Montana Wheat Flour Company manufactures flour by a series of three processes, beginning with wheat grain being introduced in the Milling Department. From the Milling Department, the materials pass through the Sifting and Packaging Departments, emerging as packaged refined flour. The balance in the account Work in Process—Sifting Department was as follows on May 1, 2006:

Work in Process—Sifting Department (24,000 units, 3/4 completed):

Direct materials (24,000 x $1.25) ........$30,000

Conversion (24,000 x ¾ x $0.44) ......... 7,920

$37,920

The following costs were charged to Work in Process—Sifting Department during May:

Direct materials transferred from Milling Department:

575,000 units at $1.20 a unit ........$690,000

Direct labor ................ 102,960

Factory overhead .............. 154,440

During May, 572,000 units of flour were completed. Work in Process—Sifting Department on May 31 was 27,000 units, 2/3 completed.

Instructions

1. Prepare a cost of production report for the Sifting Department for May.

2. Journalize the entries for costs transferred from Milling to Sifting and the costs transferred from Sifting to Packaging.

3. Determine the increase or decrease in the cost per equivalent unit from April to May for direct materials and conversion costs.

4. Discuss the uses of the cost of production report and the results of (3).