Variance analysis with activity-based costing and batch-level direct costs, Electric Eels Company produces high quality electric eels for Museums and Aquaria to sell in their gift shops. It accounts for the production of these eels with an ABC system. For 2009, Electric Eels expected to produce and sell 16,000 units, but actual output was only 15,000 units. You are a new management accountant at the company. You have been asked to calculate the variances for the batch-level costs. The two main batch-level costs are setup and quality inspection. Quality inspection is driven by inspection hours, and setup is driven by the number of setup hours.

1. Calculate the flexible-budget, price, and efficiency variances for both batch activities.

2. Write a short memo to your boss, the Controller, explaining the variances that you calculated.

Quality Inspection 120 10 Setup 100 Static-Budget: Batch size (units per batch) Cost driver (hours) per batch Cost per hour $10.75 S17.50 Actual Result: Batch size (units per batch) Cost driver (hours) per batch Cost per hour 75 100 $15.50 $12.00