Question

In: Accounting

How are managers likely to respond if variances are used to punish them?

How are managers likely to respond if variances are used to punish them?


Solutions

Expert Solution

Ans-

Companies use variance analysis in different ways. The starting point is the determination of standards against which to compare actual results. Many companies produce variance reports, and the management responsible for the variances must explain any variances outside of a certain range. Some companies only require that unfavorable variances be explained, while many companies require both favorable and unfavorable variances to be explained.

Requiring managers to determine what caused unfavorable variances forces them to identify potential problem areas or consider if the variance was a one-time occurrence. Requiring managers to explain favorable variances allows them to assess whether the favorable variance is sustainable. Knowing what caused the favorable variance allows management to plan for it in the future, depending on whether it was a one-time variance or it will be ongoing.

Another possibility is that management may have built the favorable variance into the standards. Management may overestimate the material price, labor rate, material quantity, or labor hours per unit, for example. This method of overestimation, sometimes called budget slack, is built into the standards so management can still look good even if costs are higher than planned. In either case, managers potentially can help other managers and the company overall by noticing particular problem areas or by sharing knowledge that can improve variances.

Often, management will manage “to the variances,” meaning they will make decisions that may not be advantageous to the company’s best interests over the long run, in order to meet the variance report threshold limits. This can occur when the standards are improperly established, causing significant differences between actual and standard numbers.


Related Solutions

6.) When is a business obligated to punish or reward its employees and managers for ethical...
6.) When is a business obligated to punish or reward its employees and managers for ethical behavior inside and outside of the business?
How are standards and variances used in budgeting and budget analysis?
How are standards and variances used in budgeting and budget analysis?
Compute materials and labour variances, and explain how they are used for control.
Compute materials and labour variances, and explain how they are used for control.
What are some possible causes for budget variances? What can managers do to minimize budget variances?...
What are some possible causes for budget variances? What can managers do to minimize budget variances? How can managers mitigate the effects of these variances?
what is break evenanalysis? how is it used by managers? explain
what is break evenanalysis? how is it used by managers? explain
What are the different types of commercial risks and how can managers plan for them to...
What are the different types of commercial risks and how can managers plan for them to ensure minimal impact to the company?
How are unfavorable variances recorded? How are favorable variances recorded?
How are unfavorable variances recorded? How are favorable variances recorded?
Managers use the planning process to set objectives and identify how to achieve them. What are...
Managers use the planning process to set objectives and identify how to achieve them. What are good objectives in the first three years after graduation? How do you plan to achieve them? Please don't hand write. Thank you.
a simple random sample of 5000 students were selected and asked how likely to for them...
a simple random sample of 5000 students were selected and asked how likely to for them to maintain a 6 feet distamce in the classrooms if they return to campus. among the sample 5000 , 76% of the students responded that they are somewhat or very likely to keep the physical distance in classrooms (SHOW All Work) need helpp 1. University is intrested in releasing an interval estimate for the true proportion of students who would be (somewhat or very...
Identify and explain the various barriers to change, and how the steps used by managers in...
Identify and explain the various barriers to change, and how the steps used by managers in the change process can overcome these barriers.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT