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GAAP does NOT preclude use of variable costing for external financial reports. The only place the literature addresses this question is in ARB (Accounting Research Bulletin #4) which states that the exclusion of all overhead from inventory is unacceptable. Variable costing does not attempt to exclude overhead associated with the production of product, i.e. variable overhead. But it does exclude the cost of providing productive capacity.

It is odd that in its discussion of the current standard for segment reporting that the FASB said that external users of financial information should received data prepared on a basis consistent with that used by management for decision making. Since it is widely accepted that variable costing is useful to management, can this statement by the FASB be consider an endorsement of variable costing in the financial statements of companies which use it internally?

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Q: Why GAAP precludes use of variable costing for external financial reports?
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Is direct costing the same as variable costing?

Variable costing is called marginal costing while direct costing is separate concept.


What costing method considers variable factory overhead a product cost?

variable costing


Which costing method is used for external reporting purpose?

absorption costing


What are the differences between Absorption Costing and Variable Costing?

VARIABLE COSTING VERSUS ABSORPTION COSTINGAbsorption costing applies all manufacturing overhead to production costs while they flow through Work-in-Process Inventory, Finished-Goods Inventory and expenses on the income statement while Variable Costing only applies variable manufacturing overhead.Fixed manufacturing overhead is expensed immediately as it is incurred under variable costing while it is inventoried until the accounting period during which the manufactured goods are sold under absorption costing.


What is a potential advantage of variable costing relative to absorption costing?

In absorption costing, you would apply fixed overhead costs for your business to the cost of manufacturing products on a per-unit basis. In variable costing, the fixed overhead costs would be a lump sum (including all variable expenses such as supplies and raw materials) rather than a per-unit expense. One potential advantage of variable costing would be that when you finally sell all products in your inventory, you will have an income surplus, because you would not have previously received revenues for items that were in your inventory.

Related questions

Why marginal costing method not Suitable to be used by manufacturer for external financial reporting and tax purpose?

I think..... In marginal costing method only variable cost is considered as product cost and fixed cost is not considered as product cost. But in reality product cost include fixed and variable, thus both variable and fixed costs should be considered while allocating cost. Marginal costing is used for inside reporting and absorption costing is used for outsider to clarify the real cost of product........ Am i right? Please confirm it


Is direct costing the same as variable costing?

Variable costing is called marginal costing while direct costing is separate concept.


What costing method considers variable factory overhead a product cost?

variable costing


What is another name for variable costing?

'''Direct Costing'''


If you were a candy manufacturer which costing system should you use full absorption costing or variable costing?

full absorption costing


What are the differences between Absorption Costing and Variable Costing?

VARIABLE COSTING VERSUS ABSORPTION COSTINGAbsorption costing applies all manufacturing overhead to production costs while they flow through Work-in-Process Inventory, Finished-Goods Inventory and expenses on the income statement while Variable Costing only applies variable manufacturing overhead.Fixed manufacturing overhead is expensed immediately as it is incurred under variable costing while it is inventoried until the accounting period during which the manufactured goods are sold under absorption costing.


Which costing method is used for external reporting purpose?

absorption costing


How do variable costing and absorption costing differ?

marginal costing is also known as contribution costing. its a costing method that's includes only a variable cost of a product no attempt is made to allocate or appropriate fixed costs to cost centers. the setting of prices is basically based on the variable costs of making a product. if the prices are set above this unit cost then each item sold will make a condition to fixed costs. on the other hand absorption costing or full costing is an approach to the costing of products that allocated all costs of production to cost centers. The aim is to ensure that all business costs are covered.


Variable costing income is a function of?

sales


What is a potential advantage of variable costing relative to absorption costing?

In absorption costing, you would apply fixed overhead costs for your business to the cost of manufacturing products on a per-unit basis. In variable costing, the fixed overhead costs would be a lump sum (including all variable expenses such as supplies and raw materials) rather than a per-unit expense. One potential advantage of variable costing would be that when you finally sell all products in your inventory, you will have an income surplus, because you would not have previously received revenues for items that were in your inventory.


What is another term for variable costing?

It May Be Called as "Marginal Cost"


Is another term for variable costing?

It May Be Called as "Marginal Cost"