Turftime Company’s management is trying to decide whether to eliminate Department Z, which has produced low profits or losses for several years. The company’s 2011 departmental income statement shows the following.

TURFTIME COMPANY

Departmental Income Statements

For Year Ended December 31, 2011

 

 

Dept. A

Dept. Z

 

Combined

Sales

$350,000

$87,500

$437,500

Cost of goods sold

230,650

62,550

293,200

Gross profit

119,350

24,950

144,300

Operating expenses

 

 

 

Direct expenses

 

 

 

Advertising

13,500

1,500

15,000

Store supplies used

2,800

700

3,500

Depreciation—Store equipment

7,000

3,500

10,500

Total direct expenses

23,300

5,700

29,000

Allocated expenses

 

 

 

Sales salaries

35,100

11,700

46,800

Rent expense

11,040

2,760

13,800

Bad debts expense

10,500

2,000

12,500

Office salary

10,400

2,600

13,000

Insurance expense

2,100

700

2,800

Miscellaneous office expenses

850

1,250

2,100

Total allocated expenses

69,990

21,010

91,000

Total expenses

93,290

26,710

120,000

Net income (loss)

$ 26,060

$ (1,760)

$ 24,300

In analyzing whether to eliminate Department Z, management considers the following items:

a. The company has one office worker who earns $250 per week or $13,000 per year and four salesclerks who each earn $225 per week or $11,700 per year.

b. The full salaries of three salesclerks are charged to Department A. The full salary of one salesclerk is charged to Department Z.

c. Eliminating Department Z would avoid the sales salaries and the office salary currently allocated to it. However, management prefers another plan. Two salesclerks have indicated that they will be quitting soon. Management believes that their work can be done by the two remaining clerks if the one office worker works in sales half time. Eliminating Department Z will allow this shift of duties. If this change is implemented, half the office worker’s salary would be reported as sales salaries and half would be reported as office salary.

d. The store building is rented under a long term lease that cannot be changed. Therefore, Department A will use the space and equipment currently used by Department Z.

e. Closing Department Z will eliminate its expenses for advertising, bad debts, and store supplies; 65% of the insurance expense allocated to it to cover its merchandise inventory; and 30% of the miscellaneous office expenses presently allocated to it.

Required

1. Prepare a three column report that lists items and amounts for (a) the company’s total expenses (including cost of goods sold) — in column 1, (b) the expenses that would be eliminated by closing Department Z — in column 2, and (c) the expenses that will continue — in column 3.

2. Prepare a forecasted annual income statement for the company reflecting the elimination of Department Z assuming that it will not affect Department A’s sales and gross profit. The statement should reflect the reassignment of the office worker to one half time as a salesclerk.

3. Reconcile the company’s combined net income with the forecasted net income assuming that Department Z is eliminated (list both items and amounts). Analyze the reconciliation and explain why you think the department should or should not be eliminated.