Question 1: Prepare a variance analysis report based on the information in Exhibit 1. Would this be sufficient to explain the profit shortfall to Norton at the 8 AM meeting? Variance Analysis:
Revenues Expenses Operating profit Profit percentage
Actual Results 3264000 2967610 296390 9.08%
Budget 3231900 2625550 606350 18.76%
Variance 32100 342060 -309960 -9.7%
Favorable / UnFavorable F U U U
This information would not be sufficient in order to explain to Norton why their profit percentage is nearly half of what they budgeted. This variance analysis report not provide any details to why they spent more on expenses than what they budgeted.
Question 2: Prepare a variance analysis report based on the information in Exhibit 2.
Revenue Less: Consultant’s salaries and fringes Operating expenses Total expenses Operating profit Profit % Operating Statistics Number of consultants (FTE) Hours supplied Hours billed Average billing rate
Actual $3,264,000
Budget $3,231,900
Variance 32,100
$2,029,050 938,560 $2,967,610 $ 296,390
$1,748,250 877,300 $2,625,550 $ 606,350
280,800 62,260 342,060 309,960
9.1%
18.8%
113 50,850 39,000 $83.69
105 47,250 35,910 $90.00
9.7 8 (F) 3600(F) 3090(F) 6.31
Key observation: Actual billing rate has decreased, though no. of hours billed has increased. We can also calculate 1. Billing variance (equivalent to price variance) = ($ 83.69 - $ 90.00) *39,000 = $ -246,090 (U) 2. Quantity Variance = (39,000 – 35910) * 90 = $278100 (F)
Question 3: Prepare a spending and volume variance analysis of operating expenses based on the additional information supplied in Exhibit 3. Exhibit 3 Expense Items: Budget Q2 2000 Actual FIXED
Advertising and promotion istrative and staff Information systems Depreciation Dues and subscriptions ` Education and training Equipment leases Insurance Professional services Office expenses Office supplies Postage Rent- real estate Telephone Travel and entertainment Utilities Total
$22,100 45,000 25,240 23,400 2360 7240 17625 33,600 39,500 0 17240 5460 17,260 0 0 19950 $375975
Budget VARIABLE FIXED
0 80,000 100,960 0 9440 28,960 5875 0 0 42,100 68960 21840 0 40,000 57,800 6650 $562585
$15,100 38250 24,000 22,700 2620 7780 16830 32,200 34,700 0 17920 4940 117,260 0 0 18000 $352300
% Variable VARIABLE
0 153000 96000 0 10480 31120 5610 0 0 36,550 71680 19760 0 38,500 56,300 6000 $525000
0% 80 80 0 80 80 25 0 0 100 80 80 0 100 100 25
Variable OH Spending Variance = ($ 562585 - $ 525000)= $ 37585 Fixed OH Volume Variance = ($ 375975 - $ 352300)= $ 23675 Both Spending and Volume variance for the overhead expenses has gone beyond the budgeted amount as not only the variable expenses have increased but there is a considerable increase in the fixed expenses
Question 4: Prepare an analysis of the revenue change, separating the volume effect (increase in number of consultants) from the productivity effect (billing percentage). . 50,850 * 0.76 = 38,646 Revenue = No. of Consultants * 450 * Hours billed / Hours available * Average billing rate 113 * 450 * 38,646/50850 * 90 = 3,478,140 113 * 450 * 39000/50850 * 90 = 3,510,000 Variance = 3,510,000 - 3,478,140 = 31860
Question 5: Prepare an analysis of actual versus budgeted revenues, consultant expenses, and margins using the additional information supplied in Exhibit 4. Contract
Solutions
Total
Actual Number of consultants (FTE)
64
49
113
Billed hours
24,000
15,000
39,000
Billed revenues
1,344,000
1,920,000
3,264,000
Hours supplied
28,800
22,050
50,850
Consultant costs
1,036,800
992,250
2,029,050
Number of consultants (FTE)
56
49
105
Billed hours
20,160
15,750
35,910
Billed revenues
1,088,640
2,143,260
3,231,900
Hours supplied
25,200
22,050
47,250
Consultant costs
756,000
992,250
1,748,250
Budget
SOLUTION: