Question

Briefly explain the underlying logic of a process costing system and its assignment of costs to products .

Give an example of a company (or its product ) that would most likely use process costing

Answer 1

Process costing is used when there is mass production of similar products, where the costs associated with individual units of output cannot be differentiated from each other. In other words, the cost of each product produced is assumed to be the same as the cost of every other product. Under this concept, costs are accumulated over a fixed period of time, summarized, and then allocated to all of the units produced during that period of time on a consistent basis. Both direct and indirect costs are charged to the process. These costs are then allocated over the total production volume to arrive at the per-unit cost. This standardization and uniformity enable quick computation of the per-unit costs.

With process costing, the management can have a view of the cost consumption at each stage of the process. This makes it easier to evaluate deviations in process costs and quickly call out on drop-in process efficiencies or a sharp rise in material prices. It provides a bird’s eye view of the entire production facility.

A process costing system is used by companies that produce similar or identical units of product in batches employing a consistent process. Examples of companies that use process costing include Chevron Corporation (petroleum products), the Wrigley Company (chewing gum), and Pittsburgh Paints (paint).