It is the end of 2015. The All-Fixed Company began operations in January 2014. The company is so named because it has no variable costs. All its costs are fixed.

All-Fixed is located on the bank of a river and has its own hydroelectric plant to supply power, light, and heat. The company manufactures a synthetic fertilizer from air and river water and sells its product at a price that is not expected to change. It has a small staff of employees, all hired on a fixed annual salary. The output of the plant can be increased or decreased by adjusting a few dials on a control panel. Management adopted the policy, effective January 1, 2015, of producing only as much product as was needed to fill sales orders. During 2015, sales were the same as 2014 and were filled entirely from beginning inventory at the start of 2015.

The following are data regarding the operations of The All-Fixed Company:

20142015

Sales (tonnes)...........................10,000.........10,000

Production (tonnes).....................20,000................0

Selling price per tone......................$ 30.............$ 30

Costs (all fixed):

Manufacturing.......................$280,000.......$280,000

Marketing and administrative......$ 40,000.......$ 40,000

Required

1. Prepare operating statements of comprehensive income with one column for 2014, one column for 2015, and one column for the two years together, using (a) variable costing and (b) absorption costing.

2. What is the breakeven point under (a) variable costing and (b) absorption costing?

3. What inventory costs would be carried on the statement of financial position at December 31, 2014, and 2015, under each method?

4. Assume that the performance of the top manager of the company is evaluated and rewarded largely on the basis of reported operating income. Which costing method would the manager prefer? Why?