Factory Overhead Idle Capacity Variance
Factory Overhead Idle Capacity Variance:
Learning Objective of the article:
- Define and explain factory overhead idle capacity variance.
- How is FOH idle capacity variance calculated?
- What are the reasons of unfavorable idle capacity variance
Definition and Explanation:
Factory overhead idle capacity variance is the difference between the budget allowance based on actual hours worked and actual hours worked multiplied by standard rate.
The idle capacity variance indicates the amount of overhead that is either under – or over absorbed because actual hours are either less or more than the hours on which the overhead rate was based. This variance is the responsibility of executive management.
Formula of Idle Capacity Variance:
Following formula/equation is used for the calculation of factory overhead idle capacity variance:
[Budgeted allowance based on actual hours worked* – (Actual hours worked × Standard overhead rate)]
*Fixed expenses budgeted + Variable expenses (actual hours worked × variable overhead rate)
Example:
Following is the flexible budget of a department of a manufacturing company.
Department 3 |
||||
Capacity | 80% | 90% | 100% | |
Standard production | 800 | 1,000 | 1,200 | |
Direct labor hours | 3,200 | 4,000 | 4,800 | |
Variable factory overhead: | ||||
Indirect labor | $1,600 | $2,000 | $2,400 | $0.50 / dlh |
Indirect materials | 960 | 1,200 | 1,440 | $0.30 |
Supplies | 640 | 800 | 960 | $0.20 |
Repairs | 480 | 600 | 720 | $0.15 |
Power and light | 160 | 200 | 240 | $0.05 |
———– | ———– | ———– | ———– | |
Total variable factory overhead | $3,840 | $4,800 | $5,760 | $1.20 per dlh |
====== | ====== | ====== | ====== | |
Fixed factory overhead: | ||||
Supervisor | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 | |
Depreciation on machinery | 700 | 700 | 700 | |
Insurance | 250 | 250 | 250 | |
Property tax | 250 | 250 | 250 | |
Power and light | 400 | 400 | 400 | |
Maintenance | 400 | 400 | 400 | |
———– | ———– | ———– | ||
Total fixed factory overhead | $3,200 | $3,200 | $3,200 | $3,200 per month |
———– | ———– | ———– | ====== | |
Total factory overhead | $7,040 | $8,000 | $8,960 | $3,200 per month + $1.20 per dlh |
====== | ====== | ====== | ====== |
Following data is also provided:
Actual factory overhead is $7,384. Actual production is 850 units of finished product. Actual hours used are 3,475 hours. 4 standard hours are allowed to complete a unit of finished product.
Required: Calculate factory overhead idle capacity variance.
Calculation of Standard Overhead Rate:
Assuming that 90% column represents normal capacity, the standard overhead rate is computed as follows:
Total variable factory overhead / Direct labor hours
= $8,000 / 4,000
= $2 per standard direct labor hour
At 90% capacity level, the rate consists of:
Total variable factory overhead / Direct labor hours
= $4,800 / 4,000
= $1.20 variable factory overhead rate
Total fixed overhead / Direct labor hours
= $3,200 / 4,000
= $0.80 fixed factory overhead rate
Total factory overhead rate at normal capacity:
($1.20 + $0.80) = $2.00
Calculation of factory overhead idle capacity variance:
Budgeted allowance based on actual hours worked: | ||
Fixed expenses budgeted | $3,200 | |
Variable expenses (3,475 actual hours worked × $1.20 variable overhead rate) | $4,170 | |
———– | $7,370 | |
Actual hours worked × Standard overhead rate (3,475 actual hours × 2 standard hours) | $6,950 | |
———– | ||
Unfavorable overhead Idle capacity variance | $420 unfav. |
Idle capacity variance consists of fixed expenses only and can also be computed as follows:
Normal capacity | 4,000 hours |
actual hours worked | 3,475 hours |
———— | |
Difference | 525 hours |
———— | |
Unfavorable Idle capacity variance (525 hours × 0.80 fixed rate) | $420 unfav. |
====== |
You may also be interested in other articles from “standard costing and variance analysis” chapter
- Standard Costs and Management By Exception
- Setting Standard Costs – Ideal Versus Practical Standards
- Direct Materials Price and Quantity Standards
- Direct Materials Price Variance
- Direct Materials Quantity Variance
- Direct Labor Rate and Efficiency Standards
- Direct Labor Rate/Price Variance
- Direct Labor Efficiency | Usage | Quantity Variance
- Manufacturing Overhead Standards
- Overall or net factory overhead variance.
- Controllable variance
- Volume variance
- Spending variance
- Idle capacity variance
- Efficiency variance
- Spending variance
- Variable efficiency variance
- Fixed efficiency variance
- Idle capacity variance
- Mix and Yield Variance – Definition and Explanation
- Materials Mix and Yield Variance
- Labor Yield Variance
- Factory Overhead Yield variance
- Variance Analysis and Management By Exception
- Managerial importance and usefulness of variance analysis
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Standard Costing System
- Standard Costing Discussion Questions and Answers
- Standard Costing and Variance Analysis Formulas
- Standard Costing and Variance Analysis Problems and Solution
- Standard Costing and Variance Analysis Case Study
Other Related Accounting Articles:
- Factory Overhead Spending Variance
- Overall or Net Factory Overhead Variance
- Standard Costing and Variance Analysis Problems & Solution
- Direct Labor Rate | Price Variance rate
- Direct Labor Standards
- Direct Labor Efficiency Variance
- Direct Materials Quantity Variance
- Standard Costing and Variance Analysis Case Study
- Direct Materials Price Variance
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Standard Costing and Variance Analysis
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