Cost Behavior Analysis 23. Cost Behavior and Management OBJECTIVE 1: Define cost behavior, and...

Cost Behavior Analysis23

Cost Behavior and Management

OBJECTIVE 1: Define cost behavior, and identify variable, fixed, and mixed costs.

Figure 1: A Common Variable Cost Behavior Pattern: A Linear Relationship

Figure 2: Examples of Variable, Fixed, and Mixed Costs

Figure 3: A Common Fixed Cost Behavior Pattern

Figure 4: Behavior Patterns of Mixed Costs

Figure 5: The Relevant Range and Linear Approximation


• Cost behavior refers to the way costs respond to changes in volume or activity.


• Managers use assumptions about cost behavior in almost every decision they make.– When planning, managers use cost behavior to

determine how many units of products or services must be sold to generate a targeted amount of profit and how changes in planned activities will affect operating income.


• Managers use assumptions about cost behavior in almost every decision they make. (cont.)– When performing their duties, managers use

cost behavior to determine the impact of their decisions on operating income.

– When evaluating and reporting on performance, managers analyze how changes in costs and sales affect profitability.


• The behavior of costs– Total costs that change in direct proportion to

changes in productive output (or other volume measures) are called variable costs.

– However, on a per unit basis, variable costs remain constant as volume changes.

– Operating capacity is the upper limit of an organization’s productive output capability, given its existing resources.


• The behavior of costs (cont.)– There are three common measures of operating

capacity:• Theoretical (ideal) capacity

• Practical capacity

• Normal capacity


• The behavior of costs (cont.)– The traditional definition of variable costs

assumes that a linear relationship exists between costs and the measure of capacity chosen.

– Many costs vary with operating activity in a nonlinear fashion; this cost behavior can be approximated within the relevant range using linear approximation.


• The behavior of costs (cont.)– Fixed costs are total costs that remain constant

within a relevant range of volume or activity. Fixed unit costs vary inversely with changes in activity or volume.

– Mixed costs have both variable and fixed cost components.

• Many mixed costs vary with operating activity in a nonlinear fashion.

• Accountants use linear approximation to allow the inclusion of nonlinear costs in cost behavior analysis.

Mixed Costs and the Contribution Margin Income Statement

OBJECTIVE 2: Separate mixed costs into their variable and fixed components, and prepare a contribution margin income statement.

Figure 6: Scatter Diagram of Machine Hours and Electricity Costs

Table 1: Comparison of Income Statements

Table 2 Contribution Margin Income Statement


• Mixed costs are a combination of variable and fixed cost components.– For cost planning and control purposes, mixed

costs must be divided into their variable and fixed components.


• Engineering method– Separates costs by performing step-by-step

analysis of tasks, costs and processes involved.– Also called a time and motion study.


• Scatter diagram method– Used when there is doubt about the behavior

pattern of a particular cost.– If the diagram suggests a linear relationship, a

cost line can be imposed.


• High-low method– Three-step approach to determining variable

and fixed components.• Find the variable rate.

• Find the total fixed costs.

• Express the cost formula to estimate total costs within the relevant range.


• High-low method (cont.)– Its disadvantage is that if one or both data

points are not representative of the remaining data set, the estimate of variable and fixed costs may not be accurate.

– Its advantage is that it can be used when only limited data are available.


• Statistical methods, such as regression analysis– Mathematically describe the relationship

between costs and activities– Because all data observations are used, the

resulting linear equation is more representative of cost behavior than either the high-low or scatter diagram methods.


• Contribution margin income statements– A contribution margin income statement is

formatted to emphasize cost behavior rather than organizational functions.

– Contribution margin (CM) is the amount that remains after all variable costs are subtracted from sales.

Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis

OBJECTIVE 3: Define cost-volume-profit (C-V-P) analysis and discuss how managers use it as a tool for planning and control.


• C-V-P analysis– C-V-P analysis is an examination of the cost

behavior patterns that underlie the relationships among cost, volume of output, and profit.

– Sales Revenue – Variable Costs – Fixed Costs = Profit


• C-V-P analysis (cont.)– Tool for both planning and control.

• Can calculate net income when sales volume is known

• Can determine the level of sales need to reach a targeted amount of income.


• C-V-P analysis (cont.)– Only used under certain conditions and when

certain assumptions hold true.• The behavior of variable and fixed costs can be

measured accurately.

• Costs and revenues have a close linear approximation.

• Efficiency and productivity hold steady within the relevant range.


• C-V-P analysis (cont.)– Only used under certain conditions and when

certain assumptions hold true. (cont.)• Cost and price variables hold steady during the

period being planned.

• The product sales mix does not change during the period being planned.

• Production and sales volume are approximately equal.

Breakeven Analysis

OBJECTIVE 4: Define breakeven point and use contribution margin to determine a company’s breakeven point for multiple products.

Figure 7: Graphic Breakeven Analysis for My Media Place

Figure 8: Sales Mix for My Media Place

Breakeven Analysis

• The breakeven point is the point of zero profit, where S – VC – FC = 0.– The margin of safety is the number of sales

units or amount of sales dollars by which actual sales can fall below planned sales without resulting in a loss.

– A scatter graph can be used to make a rough estimate of the breakeven point.

Breakeven Analysis

• Contribution margin equals sales minus total variable costs.– Profit equals contribution margin minus fixed

costs.– Contribution margin per unit equals selling

price minus variable cost per unit.

Breakeven Analysis

• Contribution margin equals sales minus total variable costs. (cont.)– Breakeven point in units equals fixed costs

divided by the contribution margin per unit.– Breakeven point in sales dollars equals breakeven

point in units times the selling price per unit.

• When an organization sells more than one product, a sales mix is used to calculate the breakeven point for each product.

Using C-V-P Analysis to Plan Future Sales, Costs, and Profits

OBJECTIVE 5: Use C-V-P analysis to project the profitability of products and services.

Exhibit 1: Comparative Summary of Alternatives at My Media Place


• C-V-P analysis enables managers to determine how changes in volume, selling price, and costs will affect the profitability of a product.

• The following formula is used to determine the number of units that must be sold to produce a certain profit:– Targeted sales in units = (FC + P) ÷ (CM per

Unit)


• A service business can use C-V-P analysis to separate the mixed costs of service overhead into their variable and fixed components, calculate a breakeven point, and determine how changes in cost, volume, or price will affect the profitability of a service.

Cost Behavior Analysis 23. Cost Behavior and Management OBJECTIVE 1: Define cost behavior, and...

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