Including variable costs. Does it make sense to divide costs into variable and fixed? Total and specific costs

Cost price- the initial cost of the costs incurred by the enterprise for the production of a unit of product.

Price- the monetary equivalent of all types of costs including some types of variable costs.

Price- the market equivalent of the generally accepted cost of the product offered.

Production costs- these are expenses, monetary expenditures that must be made to create. For (the company) they act as payment for purchased goods.

Private and public costs

Costs can be viewed from different perspectives. If they are examined from the point of view of an individual firm (individual producer), we are talking about private costs. If costs are analyzed from the point of view of society as a whole, then, as a consequence, there arises the need to take into account social costs.

Let us clarify the concept of external effects. In market conditions, a special purchase and sale relationship arises between the seller and the buyer. At the same time, relationships arise that are not mediated by the commodity form, but have a direct impact on people’s well-being (positive and negative external effects). An example of positive external effects is expenses for R&D or training of specialists; an example of a negative external effect is compensation for damage from environmental pollution.

Social and private costs coincide only if there are no external effects, or if their total effect is equal to zero.

Social costs = Private costs + Externalities

Fixed Variables and Total Costs

Fixed costs- this is a type of cost that an enterprise incurs within one. Determined by the enterprise independently. All these costs will be typical for all product production cycles.

Variable costs- these are types of costs that are transferred to the finished product in full.

General costs- those costs incurred by the enterprise during one stage of production.

General = Constants + Variables

Opportunity Cost

Accounting and economic costs

Accounting costs- this is the cost of the resources used by the company in the actual prices of their acquisition.

Accounting costs = Explicit costs

Economic costs- this is the cost of other benefits (goods and services) that could be obtained with the most profitable possible alternative use of these resources.

Opportunity (economic) costs = Explicit costs + Implicit costs

These two types of costs (accounting and economic) may or may not coincide with each other.

If resources are purchased in a free competitive market, then the actual equilibrium market price paid for their acquisition is the price of the best alternative (if this were not the case, the resource would go to another buyer).

If resource prices are not equal to equilibrium due to market imperfections or government intervention, then actual prices may not reflect the cost of the best rejected alternative and may be higher or lower than opportunity costs.

Explicit and implicit costs

From the division of costs into alternative and accounting costs follows the classification of costs into explicit and implicit.

Explicit costs are determined by the amount of expenses for paying for external resources, i.e. resources not owned by the firm. For example, raw materials, materials, fuel, labor, etc. Implicit costs are determined by the cost of internal resources, i.e. resources owned by the firm.

An example of an implicit cost for an entrepreneur would be the salary that he could receive as an employee. For the owner of capital property (machinery, equipment, buildings, etc.), previously incurred expenses for its acquisition cannot be attributed to the explicit costs of the present period. However, the owner incurs implicit costs, since he could sell this property and put the proceeds in the bank at interest, or rent it out to a third party and receive income.

Implicit costs, which are part of economic costs, should always be taken into account when making current decisions.

Explicit costs- These are opportunity costs that take the form of cash payments to suppliers of factors of production and intermediate goods.

Explicit costs include:

• workers' wages
• cash costs for the purchase and rental of machines, equipment, buildings, structures
• payment of transportation costs
• communal payments
• payment to suppliers of material resources
• payment for services of banks, insurance companies

Implicit costs- these are the opportunity costs of using resources owned by the company itself, i.e. unpaid expenses.

Implicit costs can be represented as:

• cash payments that a company could receive if it uses its assets more profitably
• for the owner of capital, implicit costs are the profit that he could have received by investing his capital not in this, but in some other business (enterprise)

Returnable and sunk costs

Sunk costs are considered in a broad and narrow sense.

In a broad sense, sunk costs include those expenses that a company cannot return even if it ceases its activities (for example, costs of registering a company and obtaining a license, preparing an advertising sign or company name on the wall of a building, making seals, etc. .). Sunk costs are like a company's payment for entering or leaving the market.

In the narrow sense of the word sunk costs are the costs of those types of resources that have no alternative use. For example, the costs of specialized equipment manufactured to order from the company. Since the equipment has no alternative use, its opportunity cost is zero.

Sunk costs are not included in opportunity costs and do not influence the firm's current decisions.

Fixed costs

In the short run, some resources remain unchanged, while others change to increase or decrease total output.

In accordance with this, short-term economic costs are divided into fixed and variable costs. In the long run, this division becomes meaningless, since all costs can change (that is, they are variable).

Fixed costs- These are costs that do not depend in the short term on how much the firm produces. They represent the costs of its constant factors of production.

Fixed costs include:

• payment of interest on bank loans;
• depreciation deductions;
• payment of interest on bonds;
• salary of management personnel;
• rent;
• insurance payments;

Variable costs

Variable costs- These are costs that depend on the volume of production of the company. They represent the costs of the firm's variable factors of production.

Variable costs include:

• fare
• electricity costs
• raw materials costs

From the graph we see that the wavy line depicting variable costs rises with increasing production volume.

This means that as production increases, variable costs increase:

General (gross) costs

General (gross) costs- these are all the costs at a given time necessary for a particular product.

Total costs (total cost) represent the firm's total expenses for paying for all factors of production.

Total costs depend on the volume of output and are determined by:

• quantity;
• market price of the resources used.

The relationship between the volume of output and the volume of total costs can be represented as a cost function:

which is the inverse function of the production function.

Classification of total costs

Total costs are divided into:

total fixed costs(!!TFC??, total fixed cost) - the company’s total costs for all fixed factors of production.

total variable costs(, total variabl cost) - the company’s total expenses on variable factors of production.

Thus,

At zero output (when the firm is just starting production or has already ceased operations), TVC = 0, and, therefore, total costs coincide with total fixed costs.

Graphically, the relationship between total, fixed and variable costs can be depicted, similar to how it is shown in the figure.

Graphical representation of costs

The U-shape of the short-term ATC, AVC and MC curves is an economic pattern and reflects law of diminishing returns, according to which the additional use of a variable resource with a constant amount of a constant resource leads, starting from a certain point in time, to a reduction in marginal returns, or marginal product.

As has already been proven above, marginal product and marginal costs are inversely related, and, therefore, this law of decreasing marginal product can be interpreted as the law of increasing marginal costs. In other words, this means that starting at some point in time, additional use of a variable resource leads to an increase in marginal and average variable costs, as shown in Fig. 2.3.

Rice. 2.3. Average and marginal costs of production

The marginal cost curve MC always intersects the lines of average (ATC) and average variable costs (AVC) at their minimum points, just as average product curve AP always intersects the marginal product curve MP at its maximum point. Let's prove it.

Average total costs ATC=TC/Q.

Marginal cost MS=dTC/dQ.

Let us take the derivative of average total costs with respect to Q and obtain

Thus:

• if MC > ATC, then (ATS)" > 0, and the average total cost curve of ATC increases;
• if MS< AТС, то (АТС)" <0 , и кривая АТС убывает;
• if MC = ATC, then (ATS)"=0, i.e. the function is at the extremum point, in this case at the minimum point.

In a similar way, you can prove the relationship between average variable costs (AVC) and marginal costs (MC) on the graph.

Costs and price: four models of firm development

Analysis of the profitability of individual enterprises in the short term allows us to distinguish four models of development of an individual company, depending on the ratio of the market price and its average costs:

1. If the firm’s average total costs are equal to the market price, i.e.

ATS=P,

then the firm earns “normal” profits, or zero economic profit.

Graphically this situation is depicted in Fig. 2.4.

Rice. 2.4. Normal profit

2. If favorable market conditions and high demand increase the market price so that

ATC< P

then the company receives positive economic profit, as shown in Figure 2.5.

Rice. 2.5. Positive economic profit

3. If the market price corresponds to the minimum average variable cost of the firm,

then the enterprise is located at the limit of expediency continuation of production. Graphically, a similar situation is shown in Figure 2.6.

Rice. 2.6. A firm at its limit

4. And finally, if market conditions are such that the price does not cover even the minimum level of average variable costs,

AVC>P,

It is advisable for the company to close its production, since in this case the losses will be less than if the production activity continues (more on this in the topic “Perfect competition”).

There are several classifications of costs. Most often, costs are divided into fixed and variable. We will tell you what applies to each type of cost and give examples.

What is this article about?:

Cost classification

All costs of an enterprise, according to their dependence on production volumes, can be divided into constant and variable.

Fixed costs are company expenses that do not depend on the volume of production, sales, etc. These are costs that are necessary for the normal operation of the company. For example, rent. No matter how many goods the store sells, rent is a constant amount per month.

Variable costs, on the contrary, depend on the volume of production. For example, this is the salary of salespeople, which is expressed as a percentage of sales. The more sales a company has, the more sales.

Fixed costs per unit of production decrease with an increase in production volume, and, on the contrary, increase with a decrease in sales rates. Variable costs always remain the same per unit of product.

Economists call such costs conditionally fixed and conditionally variable. For example, rent cannot be indefinitely independent of production volume. All the same, at some point the production area will not be enough and more premises will be required.

That is, we can say that semi-variable costs are directly related to the main activity, while semi-fixed costs are more related to the activities of the enterprise as a whole, to its functioning.

Download and use it:

How it will help: contains visual examples of constructing classifiers of objects, media and cost items.

Fixed costs

Conditionally fixed costs include those whose absolute value does not change significantly when the volume of output changes. That is, these costs arise even when the organization is idle. These are general business and production expenses. Such expenses will always exist as long as the enterprise carries out its economic and financial activities. They exist regardless of whether it receives income or not.

Even if an organization’s production volume does not change significantly, fixed costs can still change. Firstly, production technology is changing - it is necessary to purchase new equipment, train personnel, etc.

What is included in fixed costs (examples)

1. Salary of management personnel: chief accountant, financial director, general director, etc. The salaries of these employees are most often salary. Of course, twice a month the employees receive this money regardless of how efficiently the organization operates and whether the founders make a profit ( ).

2. Company insurance premiums from the salary of management personnel. These are mandatory payments from salary. As a general rule, contributions are 30 percent + contributions to the Social Insurance Fund for industrial and professional accidents. diseases.

3. Rent and utilities. Rental expenses do not depend in any way on the company’s profit and revenue. You are required to transfer money to the landlord monthly. If the company does not comply with this condition of the lease agreement, the owner of the premises may terminate the agreement. Then there is a possibility that the business will need to be closed for some time.

4. Credit and leasing payments . If necessary, the company borrows money from the bank. Payments to the credit institution are required every month. That is, regardless of whether the company was profitable or at a loss.

5. Spending on security. Such expenses depend on the area of ​​protected premises, the level of security, etc. But they do not depend on the volume of production.

6. Costs of advertising and product promotion. Almost every company spends money on promoting a product. Indirectly, there is a relationship between advertising and sales volume, and, accordingly, production. But it is believed that these are independent quantities from each other.

The question often arises: is depreciation a fixed or variable cost? It is believed that they are permanent. After all, the company charges depreciation every month, regardless of whether it received income or not.

Variable costs

This is a company's expenses, which are directly dependent on production volume. For example, the cost of goods. The more a company sells, the more products it purchases.

Most often, variable costs arise when a company generates revenue. After all, the company spends part of the income received on the purchase of goods, raw materials and supplies for the manufacture of products, etc.

What refers to variable costs (examples)

1. Costs of goods for resale. There is a direct relationship here: the greater the company’s sales volumes, the more goods it needs to purchase.
2. Piece-rate part of the remuneration of sellers. Most often, sales managers' salaries consist of two parts - salary and percentage of sales. Interest is a variable cost because it directly depends on sales volume.
3. Income taxes: income tax, simplified tax, etc. These payments directly depend on the profit received. If a company has no income, then it will not pay such taxes.

Why divide costs into fixed and variable?

Businesses separate fixed and variable costs to analyze performance. Based on the values ​​of these costs, the break-even point is determined. It is also called coverage point, critical production point, etc. This is a situation when a company operates “at zero” - that is, income covers all its expenses - fixed and variable.

Revenue = Fixed expenses + Total variable expenses

The higher the fixed costs, the higher the company's break-even point. This means that you need to sell more goods in order to operate at least without a loss.

Price × Volume = Fixed costs + Variable costs per unit × Volume

Volume = Fixed Costs / (Price – Variable Costs per Unit)

where volume is the break-even sales volume.

By calculating this figure, a company can figure out how much it needs to sell to start making a profit.

Companies also calculate marginal income - the difference between revenue and variable costs. Marginal income shows how much an organization covers fixed costs.

Enterprise expenses can be considered in the analysis from various points of view. Their classification is made on the basis of various characteristics. From the perspective of the influence of product turnover on costs, they can be dependent or independent of increased sales. Variable costs, the definition of which requires careful consideration, allow the head of the company to manage them by increasing or decreasing sales of finished products. That is why they are so important for understanding the proper organization of the activities of any enterprise.

general characteristics

Variable Costs (VC) are those costs of an organization that change with an increase or decrease in the growth of sales of manufactured products.

For example, when a company ceases operations, variable costs should be zero. In order for a company to operate effectively, it will need to regularly evaluate its costs. After all, they influence the cost of finished products and turnover.

Such points.

• The book value of raw materials, energy resources, materials that are directly involved in the production of finished products.
• Cost of manufactured products.
• Salaries of employees depending on the implementation of the plan.
• Percentage from the activities of sales managers.
• Taxes: VAT, tax according to the simplified tax system, unified tax.

Understanding Variable Costs

In order to correctly understand such a concept as variable costs, an example of their definition should be considered in more detail. Thus, production, in the process of carrying out its production programs, spends a certain amount of materials from which the final product will be made.

These costs can be classified as variable direct costs. But some of them should be separated. A factor such as electricity can also be classified as a fixed cost. If the costs of lighting the territory are taken into account, then they should be classified specifically in this category. Electricity directly involved in the process of manufacturing products is classified as variable costs in the short term.

There are also costs that depend on turnover but are not directly proportional to the production process. This trend may be caused by insufficient (or over) utilization of production, or a discrepancy between its designed capacity.

Therefore, in order to measure the effectiveness of an enterprise in managing its costs, variable costs should be considered as subject to a linear schedule along the segment of normal production capacity.

Classification

There are several types of variable cost classifications. With changes in sales costs, they are distinguished:

• proportional costs, which increase in the same way as production volume;
• progressive costs, increasing at a faster rate than sales;
• degressive costs, which increase at a slower rate with increasing production rates.

According to statistics, a company's variable costs can be:

• general (Total Variable Cost, TVC), which are calculated for the entire product range;
• average (AVC, Average Variable Cost), calculated per unit of product.

According to the method of accounting for the cost of finished products, a distinction is made between variables (they are easy to attribute to the cost) and indirect (it is difficult to measure their contribution to the cost).

Regarding the technological output of products, they can be production (fuel, raw materials, energy, etc.) and non-production (transportation, interest to the intermediary, etc.).

General variable costs

The output function is similar to variable cost. It is continuous. When all costs are brought together for analysis, the total variable costs for all products of one enterprise are obtained.

When common variables are combined and their total sum in the enterprise is obtained. This calculation is carried out in order to identify the dependence of variable costs on production volume. Next, use the formula to find variable marginal costs:

MC = ΔVC/ΔQ, where:

• MC - marginal variable costs;
• ΔVC - increase in variable costs;
• ΔQ is the increase in output volume.

Calculation of average costs

Average variable costs (AVC) are the company's resources spent per unit of production. Within a certain range, production growth has no effect on them. But when the design power is reached, they begin to increase. This behavior of the factor is explained by the heterogeneity of costs and their increase at large scales of production.

The presented indicator is calculated as follows:

AVC=VC/Q, where:

• VC - the number of variable costs;
• Q is the quantity of products produced.

In terms of measurement, average variable costs in the short run are similar to the change in average total costs. The greater the output of finished products, the more total costs begin to correspond to the increase in variable costs.

Calculation of variable costs

Based on the above, we can define the variable cost (VC) formula:

• VC = Material costs + Raw materials + Fuel + Electricity + Bonus salary + Percentage on sales to agents.
• VC = Gross profit - fixed costs.

The sum of variable and fixed costs is equal to the total costs of the organization.

The calculations of which were presented above participate in the formation of their overall indicator:

Total costs = Variable costs + Fixed costs.

Example definition

To better understand the principle of calculating variable costs, you should consider an example from the calculations. For example, a company characterizes its product output with the following points:

• Costs of materials and raw materials.
• Energy costs for production.
• Salaries of workers producing products.

It is argued that variable costs grow in direct proportion to the increase in sales of finished products. This fact is taken into account to determine the break-even point.

For example, it was calculated that it amounted to 30 thousand units of production. If you plot a graph, the break-even production level will be zero. If the volume is reduced, the company’s activities will move to the level of unprofitability. And similarly, with an increase in production volumes, the organization will be able to receive a positive net profit result.

How to reduce variable costs

The strategy of using “economies of scale”, which manifests itself when production volumes increase, can increase the efficiency of an enterprise.

The reasons for its appearance are the following.

1. Using the achievements of science and technology, conducting research, which increases the manufacturability of production.
2. Reducing management salary costs.
3. Narrow specialization of production, which allows you to perform each stage of production tasks with better quality. At the same time, the defect rate decreases.
4. Introduction of technologically similar product production lines, which will ensure additional capacity utilization.

At the same time, variable costs are observed below sales growth. This will increase the efficiency of the company.

Having become familiar with the concept of variable costs, an example of the calculation of which was given in this article, financial analysts and managers can develop a number of ways to reduce overall production costs and reduce production costs. This will make it possible to effectively manage the rate of turnover of the enterprise’s products.

One of the main features of financial management (as well as management accounting) is that it divides costs into two main types:

a) variable or margin;

b) constant.

With this classification, it is possible to estimate how much the total cost will change with an increase in production volumes and sales of products. In addition, by estimating the total income for different volumes of products sold, it is possible to measure the amount of expected profit and cost with an increase in sales volumes. This method of management calculations is called break-even analysis or income assistance analysis.

Variable costs are costs that, with an increase or decrease in the volume of production and sales of products, respectively increase or decrease (in total). Variable costs per unit of output produced or sold represent the additional costs incurred in creating that unit. Such variable costs are sometimes called marginal costs per unit produced or sold, which are the same for each additional unit. Graphical total, variable and fixed costs are shown in Fig. 7.

Fixed costs are costs whose value is not affected by changes in the volume of production and sales of products. Examples of fixed costs are:

a) salary of management personnel, which does not depend on the volume of products sold;

b) rent for premises;

c) depreciation of machinery and mechanisms, accrued using the straight-line method. It is accrued regardless of whether the equipment is used partially, completely, or is completely idle;

d) taxes (on property, land).

Rice. 7. Graphs of total (total) costs

Fixed costs are costs that do not change over a given period of time. Over time, however, they increase. For example, the rent for industrial premises for two years is twice the rent for a year. Similarly, depreciation charged on capital goods increases as the capital goods age. For this reason, fixed costs are sometimes called periodic costs because they are constant over a specific period of time.

The overall level of fixed costs may vary. This happens when the volume of production and sales of products increases or decreases significantly (purchase of additional equipment - depreciation, recruitment of new managers - wages, hiring of additional premises - rent).

If the selling price of a unit of a certain type of product is known, then the gross revenue from the sale of this type of product is equal to the product of the selling price of a unit of product by the number of units sold.

As sales volume increases by one unit, revenue increases by the same or constant amount, and variable costs also increase by a constant amount. Therefore, the difference between the selling price and the variable costs of each unit of output must also be constant. This difference between the selling price and unit variable costs is called gross profit per unit.

Example

A business entity sells a product for 40 rubles. per unit and expects to sell 15,000 units. There are two technologies for producing this product.

A) The first technology is labor-intensive, and variable costs per unit of production are 28 rubles. Fixed costs are equal to 100,000 rubles.

B) The second technology uses equipment that facilitates labor, and variable costs per unit of production are only 16 rubles. Fixed costs are equal to 250,000 rubles.

Which of the two technologies allows you to get higher profits?

Solution

The break-even point is the volume of product sales at which the revenue from its sale is equal to the gross (total) costs, i.e. there is no profit, but there are also no losses. Gross profit analysis can be used to determine the break-even point because if

revenue = variable costs + fixed costs, then

revenue - variable costs = fixed costs, i.e.

total gross profit = fixed costs.

To break even, the total gross profit must be sufficient to cover fixed costs. Since the total gross profit is equal to the product of the gross profit per unit of product and the number of units sold, the break-even point is determined as follows:

Example

If the variable costs per unit of product are 12 rubles, and the proceeds from its sale are 15 rubles, then the gross profit is equal to 3 rubles. If fixed costs are 30,000 rubles, then the break-even point is:

30,000 rub. / 3 rub. = 10,000 units

Proof

Gross profit analysis can be used to determine the volume of sales (sales) of products required to achieve the planned profit for a given period.

Because the:

Revenue - Gross costs = Profit

Revenue = Profit + Gross costs

Revenue = Profit + Variable costs + Fixed costs

Revenue - Variable costs = Profit + Fixed costs

Gross profit = Profit + Fixed costs

The required gross profit must be sufficient: a) to cover fixed costs; b) to obtain the required planned profit.

Example

If a product is sold for 30 rubles, and unit variable costs are 18 rubles, then the gross profit per unit of product is 12 rubles. If fixed costs are equal to 50,000 rubles, and the planned profit is 10,000 rubles, then the sales volume required to achieve the planned profit will be:

(50,000 + 10,000) / 125,000 units.

Proof

Example

Estimated profit, break-even point and target profit

XXX LLC sells one type of product. Variable costs per unit of production are 4 rubles. At a price of 10 rubles. demand will be 8,000 units, and fixed costs will be 42,000 rubles. If you reduce the price of the product to 9 rubles, then demand increases to 12,000 units, but fixed costs will increase to 48,000 rubles.

You need to determine:

a) estimated profit at each selling price;

b) break-even point at each selling price;

c) the volume of sales required to achieve the planned profit of 3,000 rubles at each of the two prices.

b) To break even, gross profit must equal fixed costs. The break-even point is determined by dividing the sum of fixed costs by the gross profit per unit of production:

42,000 rub. / 6 rub. = 7,000 units

48,000 rub. / 5 rub. = 9,600 units

c) The total gross profit required to achieve the planned profit of 3,000 rubles is equal to the sum of fixed costs and planned profit:

Break-even point at a price of 10 rubles.

(42,000 + 3,000) / 6 = 7,500 units.

Break-even point at a price of 9 rubles.

(48,000 + 3,000) / 5 = 10,200 units.

Gross profit analysis is used in planning. Typical cases of its application are as follows:

a) choosing the best selling price for the product;

b) choosing the optimal technology for producing a product if one technology gives low variable and high fixed costs, and the other gives higher variable costs per unit of production, but lower fixed costs.

These problems can be solved by determining the following quantities:

a) estimated gross profit and profit for each option;

b) break-even sales volume of products for each option;

c) the volume of product sales necessary to achieve the planned profit;

d) the volume of product sales at which two different production technologies give the same profit;

e) the volume of product sales necessary to eliminate the bank overdraft or to reduce it to a certain level by the end of the year.

When solving problems, it is necessary to remember that the volume of product sales (i.e., demand for products at a certain price) is difficult to accurately predict, and the analysis of the estimated profit and break-even volume of product sales should be aimed at taking into account the consequences of failure to meet planned targets.

Example

A new company, TTT, is created to produce the patented product. Company directors are faced with a choice: which of two production technologies to prefer?

Option A

The company purchases parts, assembles finished products from them, and then sells them. Estimated costs are:

Option B

The company purchases additional equipment that allows it to perform some technological operations in the company's own premises. Estimated costs are:

The maximum possible production capacity for both options is 10,000 units. in year. Regardless of the sales volume achieved, the company intends to sell the product for 50 rubles. for a unit.

Required

Conduct an analysis of the financial results of each of the options (as far as available information allows) with appropriate calculations and diagrams.

Note: taxes are not taken into account.

Solution

Option A has higher variable costs per unit of output, but also lower fixed costs than Option B. The higher fixed costs of Option B include additional depreciation amounts (for more expensive premises and new equipment), as well as interest costs on bonds, since option B involves the company in financial dependence. The above decision does not address the concept of debt, although it is part of the full answer.

Estimated output is not given, so uncertainty in product demand must be an important element of the decision. However, it is known that the maximum demand is limited by production capacity (10,000 units).

Therefore we can define:

a) maximum profit for each option;

b) break-even point for each option.

a) if the need reaches 10,000 units.

Option B gives higher profits with higher sales volumes.

b) to ensure break-even:

Break-even point for option A:

80,000 rub. / 16 rub. = 5,000 units

Break-even point for option B

185,000 rub. / 30 rub. = 6,167 units

The break-even point for option A is lower, which means that if demand increases, profit under option A will be received much faster. In addition, when demand is low, option A results in higher profits or lower losses.

c) if option A is more profitable at low sales volumes, and option B is more profitable at high volumes, then there must be some point of intersection at which both options have the same total profit for the same total product sales volume. We can determine this volume.

There are two methods for calculating sales volume at the same profit:

Graphic;

Algebraic.

The most visual way to solve the problem is to plot the dependence of profit on sales volume. This graph shows the profit or loss for each sales value for each of the two options. It is based on the fact that profit increases evenly (straightforward); gross profit for each additional unit of product sold is a constant value. In order to build a straight-line profit graph, you need to plot two points and connect them.

With zero sales, the gross profit is zero, and the company suffers a loss in an amount equal to fixed costs (Fig. 8).

Algebraic solution

Let the sales volume at which both options give the same profit be equal to x units. Total profit is total gross profit minus fixed costs, and total gross profit is gross profit per unit multiplied by x units.

According to option A, the profit is 16 X - 80 000

Rice. 8. Graphic solution

According to option B, the profit is 30 X - 185 000

Since with sales volume X units the profit is the same, then

16X - 80 000 = 30X - 185 000;

X= 7,500 units

Proof

An analysis of the financial results shows that due to the higher fixed costs of option B (partly due to the cost of paying interest on the loan), option A comes to breakeven much faster and is more profitable up to a sales volume of 7,500 units. If demand is expected to exceed 7,500 units, then option B will be more profitable. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully study and evaluate the demand for this product.

Since the results of demand assessment can rarely be considered reliable, it is recommended to analyze the difference between the planned volume of product sales and the break-even volume (the so-called “safety zone”). This difference shows how much the actual volume of product sales can be less than planned without loss for the enterprise.

Example

A business entity sells a product at a price of 10 rubles. per unit, and variable costs are 6 rubles. Fixed costs are equal to 36,000 rubles. The planned sales volume of products is 10,000 units.

Planned profit is determined as follows:

Break even:

36,000 / (10 - 6) = 9,000 units.

The “safety zone” is the difference between the planned volume of product sales (10,000 units) and the break-even volume (9,000 units), i.e. 1,000 units As a rule, this value is expressed as a percentage of the planned volume. Thus, if in this example the actual sales volume of products is less than planned by more than 10%, the company will not be able to break even and will incur a loss.

The most complex gross profit analysis is calculating the volume of sales required to eliminate a bank overdraft (or reduce it to a certain level) during a specified period (year).

Example

An economic entity buys a machine to produce a new product for 50,000 rubles. The price structure of the product is as follows:

The machine is purchased entirely through an overdraft. In addition, all other financial needs are also covered by an overdraft.

What should be the annual volume of products sold to cover the bank overdraft (by the end of the year), if:

a) all sales are made on credit and debtors pay them within two months;

b) inventories of finished products are stored in the warehouse for one month until they are sold and are valued in the warehouse at variable costs (as work in progress);

c) suppliers of raw materials provide a business entity with a monthly loan.

In this example, a bank overdraft is used to purchase the machine, as well as to cover general operating costs (all of which are paid in cash). Depreciation is not a cash expense, so the amount of overdraft is not affected by the amount of depreciation. During the manufacture and sale of a product, variable costs are incurred, but they are covered by revenue from the sale of products, resulting in the formation of a gross profit.

The gross profit per unit of product is 12 rubles. This figure may suggest that the overdraft can be covered with a sales volume of 90,000 / 12 = 7,500 units. However, this is not the case, since it ignores the increase in working capital.

A) Debtors pay for the goods they purchase on average after two months, so out of every 12 units sold, two remain unpaid at the end of the year. Consequently, on average, out of every 42 rubles. sales (unit price) one sixth (RUB 7) at the end of the year will be outstanding receivables. The amount of this debt will not reduce the bank overdraft.

B) Similarly, at the end of the year there will be a month's supply of finished products in the warehouse. The cost of producing these products is also an investment in working capital. This investment requires funds, which increases the overdraft amount. Since this increase in inventories represents the monthly sales volume, it is on average equal to one-twelfth of the variable costs of producing a unit of output (2.5 rubles) sold during the year.

C) The increase in accounts payable compensates for the investment in working capital, since at the end of the year, due to the provision of a monthly loan, on average, out of every 24 rubles spent on the purchase of raw materials (24 rubles - material costs per unit of production), 2 rubles . will not be paid.

Let's calculate the average cash receipts per unit of production:

To cover the cost of the machine and operating expenses and thus eliminate the overdraft for the year, product sales must be

90,000 rub. / 4.5 rub. (cash) = 20,000 units.

With an annual sales volume of 20,000 units. profit will be:

The effect on cash receipts is best illustrated by the balance sheet example of a change in cash position:

In aggregate form as a report on the sources and use of funds:

Profits are used to finance the purchase of the machine and investment in working capital. Therefore, by the end of the year the following change in the cash position occurred: from an overdraft to a “no change” position - i.e. the overdraft has just been repaid.

When solving such problems, a number of features should be taken into account:

– depreciation expenses should be excluded from fixed costs;

– investments in working capital are not fixed expenses and do not affect the break-even analysis at all;

– draw up (on paper or mentally) a report on the sources and use of funds;

– expenses that increase the size of the overdraft are:

– purchase of equipment and other fixed assets;

– annual fixed costs, excluding depreciation.

The gross profit ratio is the ratio of gross profit to selling price. It is also called the "income-revenue ratio." Since unit variable costs are a constant value and, therefore, at a given selling price, the amount of gross profit per unit of product is also constant, the gross profit coefficient is a constant for all values ​​of sales volume.

Example

Specific variable costs for a product are 4 rubles, and its selling price is 10 rubles. Fixed costs amount to 60,000 rubles.

The gross profit ratio will be equal to

6 rub. / 10 rub. = 0.6 = 60%

This means that for every 1 rub. the income received from sales, the gross profit is 60 kopecks. To ensure break-even, gross profit must be equal to fixed costs (60,000 rubles). Since the above coefficient is 60%, the gross revenue from product sales required to ensure break-even will be 60,000 rubles. / 0.6 = 100,000 rub.

Thus, the gross profit ratio can be used to calculate the break-even point

The gross profit ratio can also be used to calculate the volume of product sales required to achieve a given profit level. If a business entity wanted to make a profit in the amount of 24,000 rubles, then the sales volume should have been the following amount:

Proof

If the problem gives sales revenue and variable costs, but does not give the selling price or unit variable costs, you should use the gross profit ratio method.

Example

Using the Gross Profit Ratio

The business entity has prepared a budget for its activities for the next year:

The company's directors are not satisfied with this forecast and believe that it is necessary to increase sales.

What level of product sales is necessary to achieve a given profit of 100,000 rubles.

Solution

Since neither the selling price nor specific variable costs are known, gross profit should be used to solve the problem. This coefficient has a constant value for all sales volumes. It can be determined from the available information.

Analysis of decisions made

Analysis of short-term decisions involves choosing one of several possible options. For example:

a) selection of the optimal production plan, product range, sales volumes, prices, etc.;

b) choosing the best of mutually exclusive options;

c) deciding on the advisability of conducting a particular type of activity (for example, whether an order should be accepted, whether an additional work shift is needed, whether to close a department or not, etc.).

Decisions are made in financial planning when it is necessary to formulate the production and commercial plans of an enterprise. Analysis of decisions made in financial planning often comes down to the application of variable costing methods (principles). The main task of this method is to determine which costs and incomes will be affected by the decision made, i.e. what specific costs and revenues are relevant for each of the proposed options.

Relevant costs are costs of a future period that are reflected in cash flow as a direct consequence of the decision made. Only relevant costs should be considered in the decision-making process, since it is assumed that future profits will ultimately be maximized provided that the business entity's "monetary profit", i.e. cash income received from the sale of products minus cash costs for production and sales of products are also maximized.

Costs that are not relevant include:

a) past costs, i.e. money already spent;

b) future expenses resulting from certain previously made decisions;

c) non-cash costs, for example, depreciation.

The relevant costs per unit of output are typically the variable (or marginal) costs of that unit.

It is assumed that profits ultimately produce cash receipts. Declared profit and cash receipts for any period of time are not the same thing. This is due to various reasons, for example, time intervals when granting loans or features of depreciation accounting. Ultimately, the resulting profit gives a net influx of an equal amount of cash. Therefore, in decision accounting, cash receipts are treated as a means of measuring profit.

The “opportunity cost” is the income that a company gives up by choosing one option over the most profitable alternative. Let us assume as an example that there are three mutually exclusive options: A, B and C. The net profit for these options is equal to 80, 100 and 90 rubles, respectively.

Since you can choose only one option, option B seems to be the most profitable, since it gives the greatest profit (20 rubles).

A decision in favor of B will be made not only because he makes a profit of 100 rubles, but also because he makes a profit of 20 rubles. more profit than the next most profitable option. "Opportunity cost" can be defined as "the amount of revenue that a company sacrifices in favor of an alternative option."

What happened in the past cannot be returned. Management decisions only affect the future. Therefore, in the decision-making process, managers only need information about future costs and income that will be affected by the decisions made, since they cannot affect past costs and profits. Past expenses in decision-making terminology are called sunk costs, which:

a) either have already been accrued as direct costs for the manufacture and sale of products for the previous reporting period;

b) or will be accrued in subsequent reporting periods, despite the fact that they have already been made (or the decision to make them has already been made). An example of such a cost is depreciation. After the acquisition of fixed assets, depreciation may accrue over several years, but these costs are sunk.

Relevant costs and income are deferred income and expenses arising from the choice of a particular option. They also include revenues that could have been earned by choosing another option, but which the enterprise foregoes. "Opportunity value" is never shown in financial statements, but it is often mentioned in decision-making documents.

One of the most common problems in the decision-making process is making decisions in a situation where there are not enough resources to meet potential demand and a decision must be made on how to most effectively use the available resources.

The limiting factor, if any, should be determined when preparing the annual plan. Limiting factor decisions therefore relate to routine rather than ad hoc actions. But even in this case, the concept of “cost of chance” appears in the decision-making process.

There may be only one limiting factor (other than maximum demand), or there may be several limited resources, two or more of which may set the maximum level of activity that can be achieved. To solve problems with more than one limiting factor, operations research methods (linear programming) should be used.

Solutions to Limiting Factors

Examples of limiting factors are:

a) volume of product sales: there is a limit to the demand for products;

b) labor force (total number and by specialty): there is a shortage of labor to produce a volume of products sufficient to meet demand;

c) material resources: there is not a sufficient amount of materials to manufacture products in the volume necessary to meet demand;

d) production capacity: the productivity of technological equipment is insufficient to produce the required volume of products;

e) financial resources: there is not enough money to pay the necessary production costs.

This question may arise from a reader familiar with management accounting, which is based on accounting data, but pursues its own goals. It turns out that some management accounting techniques and principles can be used in regular accounting, thereby improving the quality of information provided to users. The author suggests familiarizing yourself with one of the ways to manage costs in accounting, which the document on calculating product costs will help with.

About the direct costing system

Management (production) accounting is the management of the economic activities of an enterprise on the basis of an information system that reflects all the costs of the resources used. Direct costing is a subsystem of management (production) accounting based on the classification of costs into variable and fixed depending on changes in production volumes and cost accounting for management purposes only for variable costs. The purpose of using this subsystem is to increase the efficiency of resource use in production and economic activities and to maximize enterprise income on this basis.

In relation to production, there are simple and developed direct costing. When choosing the first option, the variables include direct material costs. All the rest are considered constant and are transferred in total to complex accounts, and then at the end of the period they are excluded from total income. This is income from the sale of manufactured products, calculated as the difference between the cost of products sold (revenue from sales) and variable cost. The second option is based on the fact that conditionally variable costs, in addition to direct material ones, in some cases include variable indirect costs and part of the fixed costs, depending on the utilization rate of production capacity.

At the stage of implementation of this system, enterprises usually use simple direct costing. And only after its successful implementation can an accountant switch to more complex, developed direct costing. The goal is to increase the efficiency of resource use in production and economic activities and to maximize enterprise income on this basis.

Direct costing (both simple and developed) is distinguished by one feature: priority in planning, accounting, calculation, analysis and cost control is given to short-term and medium-term parameters compared to accounting and analysis of the results of past periods.

About the amount of coverage (marginal income)

The basis of the method of cost analysis using the “direct costing” system is the calculation of the so-called marginal income, or “coverage amount”. At the first stage, the amount of “coverage contribution” for the enterprise as a whole is determined. The table below displays this indicator along with other financial data.

As you can see, the amount of coverage (marginal income), which is the difference between revenue and variable costs, shows the level of reimbursement of fixed costs and profit generation. If fixed costs and the coverage amount are equal, the enterprise's profit is zero, that is, the enterprise operates at break-even.

Determination of production volumes that ensure break-even operation of the enterprise is carried out using a “break-even model” or establishing a “break-even point” (also called the coverage point, the point of critical production volume). This model is based on the interdependence between production volume, variable and fixed costs.

The break-even point can be determined by calculation. To do this, you need to create several equations in which there is no profit indicator. In particular:

B = DC + AC;

c x O = DC + AC x O;

PostZ = (ts- AC) x O;

B- revenues from sales;

PostZ– fixed costs;

PeremZ– for the entire volume of production (sales);

variable– variable costs per unit of production;

ts– wholesale price per unit of production (excluding VAT);

ABOUT– volume of production (sales);

md– the amount of coverage (marginal income) per unit of production.

Let us assume that during the period variable costs ( PeremZ) amounted to 500 thousand rubles, fixed costs ( PostZ) are equal to 100 thousand rubles, and the production volume is 400 tons. Determining the break-even price includes the following financial indicators and calculations:

– ts= (500 + 100) thousand rubles. / 400 t = 1,500 rub./t;

– variable= 500 thousand rubles. / 400 t = 1,250 rub./t;

– md= 1,500 rub. - 1,250 rub. = 250 rub.;

– ABOUT= 100 thousand rubles. / (1,500 rub./t - 1,250 rub./t) = 100 thousand rub. / 250 rub./t = 400 t.

The level of the critical selling price, below which a loss occurs (that is, you cannot sell), is calculated using the formula:

c = PostZ / O + AC

If we plug in the numbers, the critical price will be 1.5 thousand rubles/t (100 thousand rubles / 400 t + 1,250 rubles/t), which corresponds to the result obtained. It is important for an accountant to monitor the break-even level not only in terms of unit price, but also in terms of the level of fixed costs. Their critical level, at which total costs (variables plus fixed) are equal to revenue, is calculated using the formula:

PostZ = O x md

If you plug in the numbers, then the upper limit of these costs is 100 thousand rubles. (250 rub. x 400 t). The calculated data allows the accountant not only to track the break-even point, but also to a certain extent to manage the indicators that affect this.

About variable and fixed costs

The division of all costs into the specified types is the methodological basis for cost management in the direct costing system. Moreover, these terms mean conditionally variable and conditionally fixed expenses, recognized as such with some approximation. In accounting, especially when it comes to actual costs, nothing can be constant, but small fluctuations in costs can not be taken into account when organizing a management accounting system. The table below presents the distinctive characteristics of the costs named in the heading of the section.

The amount of fixed costs over a certain time does not change in proportion to changes in production volume. If production volume increases, then the amount of fixed costs per unit of output decreases, and vice versa. But fixed costs are not absolutely constant. For example, security costs are classified as permanent, but their amount will increase if the administration of the institution considers it necessary to increase the salaries of security workers. This amount may be reduced if the administration purchases technical equipment that will make it possible to reduce security personnel, and the savings on wages will cover the costs of purchasing these new technical equipment.

Some types of costs may include fixed and variable elements. An example is telephone costs, which include a constant term in the form of charges for long-distance and international telephone calls, but vary depending on the duration of the conversations, their urgency, etc.

The same types of costs can be classified as fixed and variable, depending on specific conditions. For example, the total amount of repair costs may remain constant as production volumes increase - or increase if production growth requires the installation of additional equipment; remain unchanged when production volumes are reduced, unless a reduction in the equipment fleet is expected. Thus, it is necessary to develop a methodology for dividing disputed costs into semi-variable and semi-fixed ones.

To do this, it is advisable for each type of independent (separate) expenses to assess the growth rate of production volumes (in physical or value terms) and the growth rate of selected costs (in value terms). The assessment of comparative growth rates is made according to the criterion adopted by the accountant. For example, this can be considered the ratio between the growth rate of costs and production volume in the amount of 0.5: if the growth rate of costs is less than this criterion compared to the growth of production volume, then the costs are classified as fixed costs, and in the opposite case, they are classified as variable costs.

For clarity, we present a formula that can be used to compare the growth rates of costs and production volumes and classify costs as constant:

Aoi– volume of output of i-products for the reporting period;

Abi– volume of output of i-products for the base period;

Zoi– i-type costs for the reporting period;

Zbi– i-type costs for the base period.

Let’s say that in the previous period the volume of production was 10 thousand units, and in the current period – 14 thousand units. Classified costs for equipment repair and maintenance are 200 thousand rubles. and 220 thousand rubles. respectively. The specified ratio is satisfied: 20 ((14 / 10 x 100% - 100) x 0.5)< 10 (220 / 200 x 100% - 100). Следовательно, по этим данным затраты могут считаться условно-постоянными.

The reader may ask what to do if during a crisis production does not grow, but declines. In this case, the above formula will take a different form:

Let's assume that in the previous period the volume of production was 14 thousand units, and in the current period - 10 thousand units. Classified costs for repair and maintenance of equipment are 230 thousand rubles. and 200 thousand rubles. respectively. The specified ratio is satisfied: 20 ((14 / 10 x 100% - 100) x 0.5) > 15 (220 / 200 x 100% - 100). Therefore, according to these data, costs can also be considered semi-fixed. If costs have increased despite a decline in production, this also does not mean that they are variable. Fixed costs have simply increased.

Accumulation and distribution of variable costs

When choosing simple direct costing, when calculating variable costs, only direct material costs are calculated and taken into account. They are collected from the accounts , , (depending on the adopted accounting policy and methodology for accounting for inventories) and are written off to account 20 “Main production” (see Instructions for using the Chart of Accounts).

The cost of work in progress and semi-finished products of own production is accounted for at variable costs. Moreover, complex raw materials, the processing of which produces a number of products, also refers to direct costs, although they cannot be directly correlated with any one product. To distribute the cost of such raw materials among products, the following methods are used:

The indicated distribution indicators are suitable not only for writing off costs for complex raw materials used for the manufacture of different types of products, but also for production and processing in which direct distribution of variable costs to the cost of individual products is impossible. But it’s still easier to divide costs in proportion to sales prices or natural indicators of product output.

The company is introducing simple direct costing in production, which results in the production of three types of products (No. 1, 2, 3). Variable costs - for basic and auxiliary materials, semi-finished products, as well as fuel and energy for technological purposes. In total, variable costs amounted to 500 thousand rubles. Products No. 1 produced 1 thousand units, the selling price of which was 200 thousand rubles, products No. 2 – 3 thousand units with a total selling price of 500 thousand rubles, products No. 3 – 2 thousand units with a total selling price of 300 thousand . rub.

Let's calculate the cost distribution coefficients in proportion to sales prices (thousand rubles) and the natural output indicator (thousand units). In particular, the first will be 20% (200 thousand rubles / ((200 + 500 + 300) thousand rubles)) for product No. 1, 50% (500 thousand rubles / ((200 + 500 + 300) thousand rubles)) for products No. 2, 30% (500 thousand rubles / ((200 + 500 + 300) thousand rubles)) for products No. 3. The second coefficient will take the following values: 17% (1 thousand units / ((1 + 3 + 2) thousand units)) for product No. 1, 50% (3 thousand units / ((1 + 3 + 2) thousand units)) for product No. 2 , 33% (2 thousand units / ((1 + 3 + 2) thousand units)) for product No. 2.

In the table we will distribute variable costs according to two options:

Options for the distribution of variable costs are different, and more objective, in the author’s opinion, is assignment to one or another group based on quantitative output.

Accumulation and distribution of fixed costs

When choosing a simple direct costing, fixed (conditionally fixed) costs are collected on complex accounts (cost items): 25 “General production expenses”, 26 “General business expenses”, 29 “Production and household maintenance”, 44 “Sales expenses”, 23 "Auxiliary production". Of the above, only commercial ones can be reflected in the reporting separately after the gross profit (loss) indicator (see the financial results statement, the form of which was approved by Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation dated July 2, 2010 No. 66n). All other costs must be included in the cost of production. This model works with developed direct costing, when there are not so many fixed costs that they can not be distributed to the cost of production, but can be written off as a decrease in profit.

If only material costs are classified as variables, the accountant will have to determine the full cost of specific types of products, including variable and fixed costs. There are the following options for allocating fixed costs for specific products:

• in proportion to variable cost, including direct material costs;
• in proportion to the shop cost, including variable cost and shop expenses;
• in proportion to special cost distribution coefficients calculated on the basis of fixed cost estimates;
• natural (weight) method, that is, in proportion to the weight of the products produced or another natural measurement;
• in proportion to the “selling prices” accepted by the enterprise (production) according to market monitoring data.

In the context of the article and from the point of view of using a simple direct costing system, it begs the attribution of fixed costs to costing objects based on previously distributed variable costs (based on variable cost). We will not repeat ourselves; it would be better to point out that the distribution of fixed costs by each of the above methods requires special additional calculations, which are performed in the following order.

The total amount of fixed costs and the total amount of expenses according to the distribution base (variable cost, shop cost or other base) are determined from the estimate for the planned period (year or month). Next, the distribution coefficient of fixed expenses is calculated, reflecting the ratio of the amount of fixed expenses to the distribution base, using the following formula:

Kr– coefficient of distribution of fixed costs;

Salary– costs are constant;

Zb– distribution base costs;

n, m– number of cost items (types).

Let's use the conditions of example 1 and assume that the amount of fixed costs in the reporting period amounted to 1 million rubles. Variable costs are equal to 500 thousand rubles.

In this case, the distribution coefficient of fixed costs will be equal to 2 (1 million rubles / 500 thousand rubles). The total cost based on the distribution of variable costs (by product output) will be increased by 2 times for each type of product. We will show the final results taking into account the data from the previous example in the table.

The distribution coefficient is calculated similarly for applying the “proportional to sales prices” method, but instead of the sum of the costs of the distribution base, it is necessary to determine the cost of each type of marketable product and all marketable products in prices of possible sales for the period. Next, the general distribution coefficient ( Kr) is calculated as the ratio of total fixed costs to the cost of marketable products in prices of possible sales using the formula:

Stp– the cost of marketable products in prices of possible sales;

p– number of types of commercial products.

Let's use the conditions of example 1 and assume that the amount of fixed costs in the reporting period amounted to 1 million rubles. The cost of manufactured products No. 1, 2, 3 in sales prices is 200 thousand rubles, 500 thousand rubles. and 300 thousand rubles. respectively.

In this case, the distribution coefficient of fixed costs is equal to 1 (1 million rubles / ((200 + 500 + 300) thousand rubles)). In fact, fixed costs will be distributed according to sales prices: 200 thousand rubles. for product No. 1, 500 thousand rubles. for product No. 2, 300 thousand rubles. – for product No. 3. In the table we show the result of the distribution of costs. Variable expenses are distributed based on product sales prices.

Although the total total cost of all products in examples 2 and 3 is the same, this indicator differs for specific types and the accountant’s task is to choose a more objective and acceptable one.

In conclusion, variable and fixed costs are somewhat similar to direct and indirect costs, with the difference that they can be more effectively controlled and managed. For these purposes, cost management centers (CM) and responsibility centers for cost formation (CO) are created at manufacturing enterprises and their structural divisions. The former calculates the costs that are collected in the latter. At the same time, the responsibilities of both the control center and the central authority include planning, coordination, analysis and cost control. If both there and there are distinguished between variable and fixed costs, this will allow them to be better managed. The question of the advisability of dividing expenses in this way, posed at the beginning of the article, is resolved depending on how effectively they are controlled, which also implies monitoring the profit (break-even) of the enterprise.

Order of the Ministry of Industry and Science of the Russian Federation dated July 10, 2003 No. 164, which introduced additions to the Methodological provisions for planning, accounting for costs of production and sales of products (works, services) and calculating the cost of products (works, services) at chemical enterprises.

This method is used with a predominant part of the main product and a small share of by-products, valued either by analogy with its costs in stand-alone production, or at the selling price minus the average profit.