Explain the difference between a controllable and a non-controllable cost.

Short Answer

Expert verified

A controllable cost is one that the administration can influence with their choices. A non-controllable cost is one that the administration cannot impact.

Step by step solution

01

Meaning of Controllable Cost

The costs that can be changed in response to a need or business option are called controllable costs. These costs pertain exclusively to a specific item, division or function. Some examples are direct labour, direct supply, contribution, preparation cost, bonus, membership, legitimate expenses and official costs.

02

Difference between a controllable and a non-controllable cost

Characteristics

Controllable

Non-controllable

Definition

Alludes to a cost which will be changed depending on a necessity or business choice.

Alludes to a cost that cannot be changed in response to a particular business need or choice.

Time span

short-term changes are possible

Long-term cost changes are possible.

Example

Direct labour, direct supplies, contributions, and other expenses are controlled costs.

Depreciation, insurance, and administrative overhead are examples of unavoidable expenditures.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

What is the biggest advantage of using RI to evaluate investment centers?

Well-designed performance evaluation systems accomplish many goals. Describe the potential benefits performance evaluation systems offer.

Well-designed performance evaluation systems accomplish many goals. Consider the following actions, and state which goal is being achieved by the action:

a. Comparing targets to actual results

b. Providing subunit managers with performance targets

c. Comparing actual results with industry standards

d. Providing bonuses to subunit managers who achieve performance targets

e. Aligning subunit performance targets with company strategy

f. Comparing actual results of competitors

g. Taking corrective actions

h. Using the adage “you get what you measure” when designing the performance evaluation system

Question: List the four types of responsibility centers, and briefly describe each.

Zims, a national manufacturer of lawn-mowing and snow-blowing equipment, segments its business according to customer type: professional and residential. The following divisional information was available for the past year:

Net Sales Revenue Operating Income Average Total Assets

Residential \( 550,000 \) 65,280 $ 192,000

Professional 1,090,000 164,820 402,000

Management has a 26% target rate of return for each division.

Requirements

1. Calculate each division’s ROI. Round all of your answers to four decimal places.

2. Calculate each division’s profit margin ratio. Interpret your results.

3. Calculate each division’s asset turnover ratio. Interpret your results.

4. Use the expanded ROI formula to confirm your results from Requirement 1. What can you conclude?

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Business Studies Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free