Discuss the concept of cost of goods sold. Why is it so important? What is the downside for you, as owner of the company, not knowing what your cost of goods sold on an overall, product line and/or unit basis? Please explain. 1b. As the owner of your company, why are contribution margins and contribution margin ratios important to you? Why is the break-even point important to you? If your sales are below the break-even point, would you still keep your company open? Why or why not? If you closed your doors, would you still be responsible for the payment of your fixed expenses? List some of them and state the reason why.

Cornerstones of Cost Management (Cornerstones Series)
4th Edition
ISBN:9781305970663
Author:Don R. Hansen, Maryanne M. Mowen
Publisher:Don R. Hansen, Maryanne M. Mowen
Chapter18: Pricing And Profitability Analysis
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 3DQ: How do you calculate the markup on cost of goods sold? Is the markup pure profit? Explain.
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1a. Discuss the concept of cost of goods sold. Why is it so important? What is the downside for you, as owner of the company, not knowing what your cost of goods sold on an overall, product line and/or unit basis? Please explain.

1b. As the owner of your company, why are contribution margins and contribution margin ratios important to you? Why is the break-even point important to you? If your sales are below the break-even point, would you still keep your company open? Why or why not? If you closed your doors, would you still be responsible for the payment of your fixed expenses? List some of them and state the reason why.

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Cost of goods sold (COGS) is a key concept in accounting that refers to the cost of the goods that are sold by a business. It includes all the direct costs associated with producing and selling a product, including materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead. COGS is important because it helps businesses determine their gross profit, which is the difference between their revenue and COGS. Gross profit is a key metric that businesses use to evaluate their financial performance and make important decisions such as pricing and production planning.

Not knowing your COGS on an overall, product line, and/or unit basis can have serious consequences for a business. For example, if you don't accurately track your COGS, you might set prices too low and not make enough profit to cover your expenses. This can lead to financial losses and, in extreme cases, bankruptcy. On the other hand, if you set prices too high, you might lose customers to competitors and miss out on potential sales.

Additionally, not knowing your COGS can also make it difficult for you to make informed decisions about your product line. For example, you may not be aware of which products are the most profitable and which are not, and you may be producing products that are not contributing to your bottom line. This information is crucial for determining the future direction of your business and making informed investment decisions.

In summary, accurate tracking of COGS is essential for a business to understand its financial performance, make informed decisions, and remain competitive in the marketplace.

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ISBN:
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Don R. Hansen, Maryanne M. Mowen
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