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Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

Paper – 10: Cost & Management Accountancy

Time Allowed: 3 Hours Full Marks: 100

This paper contains 4 questions. All questions are compulsory, subject to instruction
provided against each question. All workings must form part of your answer.
Assumptions, if any, must be clearly indicated.

1. Answer all questions [2x10=20]

(a) The following information relates to budgeted operations of Division A of a manufacturing


Company.
Particulars Amount in `
Sales-50,000 units @`8 4,00,000
Less: Variable costs @`6 per unit 3,00,000
Contribution margin 1,00,000
Less: Fixed Costs 75,000
Divisional Profits 25,000
The amount of divisional investment is `1,50,000 and the minimum desired rate of return on
the investment is the cost of capital of 10%.
Calculate
I. Divisional expected ROI and
II. Divisional expected RI
Answer:
I. ROI= `25,000/1,50,000x100=16.7%
II. RI=Divisional profit- Minimum desired rate of return= 25,000-10% of 1,50,000=`10,000

(b) In a factory of XYZ LTD., where Standard Costing is followed, the budgeted fixed overheads
for a budgeted production of 4,800 units is `24,000. For a certain period actual (FOH)
expenditure was `22,000 resulting in a fixed overhead volume variance of ` 3,000 (Adv.)
Answer:
Fixed Overhead volume variance = `3,000 (Adv):
Budgeted Fixed overhead – Actual Production × Std. rate
= 24,000 –Actual Production × (24,000 ÷ 4,800)
Hence, 3,000 (A) = 24,000 – Actual Production × 5
Actual Production for the period: (24,000 – 3,000) ÷ 5 = 4,200 units.

(c) What is Inter Firm Comparison?


Answer:
Inter Firm Comparison, as the name indicates, is a technique by which a Company
evaluates its performance with those of other firms in the same industry. Uniform Cost
accounting is a must for such meaningful comparison. To facilitate such comparison and
evaluation, generally a central organization is formed to collect the necessary data
periodically in a standard format from all member industries. To safeguard the confidentiality
of the individual firm’s performance details, the data are collected as a ratio or percentage
by the central organization in the industry. Information collected may relate to costs,
capacity utilization, raw material usage, labour productivity, ROI etc.

(d) SAMPARK LTD. operates a throughput accounting system. The details of product B-1 per unit
are as under:

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 1
Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

Selling Price `30


Material Cost `12
Conversion Cost `15
Time on bottleneck resources 6 minutes
Calculate the Return per hour for Product B-1
Answer:
Selling Price - M aterialCost
Return per hour for Product B-1 =
Time of bottleneck resuorce
30 - 12
=  60 minutes
6 minutes
18
=  60  ` 180
6

(e) A television Company manufactures several components in batches.


The following data relate to one component:
Annual demand 32,000 units
Set up cost/batch `120
Annual rate of interest 12%
Cost of production per unit `16
Calculate the Economic Batch Quantity (EBQ).
Answer:
2AS
E.B.Q=
C
Where, A= Annual demand,
S=Set up cost per batch,
C=carrying cost per unit per year,
2  32,000 120
E.B.Q=
16  0.12
=2,000 units

(f) Whether Separate Form 23C is required to be filed by a Company having two or more
different types of products covered under Cost Audit?
Answer:
The company would be required to file individual form 23C for each product under
reference even if the same auditor is appointed for all the products.

(g) A Company has been in existence since 1990 and is covered under cost audit for the first
time in 2011-12. Whether it is mandatory to indicate previous year figure while submitting the
report.
Answer:
A company coming under the purview of the Cost audit for the first time, the cost auditor
shall mention figures for the previous year(s) certifying by means of a note that the figure so
stated are the on the basis of information furnished by the management, for which he has
obtained a certificate from them.
3 2 2
(h) Given C = x – 10x +5x; R = 8x + 11x – 4. Find the total profit and hence marginal profit.
Answer:
C = x3 -10x2 + 5x
R = 8x2 + 11x -4

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 2
Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

Total Profit = R – C
= 8x2 + 11x – 4 – x3 + 10x2 – 5x
= - x3 + 18x2 + 6x -4
= -(x3 – 18x2 – 6x + 4) (Say P)
dp
Marginal Profit = (3x2 -36x – 6)
dx

(i) What is Temporary Monopoly?


Answer:
This situation occurs more frequently. A firm invents a new product and places it on the
market. For quite some time the demand will remain low, as consumers are not yet aware of
the product. The firm will enjoy a de facto monopoly under the protection of its patents.
Then, as the product enters into common usage, demand develops rapidly and additional
firm try to enter the market. They develop new production methods. Gradually prices and
production techniques tend to stabilize. So at the end, the market evolves towards an
ordinary competitive one. A firm which invents a new product must determine a strategy
relation to prices and production which leads to a maximum effective income.

(j) What are the essential conditions to obtain the equilibrium position of the industry under
perfect competition?
Answer:
In order to obtain the equilibrium position of the industry under perfect competition the
following conditions are essential.
 The industry gets an equilibrium position where MC=MR.
 All firms in the industry get only normal profits.
 At equilibrium point the Mc, AC, MR and AR are equal.
 Number of the firms is constant.
 Possible only in long period.

2. Answer any two questions from a, b and c. [2x20=40]

(a)
(i) What do you understand by Operating Costs? Describe its essential features and state where
it can be usefully implemented. [5]
Answer.
Operating Costs are the costs incurred by undertakings which do not manufacture any
product but provide a service. Such undertakings for example are — Transport concerns,
Gas agencies; Electricity Undertakings; Hospitals; Theatres etc. Because of the varied nature
of activities carried out by the service undertakings, the cost system used is obviously
different from that followed in manufacturing concerns.

The essential features of operating costs are as follows:

 The operating costs can be classified under three categories. For example in the case of
transport undertaking these three categories are as follows:
 Operating and running charges. It includes expenses of variable nature. For example
expenses on petrol, diesel, lubricating oil, and grease etc.
 Maintenance charges. These expenses are of semi-variable nature and includes the cost
of tyres and tubes, repairs and maintenance, spares and accessories, overhaul, etc.
 Fixed or standing charges. These includes garage rent, insurance, road licence,
depreciation, interest on capital, salary of operating manager, etc.
 The cost unit used is a double unit like passenger-mile; Kilowatt-hour, etc.

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 3
Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

It can be implemented in all firms of transport, airlines, bus-service, etc., and by all firms of
Distribution Undertakings.

(ii) A group of workers consisting of 30 men above 30 years of age, 15 females above 30 years
of age, and 10 youth of age between 20-30 are paid standard hourly rates as follows:
Males ......................... `80/- per hour
Females ...................... `60/- per hour
Youth ........................... `40/-per hour
In a normal working week of 40 hours, the group is expected to produce 2,000 units of output.
During a week, the group consisting of 40 males, 10 females and 5 youth produced 1,600
units. They were paid wages @ `70/- for males, `65/- for females and `30/- for youth per hour. 4
hours were lost due to abnormal idle time. The Actual and Standard Hrs are as follows:
Standard Hrs Actual Hrs
Male 1200 1600
Female 600 400
Youth 400 200
2200 2200

Calculate;
I. Wage variance
II. Wages rate variance;
III. Labour efficiency variance;
IV. Labour mix variance;
V. Labour idle time variance. [2+3+3+4+3=15]
Answer:
Working for variance analysis from given data:

Workers Std. hrs Std. rate ` Std. Amt ` Actual Actual


Actual
Hrs rate `
Amount
`
Male 1200 80 96,000 1600 70 1,12,000
Female 600 60 36,000 400 65 26,000
Youth 400 40 16,000 200 30 6,000
Total 2200 1,48,000 2200 1,44,000
I. Labour wages variance = Std labour cost for Actual output – Actual amount
 1,48,000 
 x1,600 - `1,44,000 = `25,600 (Adv)
 2,000 

II. Labour (Wages) Rate variance = Difference in rates (Std – Act) x Act Hrs
For male ` (80 – 70) x 1,600 = `16,000 (Fav)
For Female `(60 – 65) x 400 = `2,000 (Adv)
For Youth `(40 – 30) x 200 = `2,000 (Fav)
Total = `16,000 (Fav)

III. Labour efficiency variance = (Std hrs for Act output – Act hours) x std rate
 1,200 
For Male   1,600 - 1,600  ` 80 = `51,200 (Adv)
 2,000 

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 4
Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

 600 
For Female  x 1,600 400 x `60 = `4,800 (Fav)
 2,000 
 400 
For Youth  x 1,600 200 x `40 = `4,800 (Fav)
 2,000 
Total `41,600 (Adv)

IV. Labour mix variance = Effective hrs = Hrs paid – Idle time (hrs)
Male 1600 – 4 x 40 1440 hrs
Female 400 – 4 x 10 360 hrs
Youth 200 – 4 x 5 180 hrs
Total 1980 hrs
Total effective hours in std mix:
Male  1200  1080 hrs
 x 1980
 2,200 
Female  600  540 hrs
 x 1980
 2,200 
Youth  400  360 hrs
 x 1980
 2,200 
Total 1980 hrs

The required variance = (Effective hrs in Std. mix – Actual effective hrs.) x Std. rate
For Male (1080 – 1440) x `80 `28,800 (Adv)
For Female (540 – 360) x `60 `10,800 (Fav)
For Youth (360 – 180) x `40 `7,200 (Fav)
Total `10,800 (Adv)

V. Labour idle time variance = Idle hours x Std. rate


For Male (4 x 40) x `80 `12,800 (Adv)
For Female (4 x 10) x `60 `2,400 (Aav)
For Youth ((4 x 5) x `40 `800 (Aav)
Total `16,000 (Adv)

(b)
(i) Enumerate the factors which are to be considered before installing a System of Cost
Accounting. [7]
Answer:
The following points should be considered before installing a cost system are:
 The nature, method and stages of production, the number of varieties and the quantity
of each product and such other technical aspects should be examined. It is to be seen
how complex or how simple the production methods are and what is the degree of
control exercised over them.
 The designer should consider the objectives of costing system, i.e the expectations of the
management
 The size, layout and organization of the factory should be studied.
 Organization structure should be studied to determine the manner in which costing
system could be introduced, without altering or extending the organization
 The methods of purchase, receipt, storage and issue of materials should be examined
and modified wherever considered necessary.

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 5
Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

 The wage payment methods should be studied.


 The policy adopted by the management towards cost control should be kept in view.
 The cost of the system to be installed should be considered. It is needless to emphasise
that the installation and operation of system should be economic.
 The system should be simple and easy to operate.
 The system can be effectively run if it is appropriate and properly suited to the
organization.
 Forms and records of original entry should be so designed that it involves minimum
clerical work and expenditure.
 The system should be so designed that cost control can be effectively exercised.
 The system should incorporate suitable procedure for reporting to the various levels of
management. This should be based on the principles of exception.

(ii) The following are the figures relating to a factory for two successive years:
Year I (`) Year II (`)
Sales 10,00,000 16,80,000
Marginal Cost of Sales 6,00,000 8,00,000
Contribution 4,00,000 8,80,000
During Year II, the selling price increased by 20% and the company implemented a cost
reduction programme very aggressively. You are required to analyse the increase in
contribution due to:
I. Increase in selling price
II. Increase in sales volume
III. Reduction in cost [3+3+3]
Answer:
Increase in Contribution = `8,80,000 – `4,00,000 = `4,80,000

Calculation of P/V Ratio:


P/V Ration = Contribution / Sales
4,00,000
Year I: P /V Ratio 
10,00,000
= 40%
8,80,000
Year II: P /V Ratio 
16,80,000
= 52.38%
It is assumed that the no. of units sold are 1,00,000.
Selling Price = 10,00,000 / 1,00,000
= `10
Increase in selling price by 20% in year II
Therefore, selling price in the year II = `12
No. of units in Year II = 16,80,000 / 12
= 1,40,000 units

I. Increase in Contribution due to increase in Selling Price


The increase in selling price will lead to the increase in contribution. Selling price has
increase by 20% and the contribution has increased by 120%. This means for every 1%
increase in the selling price the contribution will increase by 6%. The increase in the selling
price was directly related to the increase in the contribution. Change in the selling price
will not affect in the production thereby the change in the variable cost, as both are not
related activities in the production.
II. Increase in Contribution due to increase in Sales Volume

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 6
Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

In the given situation, the increase in the sales volume (from I year to II year) resulted in
increase in the contribution to some extent. The amount of sales is increased as the no. of
units sold has been increased. By this, the amount of contribution is also increased. The
increase in the sales volume was directly related to the increase in the contribution. There
is no relation between the sales volume and production run.

III. Increase in Contribution due to reduction in cost


Since the company has implemented a cost reduction programme, the cost of
production per unit will be automatically reduced and there by contribution per unit will
go up. In the absence of the data as to quantitative details, we cannot attribute
whether the increase in contribution is resulted due to increase in quantity of goods sold
or due to implementation of cost reduction programme. However, if the quantum of
increase in sales units is less than 40% of the number of units, then, we conclude that the
increase in contribution is due to implementation of the cost reduction programme to
that extent.

(iii) State the treatment of By-product Cost in Cost Accounting, when they are of small total
value. [4]
Answer:
Treatment of By-product cost in Cost Accounting:
When the by-products are of small total value:
 Miscellaneous Income or Other Income Method
This method is adopted when the sales value of the products is very small as compared
to the sales value of the main product and is sold off without further processing. Here the
sales value of the by-product is credited to the Costing Profit & Loss A/c as miscellaneous
income. The entire joint costs (or common processing costs) are apportioned among the
main products and nothing is apportioned to the by-product.
 Total cost less sales value of by-product
The sales value of the by-products is deducted from the total common costs of the main
products. The common costs, so reduced will then be apportioned among the main
products. If the by-product requires further processing or certain selling and distribution
expenses are required to be incurred, then these costs will have to be first subtracted
from the sales value of the by-products. The balance amount, if any is to be deducted
from the common costs.

(c)
(i) From the following forecast of income and expenditure prepare a Cash Budget for three
months ending on June, 2014:
Month Sales (`) Purchase (`) Wages (`) Misc. (`)
2014 February 1,20,000 84,000 10,000 7,000
March 1,30,000 1,00,000 12,000 8,000
April 80,000 1,04,000 8,000 6,000
May 1,16,000 1,06,000 10,000 12,000
June 88,000 80,000 8,000 6,000

Additional Information:
 Sales: 20% realised in the month of sales, discount allowed 2%, balance realised equally
in two subsequent months.
 Purchases: These are paid in the month following the month of supply.
 Wages: 25% paid in arrears in the following month.
 Misc. Expenses: Paid a month in arrears.
 Rent: ` 1,000 per month paid quarterly in advance due in April.

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 7
Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

 Income Tax: First installment of advance tax ` 25,000 due on or before 15th June to be
paid within the month.
 Income from Investment: `5,000 received quarterly in April, July etc.
 Cash in Hand: `5,000 in April 1, 2014. [12]
Answer:
Cash Budget April – June 2014
Particulars April (`) May (`) June (`)
A) Opening Balance 5,000 6,000 (6,300)
B) Debtors Realised 1,16,000 1,07,200 96,000
C) Income from Investment 5,000
(1) 1,26,000 1,13,200 89,700
D) Creditor Paid (1,00,000) (1,04,000) (1,06,000)
E) Wages Paid
March (3,000) —
April (6,000) (2,000) —
May — (7500) (2,500)
June - - (6,000)
F) Rent (1000 x 3) (3,000) - -
G) Income Tax - - (25,000)
H) Miscellaneous Expenses (8,000) (6,000) (12,000)
(2) 1,20,000 1,19,500 1,51,500
Closing Balance (1 – 2) 6,000 (6,300) (61,800)

Working Notes:
Calculation of collection from debtors
February March April May June
Sales (`) 1,20,000 1,30,000 80,000 1,16,000 88,000
20% realised 24,000 26,000 16,000 23,200 17,600
Balance 96,000 1,04,000 64,000 92,800 70,400
Balance equally 48,000 48,000
realized in two
subsequent month
52,000 52,000
32,000 32,000
46,400
Collection from (26,000+48,00) (16,00+48,000 (23,200+52,000 (17,600+
debtor =74,000 +52,000) + 32,000) 32,000+
=1,16,000 =1,07,200 46,400)
=96,000

(iii) A shop floor supervisor of a small factory presented the following cost for Job no.421 to
determine selling price.
Per unit
Material `70
Direct Wages 18 hrs. @ ` 2.50 (Deptt. X 8 hours; Dept. Y6 hours; Deptt. Z 4 hours) 45
Chargeable Expenses (Special stores items)
5
120
Add: 33 1/3% for Overheads 40
Total Cost 160

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 8
Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

Analysis of the Profit/Loss Account for 2014 shows the following:


Material used `1,50,000 Sales less `2,50,000
Direct Wages: Returns
Dept. X 10,000
Dept. Y 12,000
Dept. Z 8,000 30,000
Special stores items 4,000
Overheads:
Dept. X 5,000
Dept. Y 9,000
Dept. Z 2,000 16,000
Total Cost 2,00,000
Gross Profit c/d 50,000
2,50,000 2,50,000
Selling Expenses 20,000 50,000
Net Profit 30,000 Gross Profit b/c
50,000 50,000

It is also noted that average hourly rates for the three departments X, Y, Z are similar.
Required:
Draw up a job cost sheet.
Calculate the entire revised cost using 2014 actual figures as basis.
Add 20% to total cost to determine selling price. [8]
Answer:
In order to prepare the job cost sheet, the overhead rates of different departments will have
to be first determined on the basis of previous year's figures. The rates are as follows:

FACTORY OVERHEAD RATES


Deptts. X Y Z
(i) Overheads ` 5,000 ` 9,000 ` 2,000
(ii) Direct Labour Hours = Total Wages/Hourly Rates 4,000 4,800 3,200
(iii) Rate per hour (i) ÷ (ii) 1.25 1.875 .625

COST SHEET OF JOB NO. 421


Particulars Rate Hrs. Amount
Material `70.00
Direct Wages: Deptt. X ` 2.50 8hrs. 20.00
Deptt. Y 2.50 6 hrs. 15.00
Deptt. Z 2.50 4 hrs 10.00
Chargeable Expenses 5.00
Prime Cost 120.00
Overheads Deptt. X 1.250 10.00
Deptt. Y 1.875 8 hrs. 11.25
Deptt. Z .625 6 hrs 2.50
Total Cost 4 hrs.
Add: Profit 20% of Total Cost 143.75
Selling Price 28.75
172.50

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 9
Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

3. Answer any two questions from a, b and c. [2x8=16]

(a)
(i) How is “Manufacturing Activity” defined under the Companies (Cost Accounting Record
Rules), 2011? [4]
Answer.
―Manufacturing Activity‖ includes any act, process or method employed in relation to-
 transformation of raw materials, components, sub-assemblies, or parts into semi-finished
or finished products; or
 making, altering, repairing, fabricating, generating, composing, ornamenting, furnishing,
finishing, packing, re-packing, oiling, washing, cleaning, breaking-up, demolishing, or
otherwise treating or adapting any product with a view to its use, sale, transport, delivery
or disposal; or
 Constructing, reconstructing, reconditioning, servicing, refitting, repairing, finishing or
breaking up of any products.
The above definition of ― manufacturing ― is couched in the widest possible terms and
extends the scope of cost record maintenance obligations under section 209(1)(d) of the
Act to all except those companies which qualify as SMEs under the 2011 Record Rules.

(ii) Distinguish between “Notes” and “Qualifications” in Cost Audit Report. Give suitable
examples. [4]
Answer.
Section 227(2) of the Company’s Act, 1956, requires the auditor to make report to the
shareholders on the accounts examined by him. When in any of the matters as required to
be stated, the Auditor feels that satisfactory compliance was not done by the company, the
auditor shall state the fact of none-compliances and suitably qualify the point with reason.
The same principle also holds well for the Cost Auditor, though the report is to be submitted
to the Central Government. Wherever a particular statement or basis of costing needs some
explanation or clarification, the auditor shall add suitable ―Notes‖ at appropriate places by
way of explanation. For example, if a company has added a new activity, on account of
which a portion of overhead charges to a product gets reduced during a year, this may be
explained by way of ―Notes‖.
On other hand if a company has deviated from the accepted Cost Accounting principles, in
order to inflate costs, the auditor shall make a qualified report to the Government.
For example, if a company has spent a huge amount on evaluation of new product ideas
and has charged the entire amount to the Administrative Overhead, the Cost Auditor should
qualify the excess amount and the impact on each unit of Cost of Production of the
products under audit. Such report will be a ―qualified report‖.

(b)
(i) A company has produced all accounting records within the stipulated time for your audit. It
however is unable to produce audited financial accounts, as financial audit is not yet
completed. As a cost Auditor, how would you deal with? [2]
Answer:
Cost Audit Report is finalized with provisional figures a forwarding letter should be attached
by the Cost Auditor to the aforesaid report stating clearly that the company has been
unable to produce audited financial accounts since the financial audit is not yet complete.
As such the report submitted is based on unaudited/provisional figures only as has been
given to him by the company. Subsequently a supplementary report should be submitted by
the Cost Auditor to the Government as soon as the audited financial accounts are made
available.

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 10
Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

(ii) Answer the following questions with respect to the Companies (Cost Accounting Records)
Rules, 2011:
I. Whether product manufactured for 100% captive/ self –consumption shall be covered
under these Rules?
II. What does turnover mean under these Rules? Is gross turnover inclusive of excise duty?
III. Whether film industry like film producing companies/ studios registered under Indian
Companies Act shall be covered under these Rules? [2x3=6]
Answer.
I. The test of inclusion under the Rules is whether it is a production, processing,
manufacturing or mining activity resulting in a product intended for use, consumption,
sale, transport, store, delivery or disposal and whether the company carrying out the
activity falls within the criteria mentioned under Rule 3(1). If the company meets
requirement of Rule 3(1), the activity – whether or not for captive / self-consumption – will
come under the ambit of these Rules. (CARR-2011).
II. As per Rule 2(p), ―Turnover‖ means gross turnover made by the company from the sale
or supply of all products or services during the financial year. It includes any turnover
from job work or loan license operations but does not include any non-operational
income. From a reading of the Rules, it appears that the word ―Gross‖ denotes ―total‖.
Hence, the ―Turnover‖ under these Rules would exclude duties and taxes. (CARR-2011)
III. The companies (Cost Accounting Records) Rules 2011 is applicable to developing, fixing,
and washing exposed photographic or cinematographic film or paper to produce either
a negative image or a positive image. In case a film producing company is also
engaged in these activities, the same would be covered.

(c) Describe the duties of Cost Auditor. [8]


Answer:
Duties of cost auditor
The provisions of the Companies Act, the Cost Audit (Report) Rules, the Cost and Works
Accountants Act and Regulations, and the different laws that are applicable on a particular
company or companies govern the duties of a Cost Auditor. The duties may be described as
follows:
 Auditor should submit his Cost Audit Report to the Central Government within one
hundred and eighty days from the end of the company's financial year to which such
report relates, and a copy of the said report to the company.
 He should also qualify his report to the extent it differs, where he is not satisfied with any of
the provisions stated above.
 He should owe his duty of care primarily to the company act honestly and sincerely.
 He should assist the Government in the latter's investigation process being launched for
the purpose of examining the affairs of the company.
 He should understand and appraise the company's policies and procedures and systems
adopted for the purpose of controlling wastages and inefficiencies.
 He should see and ensure what other exceptional duties are case upon him by the
Articles of the company
 He should give necessary advice to the company about the irregularities in the
maintenance and recording of cost accounts books and statements.
 He should keep records of various errors or omissions and commissions done by the client
staff.
 He should, if he considers if necessary after submission of his report, submit a
supplementary report, to the Central Government before the date fixed for holding the
annual general meeting of the company, limited to the extent of reconciliation of the
cost statements with the company's financial accounts
 He has a continuing duty to maintain his professional knowledge and skill at a level

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 11
Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

conducive to act as a cost auditor competently.


 He should clearly state, in his report, that :
 He has obtained all the information and explanations relating to the cost accounts
which to the best of his knowledge and belief were necessary for the purposes of the
cost audit.
 In his opinion the company's cost accounting records have been properly kept so as
to give a true and fair view of the cost of production, processing, manufacturing or
mining activities, and marketing of the product.
 The books and records kept by the company give the information in the manner
required by the Companies Act.
 Proper cost accounting records as required under the relevant Cost Accounting
(Records) Rules have been kept by the company.
 Proper returns adequate for the purpose of his cost audit have been received from
the branches not visited by him.

4. Answer any three questions from a, b, c and d. [3x8=24]

(a)
(i) What are the components of time series? [4]
Answer.
A typical time services has the following four major components:
 A Secular trend: representing the long-term direction, or average movement in the time
series.
 Cyclical fluctuations: which usually follow variations in the growth of the economy in
general, around a long-term, secular trend
 Seasonal variations: caused by changes in weather conditions and social habits, such as
the need to buy X-mas cards in December and dresses during the festival season (Dewali
or Durga Puja).
 Random or unsystematic variations: such as wars, revolutions, crop failures, natural
calamities, and changes in tastes and preferences of buyers.

(ii) What are the managerial uses of production function? [4]


Answer.
Managerial Use of Production Functions:
 The economics of production management takes, as its starting point, the study of the
entire group of possible factor combinations that could be used to produce a certain
output, within a given state of technology. This type of analysis is carried out through
production function.
 A production function is a expression of the dependent or functional relationships that
exists between the inputs of production process and the output that results. Hence it is
sometimes known as input-output relations.
 Of the various types of production function the Cobb-Douglas function is the most
celebrated. Because it has certain important properties which are useful for managerial
decision making.
 This study of production function is useful not for its own sake. Because it answers certain
questions faced by the management. It enables the management to know beforehand
the most profitable decision concerning the employment of resources and the
scheduling of the output. It is also useful in deriving a firm’s cost function.

(b) What are features of an Oligopolistic Market? [8]


Answer.

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 12
Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

Features of Oligopolistic Market:


 Interdependence – Firms have a high degree of dependence in their business policies,
price and output fixation.
 High cross elasticity – Firms under oligopoly have high degree of cross elasticity and are
always in fear of retaliation by rivals. Firms consider the possible action and reaction of its
competitors while making changes in price or output.
 Each firm tries to attract customers towards its product by incurring excessive
advertisement expenditure. It is only under oligopoly that advertising comes into its own.
 Constant struggle – Competition in oligopoly consists of constant struggle of rivals against
rivals and is unique.
 Lack of uniformity – There is lack of uniformity in the size of different oligopolies.
 Lack of certainty – In oligopolistic competition firms have two conflicting motives – (a) to
remain independent in decision making and (b) to maximize profits despite being
interdependent. To pursue these ends, they act and react to the price-output variation
of one another in an unending atmosphere of uncertainty.
 Price rigidity – Each firm sticks to its own price due to constant fear of retaliation from
rivals in case of reduction in price. The firm rather resorts to non-price competition by
advertising heavily.
 Kinked demand curve – According to Paul Sweezy, firms in an oligopolistic market, have
a kinky demand curve for their products.

(c)
(i) Explain the concept of Penetration pricing policy of a new product. [4]
Answer:
Penetration Price Policy:
Instead of setting a high price, the firm may set a low price for a new product by adding a
low mark-up to the full cost. This is done to penetrate the market as quickly as possible. The
assumptions behind the low penetration price policy are:
 The new product is being introduced in a market which is already served by well-known
brands. A low price is necessary to attract gradually consumers who are already
accustomed to other brands.
 The low price will help to maximize the sales of the product even in the short period.
 The low price is set in the market to prevent the entry of new products.

Penetration price policy is preferred to skimming price under three conditions:


In the first place, skimming price offering a high margin will attract many rivals to enter the
market. With the entry of powerful rivals into the market, competition will be intensified, price
will fall and profits will be competed away in the long run. A firm will prefer a low penetration
price if it fears the entry of powerful rivals with plenty of capital and new technology. For a
low penetration price, based on extremely low mark-up will be least profitable and potential
competitors will not be induced to enter the market.
Secondly, a firm will prefer low penetration price strategy if product differentiation is low and
if rival firms can easily imitate the product. In such a case, the objective of the firm to fix low
price is to establish a strong market based and build goodwill among consumers and strong
consumer loyalty.
Finally, a firm may anticipate that its main product may generate continuing demand for the
complementary items. In such a case, the firm will follow penetration pricing for its new
product, so that the product as well as its complements will get a wider market.

(ii) What are the assumptions of COURNOT’S SOLUTION to Duopoly pricing? [4]
Answer:
A. A. Cournot, a French economist was found solution to duopoly pricing in 1838. His model is

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 13
Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

based on the following assumptions:


 Total output must be sold out.
 Two sellers produce and sell a homogenous product.
 The number of buyer is large.
 Each seller knows the demand curve for his product.
 The cost of production is assume to be zero.
 Each supplier takes the supply of his rival to be constant.
 Each accepts the market demand for his product.
 Each seller aims at maximum revenue.

(d)
(i) A firm has revenue function given by R=10Q where R=Gross Revenue and Q=Number of Units
Sold, Production Cost function is given by C = 20000+ 50(Q / 800)2
Find: the total Profit function, and the number of Units (Q) to be sold to get the maximum
Profit. [2+2]
Answer:
R = 10Q
2
 Q 
C  20000 50 
 800 
 Q2 
Profit (P) = 10Q - 20000- 50   (Profit function)
 640000
 
To find number of units to get the maximum profit,
2
dP d P
 0 and should be - ve
dQ 2
dQ

dP 50  2Q
  10 - 0
dQ 640000

100Q
 10 - 0
640000

640000 10
Therefore, Q   64000
100
2
d P 100 1
 - Which is negative(-ve)
2 640000 6400
dQ
P (Profit) is maximum at Q = 64000 units
 640002 
Maximum Profit  10  64000- 20000- 50  
 640000
 
= 6,40,000 – 20,000 – 3,20,000 = `3,00,000

(ii) The demand function is x = 80 + 2P + 5P2 where 'x' is the demand for the commodity at Price
'P'. Find the elasticity of demand at P = 5 [4]
Answer:
Determination of Elasticity of Demand
X = 80 + 2P + 5P2

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Answer to MTP_Intermediate_Syllabus 2012_Dec2014_Set 2

dy
Marginal Quantity demanded = 2 + 10P
dx
2
X 80  2p  5 p 80
Average Quantity demanded =    5p  2
p p p
dx x 2  10p p (2  10p)
Ep  /  
dp p 80 80  5p2  2p
 5p  2
p

At, P = 5
5(2  50) 260 52
Ep   
80  125  10 215 43

Academics Department, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (Statutory Body under an Act of Parliament) Page 15

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