Two general approaches are used for valuing inventories and cost of goods sold. One approach, called absorption costing, is generally used for external reporting purposes. The other approach, called variable costing, is preferred by some managers for internal decision making and must be used when an income statement is prepared in the contribution format. This chapter shows how these two methods differ from each other. It also explains how to create segmented contribution format income statements. | Chapter 5 Variable Costing and Segment Reporting: Tools for Management Chapter 5: Variable Costing and Segment Reporting: Tools for Management Two general approaches are used for valuing inventories and cost of goods sold. One approach, called absorption costing, is generally used for external reporting purposes. The other approach, called variable costing, is preferred by some managers for internal decision making and must be used when an income statement is prepared in the contribution format. This chapter shows how these two methods differ from each other. It also explains how to create segmented contribution format income statements. Overview of Variable and Absorption Costing Direct Materials Direct Labor Variable Manufacturing Overhead Fixed Manufacturing Overhead Variable Selling and Administrative Expenses Fixed Selling and Administrative Expenses Variable Costing Absorption Costing Product Costs Period Costs Product Costs Period Costs Variable costing (also called direct . | Chapter 5 Variable Costing and Segment Reporting: Tools for Management Chapter 5: Variable Costing and Segment Reporting: Tools for Management Two general approaches are used for valuing inventories and cost of goods sold. One approach, called absorption costing, is generally used for external reporting purposes. The other approach, called variable costing, is preferred by some managers for internal decision making and must be used when an income statement is prepared in the contribution format. This chapter shows how these two methods differ from each other. It also explains how to create segmented contribution format income statements. Overview of Variable and Absorption Costing Direct Materials Direct Labor Variable Manufacturing Overhead Fixed Manufacturing Overhead Variable Selling and Administrative Expenses Fixed Selling and Administrative Expenses Variable Costing Absorption Costing Product Costs Period Costs Product Costs Period Costs Variable costing (also called direct costing or marginal costing) treats only those costs of production that vary with output as product costs. This approach dovetails with the contribution approach income statement and supports CVP analysis because of its emphasis on separating variable and fixed costs. The cost of a unit of product consists of direct materials, direct labor, and variable overhead. Fixed manufacturing overhead, and both variable and fixed selling and administrative expenses are treated as period costs and deducted from revenue as incurred. Absorption costing (also called the full cost method) treats all costs of production as product costs, regardless of whether they are variable or fixed. Since no distinction is made between variable and fixed costs, absorption costing is not well suited for CVP computations. Under absorption costing, the cost of a unit of product consists of direct materials, direct labor, and both variable and fixed overhead. Variable and fixed selling and administrative expenses are .
