Joint-Process Costing 9 Joint-Process Costing

Joint Product Processes A number of products are produced from a single raw material input. Product 1 Single Input Product 2 Product 3

Joint Product Processes Concept: in some industries, a number of products are produced from a single raw material input. Key terms: Joint products – products resulting from a process with a common input. Split-off point – the stage of processing where joint products are separated. Joint costs – costs of processing joint products prior to the split-off point. Final product – ready for sale without further processing. Intermediate product – requires further processing before sale.

Joint Product Processes Consider the following example of an oil refinery. We will assume only two products, gasoline and oil.

Joint Product Processes Oil Gasoline Intermediate products Final Sale Separate Processing Separate Processing Costs Final products Joint Costs Common Production Process Joint Input Split-Off Point

Learning Objective 1

The Decision Challenge: Which Joint Products to Produce Identify final products possible from the joint process. Forecast the sales price of each final product. Estimate costs to further process joint products into final products. The usual objective in the production of joint products is to maximize profits. Choose the set of products with the overall maximum profit.

Learning Objective 2

Decision to Sell Products at Split Off or Process Them Further Joint product costs incurred prior to the split-off point are sunk costs — not affected by a decision to process further after the split-off point. A product should be processed beyond the split-off point only if if the incremental revenue exceeds the incremental processing costs. Value is added only if the incremental value from processing exceeds the incremental processing costs.

Decision to Sell Products at Split Off or Process Them Further Sawmill, Inc. cuts logs from which unfinished lumber and wood chips are the joint products. Unfinished lumber is sold “as is” or processed further into finished lumber. Wood chips can also be sold “as is” for landscaping or processed further into 4 × 8 composition boards.

Decision to Sell Products at Split Off or Process Them Further Data about Sawmill’s joint products includes:

Decision to Sell Products at Split Off or Process Them Further

Decision to Sell Products at Split Off or Process Them Further Should we process the lumber further and sell the wood chips “as is?”

Learning Objective 3

Reasons for Allocating Joint Costs To measure performance based on earnings To value inventory for financial statements To estimate casualty losses To determine and respond to rate regulation To specify and resolve contractual interests and obligations

Learning Objective 4

Joint Cost Allocation Methods Joint costs are allocated based on a proportional measure (weight, volume, etc.) of the joint products at the split-off point. Physical measure method Monetary measure method Joint costs are allocated based on the relative values of the products at the split-off point.

Allocating Joint Costs Allocation Allocation If we allocate the joint costs of raising an animal to the two products based on weight, which product would receive the largest cost allocation? Hamburger, because there is more of it.

Allocating Joint Costs Allocation Allocation If we allocate the joint costs of raising the animal to the two products based on sales value, would the steak receive a greater portion of the cost allocation? Yes, steak has a higher sales value than hamburger.

Joint Cost Allocation Methods Let’s look at an example illustrating the joint cost allocation methods.

Monetary Measure Method Net Realizable Value If products require further processing beyond the split-off point before they are marketable, it may be necessary to estimate the net realizable value (NRV) at the split-off point. NRV Final Sales Value Added Processing Costs – =

Monetary Measure Method Net Realizable Value Intermediate products Final products Joint costs Separate processing Oil Final sale Common production process Separate processing costs Joint input Gasoline Separate processing Final sale Split-off point Separate processing costs

Monetary Measure Method Net Realizable Value Joint conversion cost = $225,000 Separate processing Sales value $500,000 Oil Common production process Separate Processing Costs $200,000 Joint material cost = $275,000 Separate processing Sales value $1,200,000 Gasoline Split-off point Separate processing costs $500,000

Monetary Measure Method Net Realizable Value

Monetary Measure Method Net Realizable Value

Monetary Measure Method Net Realizable Value

Monetary Measure Method Net Realizable Value

Monetary Measure Method Net Realizable Value

Monetary Measure Method Net Realizable Value The net realizable value method results in equal gross margin percentages for all products.

Physical Measure Method The physical measure method may be used when Output product prices are highly volatile. Many additional processes occur between the split-off point and the first point of marketability. Market prices are unavailable for products provided via cost-plus contracts.

Physical Measure Method Joint costs Oil 240,000 gallons Common production process Joint input Gasoline 360,000 gallons Split-off point

Physical Measure Method Joint conversion cost = $225,000 Oil 240,000 gallons Common production process Joint material cost = $275,000 Gasoline 360,000 gallons Split-off point

Physical Measure Method

Physical Measure Method

Physical Measure Method $275,000 joint material cost plus $225,000 joint conversion cost

Choosing Among Joint Cost Allocation Methods Joint costs are truly common costs. It is impossible to separate the portion of joint costs attributable to one product on a cause and effect basis. Which joint cost allocation method should we use? We get a different result with each method.

Choosing Among Joint Cost Allocation Methods That makes the choice of methods somewhat arbitrary. Regardless of the method we choose, we really need to be careful using allocated costs for decision-making purposes.

Choosing Among Joint Cost Allocation Methods Choose the joint-cost allocation method that maximizes regulated profits or cost reimbursements. Do not base product or service production decisions on joint margins (I.e., after joint-cost allocation) unless the choice is in response to regulatory opportunities. Clearly define how to allocate joint costs in contractual agreements among parties that share outputs and joint costs of joint processes.

Learning Objective 5

What Are By-Products? They are incidental to a production process. Their sales value is minimal. Examples Lumber production: wood chips Fertilizer production: methane gas Do not allocate joint costs to by-products

Accounting for By-Products Two commonly used methods of accounting for by-products are . . . Realized Value Approach By-product NRV is treated as other revenue. Net Realizable Value Approach By-product NRV is deducted from joint production costs before allocation. 1 2

Accounting for By-Products Joint costs Major product Common production process Joint input Major product Relatively low value or quantity when compared to major products By-products Split-off point

Accounting for By-Products Joint conversion cost = $50,000 Sales value $100,000 Major product Common production process Joint material cost = $50,000 Sales value $70,000 Major product By-products Separate processing Sales value $1,500 Split-off point Separate processing costs $400

Accounting for By-Products Major product revenue = $100,000 + $70,000

Accounting for By-Products By-product NRV = $1,500 – $400 = $1,100

Accounting for By-Products Joint production costs = $50,000 material + $50,000 conversion

Accounting for By-Products

By-Products: Some Complications The preceding example assumes the by-product has been sold. If the by-product is unsold . . . Using method 2, the $1,100 by-product NRV is deducted from finished goods inventory or work-in-process inventory if unfinished. Using method 1, the $1,100 by-product NRV is placed in a by-product inventory account.

Disposal of Scrap or Waste Waste is a by-product with negative NRV. (Cost of disposal exceeds sales value) Waste is disposed of at minimum cost. Waste disposal cost is charged to manufacturing overhead and applied to other products as part of the manufacturing overhead allocation process.

Learning Objective 6

Allocation of Joint Costs – Other Economic Value Methods In addition to net realizable value Relative sales value at split-off Further processing costs not considered Constant gross margin percentage Use total sales value of all products Compute overall gross margin for process Set the same gross margin for all products Allocate joint costs so as to achieve that uniform gross margin

End of Chapter 9