Refer to the solution for the module problem. What do the four direct cost variances and flexible budget analysis, taken as a whole, tell you about the production process during July? What recommendations do you have for management? Hint: do not analyze the variances one by one. Try to look at them in relation to each other.

Merlin makes fireworks to be sold around the world. The standard costs for the most popular product, the Druid Rocket that initially looks like a green tree, with leaves that turn red and gold and then drop to the ground, is as follows: 10 DM (5.6 pounds of gunpowder @ $5 per pound) $28 DL (30 minutes @ $20/hour) VOH (2 MH @ 4.5/hour) FOH (2 MH @ 15.50/hour) 31 TOTAL COST $78 9 The DM price standard was computed based on the desired quality of gunpowder and includes an expected quantity discount. Shipping and import fees are paid for by the supplier. A use of hazardous materials fee is assessed by the government. The DM quantity standard is based on the amount required to fill the chamber with the exact right combination of colours. Any carelessness in production can cause explosions. Also, if the colours are not precisely correct, the rockets fail the quality control inspection. The DL rate standard is based on the average hourly wage adjusted for benefit, which are very liberal in this firm. The DL quantity standard is based on the amount of time required to fill and seal the chamber. There is an adjustment for productivity failures, as well as explosion before sealing and quality control failures. During the month of July, the firm produced 15,200 of the Druid Rockets. Direct labor hours related to this product were 7,210 for a total cost of $148,400. During July, 432,500 pounds of gunpowder was purchased at a total cost of $2,194,500. Gunpowder used for Druid Rockets was 90,120 pounds. The firm applies overhead on the basis of machine hours. During July, a total of 143,500 machine hours were worked. The overhead rates are based on expected production requiring 150,000 machine hours. The budgeted amounts for variable overhead were: Cleaning $150,000 Utilities 450,000 Royalties on machines 75,000 The budgeted amounts for fixed overhead were: Depreciation 754.000 Insurance 540,000 Supervisor Salary 479,000 Rent 552,000 The actual amounts for variable overhead were: Cleaning $135,200 Utilities 426,100 Royalties on machines 71,750 The DL rate standard is based on the average hourly wage adjusted for benefit, which are very liberal in this firm. The DL quantity standard is based on the amount of time required to fill and seal the chamber. There is an adjustment for productivity failures, as well as explosion before sealing and quality control failures. During the month of July, the firm produced 15,200 of the Druid Rockets. Direct labor hours related to this product were 7,210 for a total cost of $148,400. During July, 432,500 pounds of gunpowder was purchased at a total cost of $2,194,500. Gunpowder used for Druid Rockets was 90,120 pounds. The firm applies overhead on the basis of machine hours. During July, a total of 143,500 machine hours were worked. The overhead rates are based on expected production requiring 150,000 machine hours. The budgeted amounts for variable overhead were: Cleaning $150,000 Utilities 450,000 Royalties on machines 75,000 The budgeted amounts for fixed overhead were: Depreciation 754,000 Insurance 540,000 Supervisor Salary 479,000 Rent 552,000 The actual amounts for variable overhead were: Cleaning $135,200 Utilities 426,100 Royalties on machines 71,750 The actual amounts for fixed overhead were: Depreciation 754,000 Insurance 508,200 Supervisor Salary 481,000 Rent 554,200 Required: 1. Compute the two direct material variances. 2. Compute the two direct labor variances. 3. Prepare a flexible budget analysis for overhead. Do this for the firm as a whole, not just for Druid Rockets. Merlin makes fireworks to be sold around the world. The standard costs for the most popular product, the Druid Rocket that initially looks like a green tree, with leaves that turn red and gold and then drop to the ground, is as follows: 10 DM (5.6 pounds of gunpowder @ $5 per pound) $28 DL (30 minutes @ $20/hour) VOH (2 MH @ 4.5/hour) FOH (2 MH @ 15.50/hour) 31 TOTAL COST $78 9 The DM price standard was computed based on the desired quality of gunpowder and includes an expected quantity discount. Shipping and import fees are paid for by the supplier. A use of hazardous materials fee is assessed by the government. The DM quantity standard is based on the amount required to fill the chamber with the exact right combination of colours. Any carelessness in production can cause explosions. Also, if the colours are not precisely correct, the rockets fail the quality control inspection. The DL rate standard is based on the average hourly wage adjusted for benefit, which are very liberal in this firm. The DL quantity standard is based on the amount of time required to fill and seal the chamber. There is an adjustment for productivity failures, as well as explosion before sealing and quality control failures. During the month of July, the firm produced 15,200 of the Druid Rockets. Direct labor hours related to this product were 7,210 for a total cost of $148,400. During July, 432,500 pounds of gunpowder was purchased at a total cost of $2,194,500. Gunpowder used for Druid Rockets was 90,120 pounds. The firm applies overhead on the basis of machine hours. During July, a total of 143,500 machine hours were worked. The overhead rates are based on expected production requiring 150,000 machine hours. The budgeted amounts for variable overhead were: Cleaning $150,000 Utilities 450,000 Royalties on machines 75,000 The budgeted amounts for fixed overhead were: Depreciation 754.000 Insurance 540,000 Supervisor Salary 479,000 Rent 552,000 The actual amounts for variable overhead were: Cleaning $135,200 Utilities 426,100 Royalties on machines 71,750 The DL rate standard is based on the average hourly wage adjusted for benefit, which are very liberal in this firm. The DL quantity standard is based on the amount of time required to fill and seal the chamber. There is an adjustment for productivity failures, as well as explosion before sealing and quality control failures. During the month of July, the firm produced 15,200 of the Druid Rockets. Direct labor hours related to this product were 7,210 for a total cost of $148,400. During July, 432,500 pounds of gunpowder was purchased at a total cost of $2,194,500. Gunpowder used for Druid Rockets was 90,120 pounds. The firm applies overhead on the basis of machine hours. During July, a total of 143,500 machine hours were worked. The overhead rates are based on expected production requiring 150,000 machine hours. The budgeted amounts for variable overhead were: Cleaning $150,000 Utilities 450,000 Royalties on machines 75,000 The budgeted amounts for fixed overhead were: Depreciation 754,000 Insurance 540,000 Supervisor Salary 479,000 Rent 552,000 The actual amounts for variable overhead were: Cleaning $135,200 Utilities 426,100 Royalties on machines 71,750 The actual amounts for fixed overhead were: Depreciation 754,000 Insurance 508,200 Supervisor Salary 481,000 Rent 554,200 Required: 1. Compute the two direct material variances. 2. Compute the two direct labor variances. 3. Prepare a flexible budget analysis for overhead. Do this for the firm as a whole, not just for Druid Rockets