Difference of Absorption and Marginal Costing

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Subject – Absorption and Marginal Costing To: Managing Director Date: Thursday, September 24, 15 Dear Managing Director, As requested in this report I will be explaining the difference between Absorption and Marginal costing also in what circumstances that these methods can be used. Absorption costing also known as “full costing” is both variable and fixed production overheads that are included in the unit cost. All production overheads are allocated and apportioned to production cost centres then absorbed into the cost of production on a suitable basis. Under absorption costing the fixed overhead is absorbed into the cost of units produced in the period, the full production cost of the units sold in the period is charged to the statement of profit or loss and part of cost of sales. If the inventory levels are rising between the beginning and end of the accounting period then absorption costing will give a higher profit. You can use Absorption in situations such as providing more accurate picture of profitability as this method takes into account all of the costs of production, this can be helpful for the company management in evaluating profit and determining prices for products. Marginal costing also known as “variable costing” is unit cost that includes only variable production costs. The cost of the products is just the variable cost of production. All fixed production costs are charged as a period cost in the statement of profit or loss. Fixed costs can be the same regardless of the output therefore it makes sense to charge them in full as a period cost. In the rules for inventory and profit is the inventory levels are falling between the beginning and end of the accounting period then the marginal costing give the higher profit. You can use this method is circumstances such as for decision making, this allows the management attention

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