QC system was purchased for $250,000. The system consists of a minicomputer, 15
video cameras, other peripheral hardware, and software.
The new system uses cameras stationed by QC engineers at key points in the production
process. Each time an operation changes or there is a new operation, the cameras are
moved, and a new master picture is loaded into the computer by a QC engineer. The
camera takes pictures of the unit in process, and the computer compares them to the
picture of a “good” unit. Any differences are sent to a QC engineer who removes the
bad units and discusses the flaws with the production supervisors. The new system has
replaced the 10 QC inspectors with two QC engineers.
The operating costs of the new QC system, including the salaries of the QC engineers,
have been included as factory overhead in calculating the company’s plant-wide factory
overhead rate, which is based on direct labor dollars.
The company’s president is confused. His vice president of production has told him how
efficient the new system is, yet there is a large increase in the factory overhead rate. The
computation of the rate before and after is shown below.
“Three hundred percent,” lamented the president. “How can we compete with such a
high factory overhead rate?”
REQUIRED:
a. Discuss the development of factory overhead rates. Why do we need Factory
overhead rates and how are they computed? Discuss the accuracy of the computation of
a factory overhead rate.
b. Explain why the increase in the overhead rate should not have a negative impact on
Moss Point Manufacturing.
c. Explain, in the greatest detail possible, how Moss Point Manufacturing could change
its overhead accounting system to eliminate confusion over product costs.
d. Discuss how an activity-based costing system might benefit Moss Point
Manufacturing.