Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis, 6e
Chapter 15 – Cost Allocation: Joint Products and Byproducts
55) Wharf Fisheries processes many of its seafood items to the demands of its largest customers, most of
which are large retail distributors. To keep the accounting system simple it has always assigned cost by
the weight of the finished product. However, with increased competition it has had to watch its prices
closely and in recent years several items have incurred zero profit margins. After several weeks of
investigation, your consulting firm has found that while weight is important in processing of seafood,
numerous items have very distinct processing steps and some items are processed through more steps
than others.
Required:
Based on the findings of your consulting firm, what changes might you recommend to the company in
the way of cost allocation among its products?
56) Paragon University operates an extensive and an expensive registration, testing, and counselling
centre, through which all students are required to pass through when they enter the university. The
registration effort’s costs (for the most part) are almost impossible to allocate based upon which students
require time, effort, etc. The cost of this centre is approximately 15% of the total costs of Paragon. This
department engages in no other activities than the registration of students. Paragon is interested in
determining the profitability of the three technical departments it operates. Paragon has the perception
that some departments are more profitable than others, and it would like to determine an appropriate
method of allocating the costs of this registration centre.
Required:
Recommend to Paragon University a method (or methods) of allocating the costs of registration to
the three departments.