What is variable costing method?

Answer 1

method in which the costs to be inventoriedinclude only the variablemanufacturing costs. Fixed factory overhead is treated as a period cost-it is deducted along with the selling and administrative expenses in the period incurred. That is, Direct materials $xx Direct labor xx Variable factory overhead xx Product cost $xx Fixed factory overhead is treated as a period expense. Variable costing is used for internal management only. Its uses include: (1) inventory valuation and income determination; (2) relevant cost analysis; (3) break-even analysis and Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) Analysis ; and (4) short-term decision-making. Variable costing is, however, not acceptable for external reporting or income tax reporting. Companies that use variable costing for internal reporting must convert to absorption costing for external reporting. Under absorption costing, the cost to be inventoried includes all manufacturing costs, both variable and fixed. Nonmanufacturing (operating) expenses, i.e., selling and administrative expenses, are treated as period expenses and thus are charged against the current revenue. Direct materials $xx Direct labor xx Variable factory overhead xx Fixed factory overhead xx Product cost $xx Two important facts are noted: 1. Effects of the two costing methods on net income: (a) When production exceeds sales, a larger net income will be reported under absorption costing. (b) When sales exceed production, a arger net income will be reported under direct costing. (c) When sales and production are equal, net income will be the same under both methods. 2. Reconciliation of the direct and absorption costing net income figures: (a) The difference in net income can be reconciled as follows: (b) the above formula works only if the fixed overhead rate per unit does not change between the periods.