Cost Concepts and Classification
Cost Concepts and Classification
Cost Concepts and Classification
1
Cost concepts
Cost Concept:
Cost is defined as the amount of expenditure incurred on or
attributable to, a specified things or activity. Costs are resources
sacrificed or forgone to achieve a specific object. The term ‘cost’
is most widely used as the ‘money cost’ of production which
relates to the money expenditure of a firm on:
Wages and salaries paid to the labour.
Payment incurred on machinery and equipment.
Payment for materials, power, light, fuel, transportation etc.
Payments for rent and insurance.
Payments to Government by way of taxes.
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Cost, Expense and Loss
Cost: Cost is the exchange price of procurement of goods and services.
Cost is defined as economic sacrifice expressed in monetary value to
obtain an asset or group of assets. Such cost may be historical costs,
current costs, future cost etc.
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Classification of Costs
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification on the basis of nature or elements of expenses
Three types: 1. Material 2.Labour 3. Expenses
Material Cost: It is the cost of material of any nature used for the
purpose of production of a product or a service. It includes cost of
materials, freight inwards, taxes & duties, insurance etc directly
attributable to acquisition, but excluding the trade discounts, duty
drawbacks and refunds on account of excise duty and VAT.
Labor Cost: It means the payment made to the employees, permanent
or temporary for their services. Labor cost includes salaries and
wages paid to permanent employees, temporary employees and also
to the employees of the contractor. Here salaries and wages include
all the benefits like provident fund, gratuity, overtime, incentives...etc
Expenses: Expenses are other than material cost or labor cost which
are involved in an activity.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification on the basis of relation to Object –
Traceability
If expenditure can be allocated to a cost centre or cost object in an
economically feasible way then it is called direct otherwise the cost
component will be termed as indirect.
According to this criteria for classification, material cost is divided
into direct material cost and indirect material cost, Labor cost is
divided into direct labor and indirect labor cost and expenses into
direct expenses and indirect expenses.
A cost object is any activity or item for which costs are being
separately measured. It is a key concept used in managing the costs
of a business.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification on the basis of relation to Object – Traceability
Cost Center
A cost center is often a department within a company. Cost center refers
to those departments of the company which does not contribute in the
generation of the revenue or profits to the company but at the same time
costs are incurred by the company to operate those departments and
include departments such as the Human resource department,
accounting department, etc.
Profit Center:
A profit center is a business unit or department within an organization
that generates revenues and profits or losses. An example of a profit
center is the selling or sales department. This business segment uses
company resources like rent, sales staff salaries, and utilities to generate
revenues by selling products to customers.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification on the basis of functions or Activities
A business enterprise performs a number of functions like
manufacturing, selling, research...etc.
Costs may be required to be determined for each of these functions
and on this basis functional costs may be classified into the following
types:-
(i) Production or Manufacturing Costs - Production cost is the cost of
all items involved in the production of a product or service. These
refer to the costs of operating the manufacturing division of an
undertaking and include all costs incurred by the factory from the
receipt of raw materials and supply of labor and services until
production is completed and the finished product is packed with the
primary packing.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification on the basis of functions
(ii) Administration Costs- Administration costs are expenses incurred for
general management of an organization. Examples are Executive salaries
and bonuses, Office supplies, Salaries and wages of personnel performing
staff functions, like the accounting department, human resources, etc.
(iii) Selling & Distribution cost- Selling costs are indirect costs related to
selling of products are services and include all indirect costs in sales
management for the organization.
Distribution costs are incurred to make the saleable goods available
in the hands of the customer.
(iv) Research & Development costs- Research & development costs are the
cost for undertaking research to improve quality of a present product or
improve process of manufacture, develop a new product, market
research...etc. and commercialization thereof.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification on the basis of behavior
Costs are classified based on behavior as fixed cost, variable cost and
semi-variable cost depending upon response to the changes in the activity
levels.
Fixed Cost: Fixed cost is the cost which does not vary with the change in
the volume of activity in the short run. These are also known as period
costs. Example: Rent, Depreciation...etc.
Variable Cost: Variable cost is the cost of elements which tends to
directly vary with the volume of activity. Example: Direct labor, Outward
Freight...etc.
Semi-Variable Costs: Semi variable costs contain both fixed and variable
elements. They are partly affected by fluctuation in the level of activity.
These are partly fixed and partly variable costs and vice
versa. Example: Factory supervision, Maintenance, telephone bill etc.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification on the basis of management decision making
Ascertainment of cost is essential for making managerial decisions.
On this basis costing may be classified into the following types.
Marginal Costing: Marginal Cost is the aggregate of variable
costs, i.e. prime cost plus variable overhead. Marginal cost per
unit is the change in the amount at any given volume of output by
which the aggregate cost changes if the volume of output is increased
or decreased by one unit.
Differential Cost: Differential cost is the change in the cost due to
change in activity from one level to another.
Opportunity Cost: Opportunity cost is the value of alternatives
foregone by adopting a particular strategy or employing resources in
specific manner.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification on the basis of management decision making
Replacement Cost: Replacement cost is the cost of an asset in the
current market for the purpose of replacement. Replacement cost is
used for determining the optimum time of replacement of an
equipment or machine in consideration of maintenance cost of the
existing one and its productive capacity. This is the cost in the
current market of replacing an asset.
For example, when replacement cost of material or an asset is being
considered, it means that the cost that would be incurred if the
material or the asset was to be purchased at the current market price
and not the cost, at which it was actually purchased earlier, should be
take into account.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification on the basis of management decision making
Relevant Costs: Relevant costs are costs which are relevant for a
specific purpose or situation. In the context of decision making, only
those costs are relevant which are pertinent to the decision at hand.
Since we are concerned with future costs only while making a
decision, historical costs, unless they remain unchanged in the future
period are irrelevant to the decision making process.
Imputed Costs: Imputed costs are hypothetical or notional costs, not
involving cash outlay computed only for the purpose of decision
making. In this respect, imputed costs are similar to opportunity
costs. Interest on funds generated internally, payment for which is
not actually made is an example of imputed cost. When alternative
capital investment projects are being considered out of which one or
more are to be financed from internal funds, it is necessary to take
into account the imputed interest on own funds before a decision is
arrived at. 14
Classification of Costs
Cost classification on the basis of management decision making
Sunk Costs: Sunk costs are historical costs which are incurred i.e.
sunk in the past and are not relevant to the particular decision making
problem being considered. Sunk costs are those that have been
incurred for a project and which will not be recovered if the project
is terminated. While considering the replacement of a plant, the
depreciated book value of the old asset is irrelevant as the amount is
sunk cost which is to be written-off at the time of replacement.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification on the basis of management decision making
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification on the basis of management decision making
Managed Cost: Managed (Programmed or Discretionary) Costs all
opposed to engineering costs, relate to such items where no accurate
relationship between the amount spent on input and the output can
be established and sometimes it is difficult to measure the output.
Examples are advertisement cost, research and development costs,
etc.,
Common Costs: These are costs which are incurred collectively for a
number of cost centers and are required to be suitably apportioned
for determining the cost of individual cost cente.
Examples are:
Combined purchase cost of several materials in one consignment,
and overhead expenses incurred for the factory as a whole.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification on the basis of management decision making
Controllable and Non-Controllable Costs:
Controllable Cost is that cost which is subject to direct control at
some level of managerial supervision.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification by nature of production or process
Batch Costing:
Batch Costing is the aggregate cost related to a cost unit which
consists of a group of similar articles which maintains its identity
throughout one or more stages of production. In this method, the cost
of a group of products is ascertained. The unit cost is a batch or
group of identical products instead of a single job, order, or contract.
This method is applicable to general engineering factories which
produces components in convenient economical batches. For
example ready-made garment factory, shirts are made in suitable
batches according to size and kept in stock for sale. Cost per unit is
calculated by dividing total cost of a batch by number of units
produced in that batch.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification by nature of production or process
Process Costing: It refers to costing of process or operation involved
in converting materials into finished products. A process here refers
to a stage of production. If a product passes through different stages,
process costing is used to find out the cost of each stage or process.
The process cost per unit is derived by dividing the process cost by
number of units produced in the process during the period. Process
Costing is employed in industries where a continuous process of
manufacturing is carried out. Costs are ascertained for a
specified period of time by departments or process. Chemical
industries, refineries, gas and electricity generating concerns may be
quoted as examples of undertakings that employ process costing.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification by nature of production or process
Operating Cost: Operating cost is the cost incurred in conducting a
business activity. Operating cost refer to the cost of undertakings
which do not manufacture any product but which provide services.
Industries and establishments like power house, transport and travel
agencies, hospitals, and schools, which undertake services rather
than the manufacture of products, ascertain operating costs. The cost
units used are Kilo Watt Hour (KWH), Passenger Kilometer and Bed
in the hospital....etc.
Operation costing method constitutes a separate type of costing but it
may also be classed as a different of Process Cost since costs in this
method are usually compiled for a specified period.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification by nature of production or process
Contract Costing: Contract cost is the cost of contract with some
terms and conditions between contractee and contractor. This method
is used in undertakings, carrying out, building or constructional
contracts like constructional engineering concerns, civil engineering
contractoTk. The cost unit here is a contract, which may continue
over more than one financial year.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification by nature of production or process
Joint Costs: Joint costs are the common cost of facilities or services
employed in the output of two or more simultaneously produced or
otherwise closely related operations, commodities or services.
When a production process is such that from a set of same input two
or more distinguishably different products are produced together,
products of greater importance are termed as Joint Products and
products of minor importance are termed as By-products and the
costs incurred prior to the point of separation are called Joint Costs.
For example in petroleum industry petrol, diesel, kerosene, naphtha,
tar is produced jointly in the refinery process.
By-product Cost: By-product Cost is the cost assigned to by-products
till the split-off point.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification by time
Historical Costs: Historical Costs are the actual costs of acquiring
assets or producing goods or services.
They are post-mortem costs ascertained after they have been incurred
and they represent the cost of actual operational performance.
Historical Costing follows a system of accounting to which all values
are based on costs actually incurred as relevant from time to time.
Predetermined Costs: Pre-determined Costs for a product are
computed in advance of production process, on the basis of a
specification of all the factors affecting cost and cost data.
Predetermined Costs may be either standard or estimated.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification by time
Standard Costs: A predetermined norm applies as a scale of reference
for assessing actual cost, whether these are more or less. The
Standard Cost serves as a basis of cost control and as a measure of
productive efficiency, when ultimately posed with an actual cost.
It provides management with a medium by which the effectiveness
of current results is measured and responsibility of deviation placed.
Standard Costs are used to compare the actual costs with the standard
cost with a view to determine the variances, if any, and analyze the
causes of variances and take proper measure to control them.
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Classification of Costs
Cost classification by time
Estimated Costs: Estimated Costs of a product are prepared in
advance prior to the performance of operations or even before the
acceptance of sale ordeTk.
Estimated Cost is found with specific reference to product in
question, and the activity levels of the plant. It has no link with
actual and hence it is assumed to be less accurate than the Standard
Cost.
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Techniques of Costing
Costing is any system for assigning costs to an element of a business.
Costing is typically used to develop costs for any or all of the
following:
Customers, Distribution channels, Employees, Geographic regions,
Products, Product lines, Processes, Subsidiaries, Entire companies
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Techniques of Costing
1. Marginal costing
Marginal Costing is the ascertainment of marginal costs and of the effect
on profit of changes in volume or type of output by differentiating
between fixed costs and variable costs.
Several other terms in use like Direct Costing, Contributory Costing,
Variable Costing, Comparative Costing, Differential Costing and
Incremental Costing are used more or less synonymously with Marginal
Costing.
The term direct cost should not be confused with direct costing. In
absorption Costing, direct cost refers to the cost which is attributable to a
cost centre of cost unit (e.g., direct labour, direct material and direct
expenses including traceable fixed expenses, i.e., the fixed expense
which are directly chargeable). In Direct Costing (or Marginal Costing),
factory variable overhead is taken as a direct cost while in the
Absorption Cost Method, it is Indirect Cost.
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Techniques of Costing
2. Standard Costing
Standard Costing is defined as the preparation and use of
standard cost, their comparison with actual costs and the
measurement and analysis of variances to their causes and points of
incidence.
Standard Cost is a predetermined cost unit that is calculated from the
management’s standards of efficient operation and the relevant
necessary expenditure. Standard Costs are useful for the cost
estimation and price quotation and for indicating the suitable cost
allowances for products, process and operations but they are
effective tools for cost control only when compared with the actual
costs of operation.
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Techniques of Costing
3. Uniform Costing
Uniform Costing may be defined as the application and use of
the same costing principles and procedures by different Organizations
under the same management or on a common understanding between
members of an association. It is thus not a separate technique or
method.
It simply denotes a situation in which a number of organizations may
use the same costing principles in such a way as to produce costs
which are of the maximum comparability. From such comparable
costs valuable conclusions can be drawn. When the Uniform Costing
is made use of by the different concerns the same management it
helps to indicate the strengths and/or weaknesses of those concerns.
By studying the findings, appropriate corrective steps may be taken to
improve the overall efficiency of the organizations.
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Techniques of Costing
4. Historical Costing
It is ascertainment of costs after they have been incurred. It aims at
ascertaining costs actually incurred on work done in the past. It has
a limited utility, though comparisons of costs over different periods
may yield good results.
5. Direct Costing
It is the practice of charging all direct costs, variable and some
fixed costs relating to operations, processes or products leaving all
other costs to be written off against profits in which they arise.
6. Absorption Costing
It is the practice of charging all costs, both variable and fixed to
operations, processes or products. This differs from marginal
costing where fixed costs are excluded. Any of the methods of
costing like unit or output costing, service costing, process costing
etc. can be used under any techniques of costing.
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Methods of Costing
Methods and Techniques of Costing
Costing methods are use to ascertain the cost of product or
services. For example- job costing, process costing, contract costing
etc. While costing techniques are used to control and minimize the
cost. Examples of costing techniques are -Activity Costing (ABC),
Marginal Costing etc..
Methods of Costing - Used to ascertain the cost of output -
Final output of intermediary output (i.e. Product, Service,
Job, Contract, etc.)
There are various methods of costing such as –
1. Process Costing, 2. Job Costing,
3. Contract Costing, 4. Service(Operations) Costing, 5. Batch
Costing, 6. Multiple Costing
(Combination of two or more of the above methods in case of a complex
production system.
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Methods of Costing
Methods and Techniques of Costing
Techniques of Costing - Used to control and reduce the cost
of output - Final output of intermediary output (i.e. Product, Service,
Job, Contract, etc.)
There are various techniques of costing such as –
1. Activity Based Costing(ABC),
2. Marginal Costing,
3. Absorption Costing,
4. Historical Costing,
5. Direct Costing
6. Standard Costing.
Different company's may use different methods or techniques with variations
to suit their industry or business & other practical considerations. The
whole purpose of use/application of any costing method or technique is to
ascertain the output cost on regular basis and strive for control and
reduction of cost with out hampering the quality of the product.
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Methods of Costing
Methods to be used for the ascertainment of cost of production differ
from industry to industry. It primarily depends on the manufacturing
process and also on the methods of measuring the departmental output
and finished products. Basically, there are two methods of costing
specific Order Costing (or Job/Terminal Costing) and operation
Costing (or Process or Period Costing.)
Specific Order Costing is the category of basic costing methods
applicable where the work consists of separate jobs, batches or
contracts each of which is authorized by a specific order or contract.
Job costing, batch costing and contract costing are included in this
category.
Operation Costing is the category of basic costing methods applicable
where standardized goods or services result from a sequence of
repetitive and more or less continuous operations or process to which
costs are charged before being averaged over units produced during the
period.
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Methods of Costing
All these methods are discussed briefly as under:
1. Job Costing:
Under this method, costs are collected and accumulated for each
job, work order or project separately. Each job can be separately
identified; so it becomes essential to analyze the cost according to
each job. A job card is prepared for each job for cost
accumulation. This method is applicable to printers, machine tool
manufacturers, foundries and general engineering workshops.
2. Contract Costing:
When the job is big and spread over long periods of time, the
method of contract costing is used. A separate account is kept for
each individual contract. This method is used by builders, civil
engineering contractors, constructional and mechanical
engineering firms etc.
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Methods of Costing
All these methods are discussed briefly as under:
3. Batch Costing:
This is an extension of job costing. A batch may represent a number
of small orders passed through the factory in batch. Each hatch is
treated as a unit of cost and separately costed. The cost per unit is
determined by dividing the cost of the batch by the number of units
produced in a batch. This method is mainly applied in biscuits
manufacture, garments manufacture and spare parts and components
manufacture.
4. Process Costing:
This is suitable for industries where production is continuous,
manufacturing is carried on by distinct and well defined processes,
the finished products of one process becomes the raw material of the
subsequent process, different products with or without byproducts are
produced simultaneously at the same process and products produced
during a particular process are exactly identical.
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Methods of Costing
All these methods are discussed briefly as under:
As finished products are obtained at the end of each process, it will
be necessary to ascertain not only the cost of each process but also
cost per unit at each process. A separate account is opened for
each process to which all expenditure incurred thereon is charged.
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Methods of Costing
5. Service (or Operating) Costing:
This is suitable for industries which render services as distinct from
those which manufacture goods. This is applied in transport
undertakings, power supply companies, municipal services,
hospitals, hotels etc. This method is used to ascertain the cost of
services rendered. There is usually a compound unit in such
undertakings, e.g., tonne kilometre (transport undertaking), kilowatt-
hour (power supply) and patient day (hospitals).
6. Multiple Costing:
It represents the application of more than one method of costing in
respect of the same product. This is suitable for industries where a
number of component parts are separately produced and
subsequently assembled into a final product. In such industries each
component differs from the others as to price, material used and
process of manufacture undergone. So it will be necessary to
ascertain the cost of each component.
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Methods of Costing
For this purpose, process costing may be applied. To ascertain the
cost of the final product batch costing may be applied. This
method is used in factories manufacturing cycles, automobiles,
engines, radios, typewriters, airplanes and other complex products.
This method has been dropped from the latest CIMA Terminology.
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By grouping the above elements of cost, the
following divisions of cost are obtained
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Illustration 1. Find the Prime Cost, Works Cost, Cost of
production, total Cost and profit from the following:- Direct
Materials Tk.20000; Direct Labour Tk. 10000; Factory Expenses
Tk. 7000; Administration Expenses Tk. 5000; Selling Expenses
Tk. 7000 and Sales Tk.60,000.
Solution:
1.Prime Cost = Direct Materials + Direct Labour
= Tk.20,000 + Tk.10,000 = Tk.30,000.
2. Works Cost = Prime Cost + Factory Expenses
= Tk.30,000 + Tk.7,000 = Tk.37,000.
3. Cost of Production = Works Cost + Administration Expenses
=Tk.37000+ Tk.5, 000 = Tk.42, 000.
4. Total Cost /Cost of sales= Cost of Production + Selling Expense
= Tk.42, 000+ Tk.7, 000 = Tk.49, 000.
5. Profit = Sales - Total Cost = Tk.60,000 - Tk.49,000=Tk.11, 000.
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Cost sheet or Statement of Cost: When costing information is
set out in the form of a statement, it is called “Cost Sheet”. It is
usually adopted when there is only one main product and all costs
almost are incurred for that product only. The information
incorporated in a cost sheet would depend upon the requirement
of management for the purpose of control.
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Illustration 2: Calculate Prime Cost, Factory Cost, Cost of
Production, Cost of Sales and profit from the following
particulars:
Particular Tk. Tk.
Direct Materials 100000 Consumable stores 2500
Direct Wages 3000 Manager’s Salary 5000
Wages of Foreman 2500 Directors’ fees 1250
Electric power 500 Office Stationery 500
Lighting: Factory 1500 Telephone Charges 125
Office 500 Postage and Telegrams 250
Storekeeper’s wages 1000 Salesmen’s salary 1250
Oil and water 500 Travelling expenses 500
Rent: Factory 5000 Advertising 1250
Office 2500 Warehouse charges 500
Repairs and Renewals: Sales 189500
Factory plant 3500 Carriage outward 375
Transfer to Reserves 1000 Dividend 2000
Discount on shares written off 500
Depreciation: Factory Plant 500
Office Premises 1250
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Solution
STATEMENT OF COST AND PROFIT
Tk. Tk
Direct Materials 1,00,000
Direct Wages 30,000 …............
Prime Cost 1,30,000
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Cost sheet
A cost sheet is a report on which is accumulated all of the costs
associated with a product or production job. A cost sheet is used to
compile the margin earned on a product or job, and can form the basis
for the setting of prices on similar products in the future. It can also
be used as the basis for a variety of cost control measures.
Advantages of a cost sheet
1. It helps to ascertain total cost an d cost per unit .
2. Costs are classified under proper headings and presented in a
logical order .
3. It enables inter -firm and intra-firm comparison of costs.
4. It helps in price fixation.
5. It helps to ascertain profit or loss for a period.
6. It helps in preparing tenders and quotations.
7. It helps in preparing budgets.
8. It enables close watch over cost f or cost control.
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Illustration: The following information obtained from the books of accounts
of ABC Ltd. For the year ended 31.12.208
Particulars Debit Credit Particulars Debit Credit
Inventories : Tk. Tk. Direct Expense 50000
Raw Materials 140000 Indirect labour 18000
Work in process 2,00,000 Factory suppervion 10000
Finished Stock 80,000 Factory repairs and upkeen 14000
office appliances 17500 Heat, Light and power 65000
Plant and mechinary 460500 Rates and taxes 6300
Miscellenious expense
Buildings 200000 18700
(Factory)
Requirement:
A. Prepare a cost sheet of ABC Ltd. For the year ended 31.12.2018 showing
i. Prime Cost
ii. Factory overheads
iii. Cost of production
iv. Cost of sales
B. Also show profit or loss as per cost accounts for the above period.
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ABC Ltd.
Cost Sheet
Statement of Cost
Materials Consumed : Tk. Tk. Tk.
Opening inventory 140000
Add: Materials Purchased (gross) 3,20,000
Less: Returns 4800
Materials Purchased (net) 3, 15, 200
Add: Freight 16,000
Cost of Materials at works 331,200
Total Materials for cosumed 4,71,200
Less: closing inventory 1,80,000 2,91,200
Direct Labour 160000
Add: Accrued 8000 168000
Dircet expenses 50000
Prime cost 509200
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Add: Factory overheads:
Indirect labour 18000
Add: Accrued 1200 19,200
Factory supervision 10000
Factory repairs and upkeen 14000
Heat, Light and power (8/10 X 65000) 52000
Rates and taxes (2/3 X6300 ) 4200
Miscellenious expense (Factory) 18700
Depreciation:
Plant (0.10 X 460500) 46050
Buildings (0.04 X 200000 X 8/10) 6400 52450 170550
Works cost before adjustment for inventories 679750
Add: opening work in Process 200000
Less: Closing work in Process 192000 8000
Works cost (net) 687750
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Add: Administrative overheads:
Heat, Light and power (1/10 X 65000) 6500
Rates and taxes (1/3 X6300 ) 2100
office salaries and expenses 8600
Depriciation:
Buildings (0.04 X 200000 X 1/10) 800
Office appliances (5/100 X 17400) 870 1670 18870
Cost of Production 706620
Add: Opening inventory of Finished stock 80000
Less: Closing inventory of Finished stock 115000 -35000
Cost of Production available for sale 671620
Add Selling and distribution overheads:
Heat, light and power (1/10 X 65000) 6500
Sales Commission 33600
Sales travelling 11000
Sales promotion 22500
Distribution Department salaries & expenses 18000
Depriciation: Buildings (0.04 X 200000 X
1/10) 800 92400
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Cost of Sales 764020
ABC Ltd.
Statement of profit and loss
For the year ended 31.12.2018
Tk. Tk.
Sales 768000
Less: Sales returns and rebates 14000
Net Sales 75400
Less: Cost of goods sale 764020
Loss 10020
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