Cost Accounting Module 03 Assignment

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Module 03 Assignment Bernard J Wyant Jr Rasmussen College Author Note This research paper is being submitted on July 28, 2013, for Don Frey, A406/ACG4010 Section 01, Cost Accounting Principles and Application. Module 03 Assignment Explain how absorption costing could provide undesirable incentives to management to build inventory. Include in your assessment how to best set up absorption costing systems to avoid this incentive and what types of measures and controls should be included to assist in its prevention. Producing more units for inventory absorbs fixed manufacturing costs and increases operating income. The reason for increased operating income is the deferral of fixed manufacturing overhead contained in unsold inventory (Chapter 9: Absorption/Variable Costing, n.d.). * One motivation for an undesirable buildup of inventories could be due to the fact that a manager’s bonus is based on absorption-costing operating income. * Top management, with help from the controller and management accountants, can take several steps to reduce the undesirable effects of absorption costing. * Focus on careful budgeting and inventory planning to reduce management’s freedom to build up excess inventory. * Incorporate a “carrying charge” for inventory in the internal accounting system. * Change the period to evaluate performance. Instead of quarterly or annual horizon, evaluate the manager over a three-to-five year period. * Include nonfinancial as well as financial variables in the measure of performance evaluation (Chapter 9: Absorption/Variable Costing, n.d.). References Chapter 9: Absorption/Variable Costing. (n.d.). Retrieved July 28, 2013, from http://www.csus.edu/indiv/p/pforsichh/accountinginfo/121/Ch09%20-%20Abs, %20Var%20Costing/newCh09%20In-Class%20Problems,
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