Waltham Forestry Services (WFS) is responsible for the provision of numerous services in the Waltham region,...

 

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Waltham Forestry Services (WFS) is responsible for the provision of numerous services in the Waltham region, which is based in the north of the country Tulipan'. The services include maintenance of national parks and waste management in outdoor public recreational spaces among others. Over recent months, the Waltham region experienced hot weather, resulting in several forest fires. These hot temperatures were then followed by droughts, which left a lot of the fauna and flora dead. Residents have complained that WFS needs to invest more resources in restoring the wildlife and natural ecosystems. Prior to these events, WFS was proudly leading its new waste management program. It comprised of issuing residents with different colored bins for different types of waste across the Waltham region to facilitate recycling. The final phase was due to begin in two weeks' time. The cost of providing the new waste bins is significant but WFS' focus has been on the long-term environmental cost savings. WFS is about to begin preparing its budget for the coming 2022 financial year, which starts in one month's time. Over recent years, zero-based budgeting (ZBB) has been adopted by a number of forestry authorities across Tulipan. Given its resource constraints this year, WFS is considering whether to introduce the ZBB now. a. Describe the main steps involved in preparing a zero-based budget. [3 marks] b. Elaborate TWO (2) potential benefits of introducing ZBB at WFS. [2 marks] c. Discuss THREE (3) problems which WFS may encounter if it decides to use ZBB to prepare its budget for the coming financial year. [3 marks] WFS also runs a small retail shop. It sells hiking caps. Based on its production budget, it will need to produce 4,700 units next year. WFS needs 2 pieces of fabric to manufacture each hiking cap. The expected cost of the fabric per piece is $1.50. It does not have any required ending inventory. However, its beginning inventory constitutes 1,000 pieces of fabric. d. Calculate the budgeted quantity of fabrics WFS needs to purchase. [2 marks] Suppose we are now in 2022. WFS actually purchases 12,000 pieces of fabric at a cost of $1 per piece. e. Calculate the total variance in fabric purchase cost for WFS. [2 marks] f. Comment on whether the variance obtained in parte is adverse or favorable. Justify your answer. [1 mark] Waltham Forestry Services (WFS) is responsible for the provision of numerous services in the Waltham region, which is based in the north of the country Tulipan'. The services include maintenance of national parks and waste management in outdoor public recreational spaces among others. Over recent months, the Waltham region experienced hot weather, resulting in several forest fires. These hot temperatures were then followed by droughts, which left a lot of the fauna and flora dead. Residents have complained that WFS needs to invest more resources in restoring the wildlife and natural ecosystems. Prior to these events, WFS was proudly leading its new waste management program. It comprised of issuing residents with different colored bins for different types of waste across the Waltham region to facilitate recycling. The final phase was due to begin in two weeks' time. The cost of providing the new waste bins is significant but WFS' focus has been on the long-term environmental cost savings. WFS is about to begin preparing its budget for the coming 2022 financial year, which starts in one month's time. Over recent years, zero-based budgeting (ZBB) has been adopted by a number of forestry authorities across Tulipan. Given its resource constraints this year, WFS is considering whether to introduce the ZBB now. a. Describe the main steps involved in preparing a zero-based budget. [3 marks] b. Elaborate TWO (2) potential benefits of introducing ZBB at WFS. [2 marks] c. Discuss THREE (3) problems which WFS may encounter if it decides to use ZBB to prepare its budget for the coming financial year. [3 marks] WFS also runs a small retail shop. It sells hiking caps. Based on its production budget, it will need to produce 4,700 units next year. WFS needs 2 pieces of fabric to manufacture each hiking cap. The expected cost of the fabric per piece is $1.50. It does not have any required ending inventory. However, its beginning inventory constitutes 1,000 pieces of fabric. d. Calculate the budgeted quantity of fabrics WFS needs to purchase. [2 marks] Suppose we are now in 2022. WFS actually purchases 12,000 pieces of fabric at a cost of $1 per piece. e. Calculate the total variance in fabric purchase cost for WFS. [2 marks] f. Comment on whether the variance obtained in parte is adverse or favorable. Justify your answer. [1 mark]