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Overhead Idle Capacity Variance:

Definition and Explanation:

Overhead Idle capacity variance is the difference between the budget allowance based on actual hours worked and actual hours worked multiplied by the standard overhead rate.

Overhead idle capacity variance is calculated when overall or net overhead variance is further analyzed using three variance method. Other two variances that are calculated in three variance method are overhead spending variance and overhead efficiency variance.

Formula:

Following formula is used for the calculation of this variance:

Idle capacity variance = Budgeted allowance based on actual hours worked - (Actual hours worked × Standard overhead rate)

Example:

From the following data calculate factory overhead idle capacity variance:

Actual overhead   $7,384
Actual hours worked   3,475
Units produced during the period   850
Standard hours for one unit   4
Standard factory overhead rate:    
     Variable

$1.20

 
     Fixed

$0.80

$2.00
 
 
Normal Capacity in labor hours   4000 hours

Solution:

Budgeted allowance based on actual hours worked:    
   Fixed expenses budgeted $3,200  
   Variable expenses (3,475 actual hours worked × $1.20 variable overhead rate) 4,170 $7,370
 
 
Actual hours worked at standard rate  (3,475 actual hours × $2.00 standard rate)   $6,950
   
Idle capacity variance (Unfavorable)   $420 unfav
   

This variance consists of fixed expense only and can also be computed as follows:

(4,000 normal capacity - 3,475 actual hours) × $0.80 fixed expenses rate = $420

This variance indicates the amount of overhead that is either under or over absorbed because actual hours are either less or more than the hours on which the overhead rate was based. In the above example the plant is operated at 86.875% (3,475/4,000) of normal capacity based on actual hours.

Who is Responsible For Idle Capacity Variance?

This variance is the responsibility of executive management .

Relevant Articles:

» Definition and Explanation of Standard Cost
» Purposes and Advantages of Standard Costing System
» Setting Standards
» Materials Price Standard
» Materials Price Variance
» Materials Quantity Standard
» Materials Quantity Variance
» Direct Labor Rate Standard
» Direct Labor Rate Variance
» Direct Labor Efficiency Standard
» Direct Labor Efficiency Variance
» Factory Overhead Cost Standards
» Overall or Net Factory Overhead Variance
» Overhead Controllable Variance
» Overhead Volume Variance
» Overhead Spending Variance
» Overhead Idle Capacity Variance
» Overhead Efficiency Variance
» Variable Overhead Efficiency Variance
»

Fixed Overhead Efficiency Variance

» Mix and Yield Variance
» Variance Analysis Example
» Standard Costing and Variance Analysis Formulas
» Management by Exception and Variance Analysis
» International Uses of Standard Costing System
» Advantages, Disadvantages, and Limitations of Standard Costing




 

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