Skip to main content

Branch Assignment

Various Cost Centers:

  • Production/Operational Cost Centers
  • Service Cost Centers
  • Administrative Cost Centers
  • Sales & Marketing Cost Centers
  • Distribution & Logistics Cost Centers

Cost Category

Direct CostIndirect CostAdministrative CostSales CostDistribution Cost
Raw materialsProductionOffice expensesAdvertising & promotionsRent & Warehousing
Direct labor costsFactory OverheadsSalaries & wagesSales commissionsInventory handling
Equipment DepreciationCompliance costsTrade shows & sponsorshipsFuel & vehicle maintenance

Cost Allocation Process for Production Costs

Efficient cost allocation is essential for tracking Factory Overheads, Equipment Depreciation, Utilities, and Repair & Maintenance in production.

Step-by-Step Cost Allocation Process

  1. Identify Total Costs for Each Category & COA
Cost CategoryTotal Cost
Factory Overheads$50,000/month
Equipment Depreciation$20,000/month
Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water)$30,000/month
Repair & Maintenance$15,000/month
  1. Determine Allocation Bases
Cost CategoryAllocation BasisExample Calculation
Factory OverheadsProduction VolumeOverhead Rate = $50,000 ÷ 10,000 tons = $5 per ton
Equipment DepreciationMachine HoursDepreciation Rate = $20,000 ÷ 10,000 hours = $2 per machine hour
UtilitiesUsage (kWh)Allocate based on machine usage (e.g., Machine X: $10,800)
Repair & MaintenanceHistorical Repair CostsAllocate based on past maintenance costs per machine (e.g., Machine X: $4,500)

Sales

  1. Identify Total Sales Costs
Sales Cost CategoryTotal Cost
Advertising & Promotions$50,000
Sales Commissions (Direct)$30,000
Sales Commissions (Indirect)$20,000
Trade Shows & Sponsorships$15,000
Customer Acquisition Costs$25,000
Total Sales Costs$140,000
  1. Choose Allocation Bases
Sales Cost CategoryAllocation BasisBasis Details
Advertising & PromotionsSales RevenueAllocate based on sales revenue generated by each department.
Sales Commissions (Direct)Sales VolumeAllocate based on sales volume or revenue generated by sales reps.
Sales Commissions (Indirect)Headcount or Sales RevenueAllocate based on indirect commissions.
Trade Shows & SponsorshipsSales Volume or Product FocusAllocate based on sales volume or products promoted.
Customer Acquisition CostsNew Customers or RevenueAllocate based on new customers acquired.
  1. Calculate Allocations Based on Chosen Basis
Sales Cost CategoryDept A AllocationDept B AllocationDept C Allocation
Advertising & Promotions$12,500$20,000$17,500
Sales Commissions (Direct)$7,500$11,250$11,250
Sales Commissions (Indirect)$5,000$8,000$7,000
Trade Shows & Sponsorships$3,750$6,000$5,250
Customer Acquisition Costs$6,250$9,375$9,375
  1. Final Summary of Allocated Sales Costs
DepartmentAdvertising & PromotionsDirect Sales CommissionsIndirect Sales CommissionsTrade Shows & SponsorshipsCustomer Acquisition CostsTotal Sales Costs
Dept A$12,500$7,500$5,000$3,750$6,250$35,000
Dept B$20,000$11,250$8,000$6,000$9,375$54,625
Dept C$17,500$11,250$7,000$5,250$9,375$50,375

Distribution

  1. Identify Total Distribution Costs
Distribution Cost CategoryTotal Cost
Rent & Warehousing$40,000
Inventory Handling$25,000
Fuel & Vehicle Maintenance$15,000
Third-Party Logistics Fees$20,000
Total Distribution Costs$100,000
  1. Choose Allocation Bases
Distribution Cost CategoryAllocation BasisBasis Details
Rent & WarehousingWarehouse SpaceAllocate based on space occupied in the warehouse.
Inventory HandlingUnits HandledAllocate based on units handled by each department.
Fuel & Vehicle MaintenanceDistribution VolumeAllocate based on miles or volume traveled.
Third-Party Logistics FeesUnits ShippedAllocate based on the volume of goods shipped.
  1. Calculate Allocations Based on Chosen Basis
Distribution Cost CategoryDept A AllocationDept B AllocationDept C Allocation
Rent & Warehousing$10,000$15,000$15,000
Inventory Handling$6,250$9,375$9,375
Fuel & Vehicle Maintenance$3,750$5,625$5,625
Third-Party Logistics Fees$5,000$7,500$7,500
  1. Final Summary of Allocated Distribution Costs
DepartmentRent & WarehousingInventory HandlingFuel & Vehicle MaintenanceThird-Party Logistics FeesTotal Distribution Costs
Dept A$10,000$6,250$3,750$5,000$25,000
Dept B$15,000$9,375$5,625$7,500$37,500
Dept C$15,000$9,375$5,625$7,500$37,500