The level of inventory of a manufactured product has increased by 8,000 units during a period. The following data are also available: Variable Fixed Unit manufacturing costs of the period $24.00 $10.00 Unit operating expenses of the period 8.00 3.00 What would be the effect on income from operations if variable costing is used rather than absorption costing

There will be a difference in the income.

Absorption costing income will be lower as it transfers all the fixed costs to the ending inventory.

Variable costing income will be higher as it does not transfer the fixed costs to the ending inventory.

The difference will be of $ 104000

Explanation:

Increase in units 8000

Variable Fixed

Unit manufacturing costs of the period $24.00 $10.00

Unit operating expenses of the period 8.00 3.00

Total Unit Costs $ 32.00 $ 13.00

The net operating income under variable costing for the year will be $ 13 * 8000 = $ 104000 Lower than the net operating income under absorption costing. This is because the all fixed costs will be treated as period cost rather than product costs.

In variable costing the ending inventory will be $104000 lower than the ending inventory under absorption costing because the fixed costs will not be allocated to products.

Under variable costing, the units in the ending inventory will be costed at $32 each. Under absorption costing, the units in the ending inventory will be costed at $32 + $ 13 = $ 45 each.