Variable costing and absorption costing the All-Fixed Company. It is the end of 2009. The All-Fixed Company began operations in January 2008. The company is so named because it has no variable costs. All its costs are fixed; they do not vary with output. The All-Fixed Company 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 paid fixed annual salaries. The output of the plant can be increased or decreased by adjusting a few dials on a control panel. The following budgeted and actual data are for the operations of the All-Fixed Company. All-Fixed uses budgeted production as the denominator level and writes off any production-volume variance to cost of goods sold.

1. Prepare income statements with one column for 2008, one column for 2009, 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 in the balance sheet on December 31, 2008 and 2009, 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?

2008 10,000 tons 20,000 tons 30 per ton 2009 10,000 tons O tons S 30 per ton Sales Production Selling price Costs (all fixed): Manufacturing Operating (non-manufacturing) $280,000 $280,000 $ 40,000 S 40,000