Here are the steps to calculate direct labor variances for Hanson Inc: 1. Standard hours to produce 1,000 Zippies = 1,000 x 1.5 = 1,500 hours 2. Standard direct labor cost = Standard hours x Standard rate = 1,500 hours x $10/hour = $15,000 3. Actual direct labor hours worked last week = 1,550 hours 4. Actual direct labor cost = Actual hours x Actual rate = Let's assume the actual rate is $10/hour = 1,550 hours x $10/hour = $15,500 5. Labor efficiency variance = Standard hours - Actual hours = 1,500 -

1. Standard Costing and
Variance Analysis

2. Standard and Standard Cost
 Standard is a precise measure of what should
occur if the performance is efficient.
 For example a certain number of products (say
10) in one hour by a shop floor worker is a
standard
or certain marks (absolute or
percentage) to obtain a certain grade say A.
 A worker and student is said to be efficient if
they achieve ( 8 and A) the given conditions.
 Standards are set for repetitive tasks, that is, for
work which is repeated again and again. It can
not be for the task which are not repetitive or
performed regularly or continuously.

3. Standard and Budget
 Scope of budget is as a whole activity or entire
operation i.e. Rs 5000 for producing 1000
units, on the other hand, standard are on unit
basis, say Rs 5 per unit.
 Standards are prepared by Management
Account in consultation with other people, while
budget are usually prepared by Budget
committee.
 Budgets are used for planning & coordination
purposes, whereas standards are primarily used
as control.

4. Managing Costs
Standard
cost
Actual
cost
Comparison between
standard and actual
performance
level
Cost
variance
1-4

5. Management by Exception
Amount
Managers focus on quantities and costs
that exceed standards, a practice known as
management by exception.
Standard
Direct
Labor
Direct
Material
Type of Product Cost
1-5

6. Setting Standards
Cost
Standards
Analysis of
Historical Data
Task
Analysis
1-6

7. Analysis of Historical Data
One Indicator of future costs is historical cost data.
In a mature production process, where the firm has a lot
of production experience, historical costs can provide a
good basis for predicting future costs.
Cost on the basis of behavior is used to analyze and
making predictions.
These predictions need to be adjusted to reflect
movements in price levels or technological changes in
the production process
1-7

8. Task Analysis
Another method for setting standards is task analysis,
which is the analysis of a production process to
determine what it should cost to produce a product or
service.
The emphasis shifts from what the product did cost in
the past to what it should cost in the future.
An example of task analysis is a time-and-motion study
conducted to determine how long each step performed
by direct laborers should require.
1-8

9. Participation in Setting
Standards
Accountants, engineers, personnel
administrators, and production managers
combine efforts to set standards based on
experience and expectations.
1-9

10. Perfection versus Practical
Standards: A Behavioral Issue
Should we use
practical standards
or perfection
standards?
Practical standards
should be set at levels
that are currently
attainable with
reasonable and
efficient effort.
1-10

11. Perfection Standard
 A perfection (or ideal) standard is one that can be
attained only under nearly perfect operating conditions.
 Such standard assume peak efficiency, the lowest
possible input prices, the best quality material obtainable
and no disruptions in the production due to such causes
as machine breakdowns or power failures.
 Some managers feel that such standard motivate
employees to achieve the lowest cost possible.
 They claim that since the standard is theoretically
attainable, employees will have an incentive to come as
close as possible to achieving it.
1-11

12. Practical Standard
 Standard that are as tight as practical, but still are expected to be
attained, are called practical or attainable standard.
 Such standard assume a production process that is as efficient as
practical under normal operating conditions.
 Practical standards allow for such occurrences as occasional
machine breakdowns and normal amounts of raw-material waste.
 Attaining a practical standard keeps employees on their toes,
without demanding miracles.
 Most behavioral theorist believe that such standard encourage more
positive and productive employee attitude than do perfection
standard.
1-12

13. Perfection versus Practical
Standards: A Behavioral Issue
I agree. Perfection
standards are
unattainable and
therefore discouraging
to most employees.
1-13

14. Use of Standards by
Service Organizations
 Standard cost
analysis may be used
in any organization
with repetitive tasks.
 A relationship
between tasks and
output measures
must be established.
1-14

15. Cost Variance Analysis
Standard Cost Variances
Price Variance
Quantity Variance
The difference between
the actual price and the
standard price
The difference between
the actual quantity and
the standard quantity
1-15

16. A General Model for Variance
Analysis
Actual Quantity
×
Actual Price
Actual Quantity
×
Standard Price
Price Variance
Materials price SP)
AQ(AP - variance
Labor rate variance
AQ =Variable overhead
Actual Quantity
AP = spending variance
Actual Price
Standard Quantity
×
Standard Price
Quantity Variance
Materials quantity variance
SP(AQ - SQ)
Labor efficiency variance
SP = Standard Price
Variable overhead
SQ = Standard Quantity
efficiency variance
1-16

17. A General Model for Variance
Analysis
Actual Quantity
×
Actual Price
Actual Quantity
×
Standard Price
Price Variance
Standard Quantity
×
Standard Price
Quantity Variance
Standard price is the amount that should
have been paid for the resources acquired.
1-17

18. A General Model for Variance
Analysis
Actual Quantity
×
Actual Price
Actual Quantity
×
Standard Price
Price Variance
Standard Quantity
×
Standard Price
Quantity Variance
Standard quantity is the quantity that should
have been used.
1-18

19. Standard Costs
Let’s use the concepts
of the general model to
calculate standard cost
variances, starting with
direct material.
1-19

20. Direct Material Standard
 The total amount of direct material
normally required to produce a finished
products, including allowances for normal
waste or inefficiency is called Standard
direct material quantity

21. Material Variances
Hanson Inc. has the following direct material
standard to manufacture one product:
1.5 pounds per product at $ 4.00 per pound
Last week 1,700 pounds of material were
purchased and used to make 1,000 products. The
material cost a total of $6,630.
1-21

22. Material Variances
Zippy
What is the actual price per pound
paid for the material?
a.
b.
c.
d.
$4.00 per pound.
$4.10 per pound.
$3.90 per pound.
$6.63 per pound.
1-22

23. Material Variances
What is the actual price per pound
paid for the material?
a.
b.
c.
d.
$4.00 per pound.
$4.10 per pound.
$3.90 per pound.
$6.63 per pound.
AP = $6,630 ÷ 1,700
AP = $3.90 per product
1-23

24. Material Variances
Hanson’s direct-material price variance (MPV)
for the week was:
a.
b.
c.
d.
$170 unfavorable.
$170 favorable.
$800 unfavorable.
$800 favorable.
1-24

25. Material Variances
Hanson’s direct-material price variance (MPV)
for the week was:
a.
b.
c.
d.
$170 unfavorable.
$170 favorable.
$800 unfavorable.
MPV = AQ(AP - SP)
$800 favorable. MPV = 1,700 lbs. × ($3.90 - 4.00)
MPV = $170 Favorable
1-25

26. Material Variances
The standard quantity of material that
should have been used to produce
1,000 product is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
1,700 pounds.
1,500 pounds.
2,550 pounds.
2,000 pounds.
1-26

27. Material Variances
The standard quantity of material that
should have been used to produce
1,000 = 1,000 units × 1.5 lbs per unit
Zippies is:
SQ
a.
b.
c.
d.
SQ = 1,500 lbs
1,700 pounds.
1,500 pounds.
2,550 pounds.
2,000 pounds.
1-27

28. Material Variances
Zippy
Hanson’s direct-material quantity variance
(MQV) for the week was:
a.
b.
c.
d.
$170 unfavorable.
$170 favorable.
$800 unfavorable.
$800 favorable.
1-28

29. Material Variances
Zippy
Hanson’s direct-material quantity variance
(MQV) for the week was:
MQV = SP(AQ - SQ)
MQV = $4.00(1,700 lbs - 1,500 lbs)
MQV
a. $170 unfavorable. = $800 unfavorable
b. $170 favorable.
c. $800 unfavorable.
d. $800 favorable.
1-29

30. Material Variances Summary
Actual Quantity
×
Actual Price
1,700 lbs.
×
$3.90 per lb.
Actual Quantity
×
Standard Price
1,700 lbs.
×
$4.00 per lb.
$6,630
Price variance
$170 favorable
$ 6,800
Standard Quantity
×
Standard Price
1,500 lbs.
×
$4.00 per lb.
$6,000
Quantity variance
$800 unfavorable
1-30

31. Material Variances
Hanson purchased and
used 1,700 pounds.
How are the variances
computed if the amount
purchased differs from
the amount used?
Zippy
The price variance is
computed on the entire
quantity purchased.
The quantity variance is
computed only on the
quantity used.
1-31

32. Material Variances
Hanson Inc. has the following material
standard to manufacture one Zippy:
1.5 pounds per Zippy at $4.00 per pound
Last week 2,800 pounds of material were
purchased at a total cost of $10,920, and
1,700 pounds were used to make 1,000
Zippies.
1-32

33. Material Variances
Actual Quantity
Purchased
×
Actual Price
2,800 lbs.
×
$3.90 per lb.
Zippy
Actual Quantity
Purchased
×
MPV = AQ(AP - SP)
Standard Price
MPV = 2,800 lbs.
× ($3.90 - 4.00)
2,800 lbs.
MPV = $280
×
Favorable
$4.00 per lb.
$10,920
Price variance
$280 favorable
$11,200
Price variance increases
because quantity
purchased increases. 1-33

34. Material Variances
MQV = SP(AQ - SQ)
MQV = $4.00(1,700 lbs
- 1,500 lbs)
MQV = $800unfavor.
Actual Quantity
Used
Standard Quantity
×
×
Standard Price
Standard Price
1,700 lbs.
×
$4.00 per lb.
$6,800
Quantity variance is
unchanged because
actual and standard
quantities are unchanged.
1,500 lbs.
×
$4.00 per lb.
$6,000
Quantity variance
$800 unfavorable
1-34

35. Isolation of Material Variances
I need the variances as soon
as possible so that I can
better identify problems
and control costs.
You accountants just don’t
understand the problems
we production managers have.
Okay. I’ll start computing
the price variance when
material is purchased and
the quantity variance as
soon as material is used.
1-35

36. Standard Costs
Now let’s calculate
standard cost
variances for
direct labor.
1-36

37. Labor Variances
Zippy
Hanson Inc. has the following direct labor
standard to manufacture one Zippy:
1.5 standard hours per Zippy at $10.00 per direct
labor hour
Last week 1,550 direct labor hours were
worked at a total labor cost of $15,810 to
make 1,000 Zippies.
1-37

38. Labor Variances
Zippy
What was Hanson’s actual rate (AR)
for labor for the week?
a.
b.
c.
d.
$10.20 per hour.
$10.10 per hour.
$9.90 per hour.
$9.80 per hour.
1-38

39. Labor Variances
Zippy
What was Hanson’s actual rate (AR)
for labor for the week?
a.
b.
c.
d.
$10.20 per hour.
$10.10 per hour.
AR = $15,810 ÷ 1,550 hours
$9.90 per hour. AR = $10.20 per hour
$9.80 per hour.
1-39

40. Labor Variances
Zippy
Hanson’s labor rate variance (LRV)
for the week was:
a.
b.
c.
d.
$310 unfavorable.
$310 favorable.
$300 unfavorable.
$300 favorable.
1-40

41. Labor Variances
Zippy
Hanson’s labor rate variance (LRV)
for the week was:
a.
b.
c.
d.
$310 unfavorable.
$310 favorable.
LRV = AH(AR - SR)
$300 unfavorable.
LRV = 1,550 hrs($10.20 - $10.00)
$300 favorable. = $310 unfavorable
LRV
1-41

42. Labor Variances
Zippy
The standard hours (SH) of labor that
should have been worked to produce
1,000 Zippies is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
1,550 hours.
1,500 hours.
1,700 hours.
1,800 hours.
1-42

43. Labor Variances
Zippy
The standard hours (SH) of labor that
should have been worked to produce
1,000 Zippies is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
1,550 hours.
1,500 hours.
1,700 hours. = 1,000 units × 1.5 hours per unit
SH
SH
1,800 hours. = 1,500 hours
1-43

44. Labor Variances
Zippy
Hanson’s labor efficiency variance (LEV)
for the week was:
a.
b.
c.
d.
$510 unfavorable.
$510 favorable.
$500 unfavorable.
$500 favorable.
1-44

45. Labor Variances
Zippy
Hanson’s labor efficiency variance (LEV)
for the week was:
LEV = SR(AH - SH)
LEV = $10.00(1,550 hrs - 1,500 hrs)
a. $510 unfavorable.= $500 unfavorable
LEV
b. $510 favorable.
c. $500 unfavorable.
d. $500 favorable.
1-45

46. Labor Variances Summary
Actual Hours
×
Actual Rate
1,550 hours
×
$10.20 per hour
$15,810
Actual Hours
×
Standard Rate
1,550 hours
×
$10.00 per hour
$15,500
Rate variance
$310 unfavorable
Standard Hours
×
Standard Rate
1,500 hours
×
$10.00 per hour
$15,000
Efficiency variance
$500 unfavorable
1-46

47. Significance of Cost Variances
 Size of variance
– Amount
– Percentage of standard
What clues help me
to determine the
variances that I should
investigate?





Recurring variances
Trends
Controllability
Favorable variances
Costs and benefits of
investigation
1-47

48. Statistical Control Chart
Warning signals for investigation
Favorable Limit
•
Desired Value
•
•
•
•
•
•
Unfavorable Limit
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
•
8
•
9
Variance Measurements
1-48

49. Behavioral Impact of Standard
Costing
If I buy cheaper materials, my directmaterials expenses will be lower than
what is budgeted. Then I’ll get my bonus.
But we may lose customers because of
lower quality.
1-49

50. Controllability of Variances
Direct-Material
Price Variance
Direct-Material
Quantity Variance
Direct-Labor
Rate Variance
Direct-Labor
Efficiency Variance
1-50

51. Interaction among Variances
I am not responsible for
the unfavorable labor
efficiency variance!
You purchased cheap
material, so it took more
time to process it.
You used too much
time because of poorly
trained workers and
poor supervision.
1-51

52. Advantages of Standard Costing
Sensible Cost
Comparisons
Management by
Exception
Performance
Evaluation
Advantages
Stable Product
Costs
Employee
Motivatio
n
1-52

53. Criticisms of Standard Costing
Too aggregate,
too late
Too much focus
on direct-labor
Disadvantages
Not tied to
specific product line
Shorter product
life cycles
Focus on cost
minimization
Stable production
required
1-53

54. Adapting Standard-Costing Systems
Reduced focus
on labor
Identify Cost
Drivers
Impact of TQM
and JIT
Shorter product
life cycles
Nonfinancial
Measures
Focus on material
and overhead
Shifting cost
structures
Elimination of nonvalue added costs
Real-Time
Information Systems
Benchmarking
1-54