In: Accounting
Multiple Product Break-Even Analysis
Joe's Tax Service prepares tax returns for low-to middle-income
taxpayers. Its service operates January 2 through April 15 at a
counter in a local grocery store. All jobs are classified into one
of three categories: standard, multiform, and complex. Following is
information for last year. Also, last year, the fixed cost of rent,
utilities, and so forth were $60,000.
| Standard | Multiform | Complex | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billing rate | $60 | $135 | $260 | ||
| Average variable costs | (30) | (75) | (150) | ||
| Average contribution margin | $30 | $60 | $110 | ||
| Number of returns prepared | 1,750 | 500 | 250 | 
Required
(a.) Determine Joe's break-even dollar sales volume.
Round contribution margin to three decimal places.
Round break-even sales volume to the nearest dollar.
| 
 Product  | 
 Weighted Selling Price  | 
 Weighted Contribution Margin  | 
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $Answer | $Answer | 
| Multiform | Answer | Answer | 
| Complex | Answer | Answer | 
| Total | $ Answer | $ Answer | 
| Contribution margin ratio: | Answer | |
| Break-even sales volume: | $Answer | 
(b.) Determine Joe's margin of safety in sales dollars.
Round answer to the nearest whole number.
$Answer
Answer (a)
Note : Computation of % of sales based on number of return
| Number of returns prepared | % | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 1,750 | 1,750 / 2,500 = 70 % | 
| Multiform | 500 | 500 / 2,500 = 20 % | 
| Complex | 250 | 250/ 2,500 = 10 % | 
| Total | 2,500 | 
| Product | 
 Weighted Selling Price  | 
 Weighted Contribution Margin  | 
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ($60 * 70 %) =$42 | ($30 * 70 %) =$21 | 
| Multiform | ($135 * 20 %) =$27 | ($60 * 20 %) =$12 | 
| Complex | ($260 * 10 %) =$26 | ($110 * 10 %) =$11 | 
| Total | $95 | $44 | 
| Working | ||
|---|---|---|
| Contribution margin ratio | Weighted Contribution Margin / Weighted Selling Price = ($44 / $95) *100 | 46.316% | 
| Break-even dollar sales volume | Fixed Costs / Contribution margin ratio = $60,000 / 46.316% | $129,545 | 
Answer (b)
Note :
Actual Sales = ($60 * 1,750) + ($135 * 500 ) + ($260 * 250) = $105,000 + $67,500 +$65,000 = $237,500
Margin of safety in sales dollars = Actual sales - Break-even dollar sales
= $237,500 - $129,545 = $107,955