Arklan Production is upgrading its manufacturing process from a manual process to a highly automated system. Management believes that the new system will result in greater efficiencies and a better finished product. Arklan is also working on a plan to downsize staff after the implementation of the new system. Arklan has used a traditional absorption costing system to calculate unit product costs for external financial reporting.  In the past, Arklan has allocated its manufacturing overhead costs using a  predetermined plant-wide overhead rate based on direct labor hours. The controller realizes that the new system may require changing the overhead allocation process. Management plans to take the opportunity to reconsider other improvements to the costing system.    Identify and explain three benefits of using departmental overhead rates to allocate overhead costs. Explain the difference between absorption costing and variable costing. Identify which is more suitable for internal decision making and explain.

Financial And Managerial Accounting
15th Edition
ISBN:9781337902663
Author:WARREN, Carl S.
Publisher:WARREN, Carl S.
Chapter18: Activity-based Costing
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 3CMA: Young Company is beginning operations and is considering three alternatives to allocate...
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Arklan Production is upgrading its manufacturing process from a manual process to a highly automated system. Management believes that the new system will result in greater efficiencies and a better finished product. Arklan is also working on a plan to downsize staff after the implementation of the new system. Arklan has used a traditional absorption costing system to calculate unit product costs for external financial reporting.  In the past, Arklan has allocated its manufacturing overhead costs using a  predetermined plant-wide overhead rate based on direct labor hours. The controller realizes that the new system may require changing the overhead allocation process. Management plans to take the opportunity to reconsider other improvements to the costing system. 

 

  1. Identify and explain three benefits of using departmental overhead rates to allocate overhead costs.
  2. Explain the difference between absorption costing and variable costing. Identify which is more suitable for internal decision making and explain.
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