Break Even Analysis
Break Even Analysis
Break Even Analysis
Definition:
A calculation of the sales volume (in units) required to just cover
costs. A lower sales volume would be unprofitable and a higher
volume would be profitable. Break even analysis focuses on the
relationship between fixed cost, variable cost (or cost per units), and
selling price (or selling price per unit).
The Break Even Chart:
In its simplest form, the break even chart is a graphical representation of costs at various levels of activity shown on the same chart as the variation of income (or sales, revenue) with the same variation in
activity. The point at which neither profit nor loss is made is known as the break-even point and is represented on the chart below by the intersection of the two lines:
In the diagram above, the line OA represent the variation of income at varying
levels of production activity (output). OB represent the total fixed costs in the
business. As output increases, variable costs are incurred, meaning that total costs
(fixes + variable) also increase. At low levels of output, costs are greater than
income. At point of intersection P, costs are exactly equal to income, and hence
neither profit nor loss is made.
Definition of fixed costs
Costs that do not change when production or sales levels do change, such as rent, property tax, insurance, or interest expenses. The fixed costs are summarized for a specific time period (generally one month).
Explanation of fixed costs with example:
Fixed costs are those business costs that are not directly related to the level of production or output. In other words, even if the business has a zero output or high output the level of fixed output the level of fixed
costs will remain broadly the same. In the long term fixed costs can alter perhaps as a result of investment in production capacity (e.g. adding new factory unit) or through the growth in overheads required to
support a larger, more complex business.
Sales
Goss sales (10Rs. Per units 50 units) 500Rs.
Les COGS (7Rs. Per Units Units) 350Rs.
Nets Sales 150Rs.
Expenses
Rent 100Rs.
Insurance 50RS.
Total Expenses 150Rs.
Net Profit 0 RS.
Definition Of Break Even Point:
Break-even point is the level of sales at which profit is zero. According to this definition, at break-
even point sales are equal to fixed cost plus variable cost. This concepts is further explained by
the following equation:
[Break-even sales= fixed cost + variable cost]
The break-even point can be calculated using either the equation method or margin method.
These two method are equivalent:
Equation method:
The equation method center on the contribution approach to the income statement.
The format of this statement can be expressed is equation form as follow:
Profit = (Sales Variable expenses) Fixed Expenses
Rearranging this equation slightly yields the following equation, which is widely used in cost
volume profit (CVP) analysis:
Sales = Variable expenses + Fixed Expenses + Profit
According to the definition of break-even point, break-even point is the level of sales where profits
are zero. Therefore the break-even point can be computed by finding that point where sales just
equal the total of the variable expenses plus fixed expenses and profit is zero.