Absorbed Overhead

Absorbed overhead (also known as applied overhead or recovered overhead) refers to the amount of overhead costs allocated to a specific production process or cost unit within an organization during an accounting period, using the technique of absorption costing.

What is Absorbed Overhead?

Absorbed overhead is the amount of overhead cost that is allocated to the production of goods in a particular accounting period, using the absorption costing technique. This method distributes indirect costs (such as utilities, rent, and administrative costs) proportionately to each unit or batch of production, based on an absorption rate that is predetermined. This cost allocation helps in estimating the actual cost of production more accurately and ensures that all overhead costs are accounted for in the valuation of the inventory and cost of goods sold.

Calculation of Absorbed Overhead:

\[ \text{Absorbed Overhead} = \text{Actual Production} \times \text{Absorption Rate} \]

The absorption rate is often determined at the beginning of an accounting period and may be based on estimated or historical data.

Examples of Absorbed Overhead

Example 1: A factory has decided its annual overhead costs (e.g., salaries of supervisors, factory rent, machinery depreciation) are approximately $120,000. If the factory expects to produce 10,000 units in the year, the absorption rate would be:

\[ \text{Absorption Rate} = \frac{$120,000}{10,000 \text{ units}} = $12 \text{ per unit} \]

If the factory produces 800 units in a month, the absorbed overhead for that month would be calculated as:

\[ \text{Absorbed Overhead} = 800 \text{ units} \times $12 \text{ per unit} = $9,600 \]

Example 2: A service company projects its overhead costs to be $200,000 annually, and it is expected to work for 20,000 billable hours. The absorption rate per billable hour is:

\[ \text{Absorption Rate} = \frac{$200,000}{20,000 \text{ hours}} = $10 \text{ per hour} \]

For a project demanding 250 hours, the absorbed overhead will be:

\[ \text{Absorbed Overhead} = 250 \text{ hours} \times $10 \text{ per hour} = $2,500 \]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between absorbed overhead and actual overhead?

Absorbed overhead is the estimated allocation of overhead costs to products, while actual overhead refers to the real indirect costs incurred during production.

Why is absorption costing important?

Absorption costing ensures that all overhead costs are captured in product costing, which aids in accurate pricing, inventory valuation, and financial reporting.

How is the absorption rate determined?

The absorption rate is typically calculated based on historical data, estimated overhead costs, and expected production volumes for a future period.

Can absorption costing result in under/over absorption of overhead?

Yes, if there is a difference between the actual overhead incurred and the absorbed overhead, it can lead to under-absorption (actual overhead > absorbed overhead) or over-absorption (actual overhead < absorbed overhead).

What is an overhead absorption rate?

The overhead absorption rate is the predetermined rate used to allocate overhead costs to products, based on a cost driver such as machine hours, labor hours, or units produced.

  • Overhead Costs: Indirect costs associated with production that cannot be directly traced to specific units like utilities, rent, and administrative salaries.
  • Absorption Costing: A costing method that assigns all manufacturing costs to products, including both variable and fixed overhead costs.
  • Production Costs: Total costs incurred during the process of producing goods or services, including direct materials, direct labor, and overhead.
  • Absorption Rate: The rate used to assign overhead costs to products, often based on estimates or historical data.

Online References

  1. Investopedia on Absorption Costing
  2. AccountingTools - Absorbed Overhead
  3. Corporate Finance Institute - Absorption Overhead

Suggested Books for Further Studies

  1. “Managerial Accounting” by Ray H. Garrison, Eric Noreen, and Peter Brewer - A comprehensive book providing in-depth insights into managerial accounting principles, including absorption costing.
  2. “Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis” by Charles T. Horngren, Srikant M. Datar, and Madhav V. Rajan - An essential book that covers various costing methods, including overhead absorption and estimation of production costs.
  3. “Horngren’s Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis” by Charles T. Horngren - A detailed exploration of cost accounting techniques and methodologies with real-world examples and applications.

Accounting Basics: “Absorbed Overhead” Fundamentals Quiz

### What is absorbed overhead? - [ ] Direct cost of production. - [x] The amount of overhead costs allocated to production during an accounting period. - [ ] The total labor cost of production. - [ ] The profit margin added to products. > **Explanation:** Absorbed overhead is the overhead cost that has been allocated to the production of goods using a predetermined absorption rate. ### How is the absorbed overhead calculated? - [ ] By multiplying actual production by direct labor cost. - [x] By multiplying actual production by the absorption rate. - [ ] By adding direct material costs to overhead. - [ ] By dividing total fixed costs by total units produced. > **Explanation:** Absorbed overhead is calculated by multiplying the actual production for the period by the absorption rate. ### Does absorption costing allocate both variable and fixed overhead costs to products? - [x] Yes - [ ] No - [ ] Only variable costs. - [ ] Only fixed costs. > **Explanation:** Absorption costing includes both variable and fixed overhead costs in the product cost. ### What can cause over-absorption? - [x] When the actual overhead is less than the absorbed overhead. - [ ] When the actual overhead exceeds the absorbed overhead. - [ ] When direct material costs decrease. - [ ] When labor productivity increases. > **Explanation:** Over-absorption occurs when the absorbed overhead (the estimated overhead) exceeds the actual overhead costs incurred. ### Which of the following is an example of an indirect overhead cost? - [ ] Direct labor. - [ ] Raw materials. - [x] Utilities for the factory. - [ ] Direct materials. > **Explanation:** Utilities for the factory are an overhead (indirect) cost that is not directly tied to a single unit of production. ### How does absorption costing impact financial reporting? - [ ] It only affects income statements with higher revenue. - [x] It captures and allocates all overhead costs into product costs, thus affecting inventory valuation and cost of goods sold. - [ ] It eliminates the need for cost of goods sold. - [ ] It increases the overall profit margin artificially. > **Explanation:** Absorption costing allocates overhead costs to products, influencing the valuation of inventory and cost of goods sold on financial statements. ### What term is also used to refer to absorbed overhead? - [x] Applied overhead. - [ ] Actual overhead. - [ ] Variable overhead. - [ ] Direct overhead. > **Explanation:** Absorbed overhead is also known as applied overhead as it refers to the overhead costs applied to production. ### What is an overhead absorption rate? - [ ] The rate at which overhead costs decrease. - [ ] The tax rate applied to company expenses. - [x] A predetermined rate used to assign overhead costs to products. - [ ] The wage rate of factory workers. > **Explanation:** The overhead absorption rate is the predetermined rate used to assign overhead costs to products based on a certain cost driver. ### What happens if actual production is higher than expected? - [x] Overhead absorption rate may need adjustment. - [ ] Fixed costs increase. - [ ] Variable costs decrease. - [ ] Direct materials cost will increase. > **Explanation:** When actual production exceeds expectations, the overhead absorption rate might need adjusting to ensure that costs are accurately spread over the greater number of units. ### Why is over/under absorption significant in cost accounting? - [x] It affects the accuracy of product costing and financial statements. - [ ] It affects only payroll calculations. - [ ] It has no real impact unless production is automated. - [ ] It directly changes the market prices of products. > **Explanation:** Over or under absorption influences how accurately product costs are reported, which in turn affects the company's financial statements and pricing strategies.

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Tuesday, August 6, 2024

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