Direct Labor Hours per Unit

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 113 views

Introduction

In the world of manufacturing, understanding the cost of producing each product is crucial for making informed business decisions. Two popular methods used to calculate product cost per unit are the Plantwide Method and Activity-Based Costing (ABC). In this article, we will explore both methods and provide a step-by-step guide on how to compute product cost per unit using these methods.

Plantwide Method

The Plantwide Method is a traditional approach to calculating product cost per unit. It involves allocating overhead costs to products based on a single allocation base, such as direct labor hours or machine hours. The Plantwide Method is simple to implement but may not accurately reflect the true cost of producing each product.

Step 1: Calculate Total Overhead Costs

To calculate product cost per unit using the Plantwide Method, we first need to calculate the total overhead costs for the manufacturing plant. This includes all indirect costs such as salaries, utilities, and maintenance.

Activity	Cost	Activity Driver
Salaries	$100,000	Direct Labor Hours
Utilities	$50,000	Machine Hours
Maintenance	$20,000	Direct Labor Hours
Total Overhead Costs	$170,000

Step 2: Calculate Allocation Base

Next, we need to calculate the allocation base, which is the driver used to allocate overhead costs to products. In this case, we will use direct labor hours as the allocation base.

Product	Direct Labor Hours
Product A	100 hours
Product B	150 hours
Total Direct Labor Hours	250 hours

Step 3: Calculate Overhead Rate

Now, we can calculate the overhead rate by dividing the total overhead costs by the total allocation base.

Step 4: Calculate Product Cost per Unit

Finally, we can calculate the product cost per unit by multiplying the overhead rate by the direct labor hours per unit.

Product	Direct Labor Hours per Unit	Product Cost per Unit
Product A	10 hours	$680 per hour × 10 hours = $6,800
Product B	15 hours	$680 per hour × 15 hours = $10,200
Total Product Cost

Activity-Based Costing (ABC)

Activity-Based Costing (ABC) is a more advanced method of calculating product cost per unit. It involves identifying and tracking the costs of individual activities and allocating them to products based on their usage.

Step 1: Identify Activities and Costs

To implement ABC, we need to identify the activities and costs involved in the manufacturing process.

Activity	Cost	Activity Driver
Setup	$10,000	Number of Setups
Inspection	$5,000	Number of Inspections
Packaging	$3,000	Number of Units Packaged
Total Activity Costs	$18,000

Step 2: Calculate Activity Rates

Next, we need to calculate the activity rates by dividing the activity costs by the activity drivers.

Activity	Activity Rate
Setup	$10,000 ÷ 10 setups = $1,000 per setup
Inspection	$5,000 ÷ 20 inspections = $250 per inspection
Packaging	$3,000 ÷ 100 units packaged = $30 per unit
Total Activity Rates

Step 3: Calculate Product Cost per Unit

Finally, we can calculate the product cost per unit by multiplying the activity rates by the activity drivers.

Product	Setup	Inspection	Packaging	Product Cost per Unit
Product A	2 setups × $1,000 per setup = $2,000	5 inspections × $250 per inspection = $1,250	50 units packaged × $30 per unit = $1,500	$5,750
Product B	3 setups × $1,000 per setup = $3,000	10 inspections × $250 per inspection = $2,500	75 units packaged × $30 per unit = $2,250	$8,750
Total Product Cost

Conclusion

In conclusion, both the Plantwide Method and Activity-Based Costing (ABC) can be used to calculate product cost per unit. However, ABC provides a more accurate and detailed picture of the costs involved in the manufacturing process. By identifying and tracking individual activities and their costs, ABC allows for more precise allocation of overhead costs to products.

Recommendations

Based on the calculations above, we can make the following recommendations:

For Product A, the Plantwide Method estimates a product cost per unit of $6,800, while ABC estimates a product cost per unit of $5,750. Based on this, we recommend using the ABC method to calculate the product cost per unit for Product A.
For Product B, the Plantwide Method estimates a product cost per unit of $10,200, while ABC estimates a product cost per unit of $8,750. Based on this, we recommend using the ABC method to calculate the product cost per unit for Product B.

Limitations

While both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, there are some limitations to consider:

The Plantwide Method is simple to implement but may not accurately reflect the true cost of producing each product.
ABC is more complex to implement but provides a more accurate and detailed picture of the costs involved in the manufacturing process.

Future Research

Future research could focus on the following areas:

Developing more advanced methods for calculating product cost per unit.
Investigating the impact of different allocation bases on product cost per unit.
Examining the relationship between product cost per unit and other business metrics, such as profit margins and return on investment.

References

Horngren, C. T., Datar, S. M., & Rajan, M. V. (2017). Cost accounting: A managerial emphasis. Pearson Education.
Kaplan, R. S., & Anderson, S. R. (2007). Time-driven activity-based costing: A simpler approach. Harvard Business Review, 85(1), 131-138.
Cooper, R., & Kaplan, R. S. (1991). Profit priorities from activity-based cost management. Harvard Business Review, 69(3), 130-135.
Q&A: Computing Product Cost per Unit Using Plantwide Method and Activity-Based Costing ====================================================================================

Frequently Asked Questions

In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about computing product cost per unit using the Plantwide Method and Activity-Based Costing (ABC).

Q: What is the Plantwide Method?

A: The Plantwide Method is a traditional approach to calculating product cost per unit. It involves allocating overhead costs to products based on a single allocation base, such as direct labor hours or machine hours.

Q: What are the advantages of the Plantwide Method?

A: The Plantwide Method is simple to implement and requires minimal data collection. It is also easy to understand and communicate to stakeholders.

Q: What are the disadvantages of the Plantwide Method?

A: The Plantwide Method may not accurately reflect the true cost of producing each product. It can also lead to inaccurate product cost per unit calculations if the allocation base is not properly chosen.

Q: What is Activity-Based Costing (ABC)?

A: Activity-Based Costing (ABC) is a more advanced method of calculating product cost per unit. It involves identifying and tracking the costs of individual activities and allocating them to products based on their usage.

Q: What are the advantages of ABC?

A: ABC provides a more accurate and detailed picture of the costs involved in the manufacturing process. It also allows for more precise allocation of overhead costs to products.

Q: What are the disadvantages of ABC?

A: ABC is more complex to implement and requires more data collection. It can also be more difficult to understand and communicate to stakeholders.

Q: How do I choose between the Plantwide Method and ABC?

A: The choice between the Plantwide Method and ABC depends on the complexity of your manufacturing process and the level of accuracy you require. If you have a simple manufacturing process, the Plantwide Method may be sufficient. However, if you have a complex manufacturing process, ABC may be a better choice.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when implementing ABC?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when implementing ABC include:

Not identifying and tracking all relevant activities and costs
Not properly allocating overhead costs to products
Not regularly reviewing and updating the ABC system

Q: How do I implement ABC in my organization?

A: To implement ABC in your organization, follow these steps:

Identify and track all relevant activities and costs
Develop a system for allocating overhead costs to products
Regularly review and update the ABC system
Communicate the ABC system to stakeholders and ensure everyone understands its purpose and benefits

Q: What are some best practices for implementing ABC?

A: Some best practices for implementing ABC include:

Using a team-based approach to develop and implement the ABC system
Regularly reviewing and updating the ABC system
Communicating the ABC system to stakeholders and ensuring everyone understands its purpose and benefits
Using technology to support the ABC system and make it more efficient

Conclusion

In conclusion, computing product cost per unit using the Plantwide Method and Activity-Based Costing (ABC) requires careful consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of each method. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each method, you can make an informed decision about which method is best for your organization.