Prepare a flexible budget and compute the sales and variable cost volume variances:

QUESTION

I need help understanding if I have completed the Excel portion of this assignment correctly. Below is the assignment. I’m attaching an example which is the example we are to follow, and the template, which is what I have filled in. Use Excel—showing all work and formulas—to complete the following: need a flexible budget. Compute the sales volume variance and the variable cost volume variances based on a comparison between the master budget and the flexible budget. Compute flexible budget variances by comparing the flexible budget with the actual results. Problem 8-19A Analyzing not-for-profit entity variances The Redmond Management Association held its annual public relations luncheon in April Year 2. Based on the previous year’s results, the organization allocated $25,290 of its operating budget to cover the cost of the luncheon. To ensure that costs would be appropriately controlled, Molly Hubbard, the treasurer, prepared the following budget for the Year 2 luncheon. The budget for the luncheon was based on the following expectations: 1. The meal cost per person was expected to be $14.50. The cost driver for meals was attendance, which was expected to be 1,400 individuals. 2. Postage was based on $0.49 per invitation and 3,000 invitations were expected to be mailed. The cost driver for postage was number of invitations mailed. 3. The facility charge is $1,000 for a room that will accommodate up to 1,600 people; the charge forPage 379 one to hold more than 1,600 people is $1,500. 4. A fixed amount was designated for printing, decorations, the speaker’s gift, and publicity. REDMOND MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION Public Relations Luncheon Budget April Year 2 Operating funds allocated $25,290 Expenses Variable costs Meals (1,400 × $14.50) 20,300 Postage (3,000 × $0.49) 1,470 Fixed costs Facility 1,000 Printing 950 Decorations 840 Speaker’s gift 130 Publicity 600 Total expenses 25,290 Budget surplus (deficit) $0 Actual results for the luncheon follow. REDMOND MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION Actual Results for Public Relations Luncheon April Year 2 Operating funds allocated $25,290 Expenses Variable costs Meals (1,620 × $15.50) 25,110 Postage (4,000 × $0.49) 1,960 Fixed costs Facility 1,500 Printing 950 Decorations 840 Speaker’s gift 130 Publicity 600 Total expenses 31,090 Budget deficit $ (5,800) Reasons for the differences between the budgeted and actual data follow. 1. The president of the organization, Rodney Snow, increased the invitation list to include 1,000 former members. As a result, 4,000 invitations were mailed. 2. Attendance was 1,620 individuals. Because of higher-than-expected attendance, the luncheon was moved to a larger room, thereby increasing the facility charge to $1,500. 3. At the last minute, Ms. Hubbard decided to add a dessert to the menu, which increased the meal cost to $15.50 per person. 4. Printing, decorations, the speaker’s gift, and publicity costs were as budgeted. Required a. Prepare a flexible budget and compute the sales and variable cost volume variances based on a comparison between the master budget and the flexible budget. b. Compute flexible budget variances by comparing the flexible budget with the actual results. c. Mr. Snow was extremely upset with the budget deficit. He immediately called Ms. Hubbard to complain about the budget variance for the meal cost. He told Ms. Hubbard that the added dessert caused the meal cost to be $4,810 ($25,110 − $20,300) over budget. He added, “I could expect a couple of hundred dollars one way or the other, but several thousand is totally unacceptable. At the next meeting of the budget committee, I want you to explain what happened.” Assume that you are Ms. Hubbard. What would you tell the members of the budget committee? d. Since this is a not-for-profit organization, why should anyone be concerned with meeting the budget?

ANSWER

Prepare a flexible budget and compute the sales and variable cost volume variances:

Flexible Budget Preparation: To create a flexible budget, you’ll need to adjust the original budget figures based on the actual number of attendees and invitations mailed.

Meals: Instead of using the expected attendance of 1,400, use the actual attendance of 1,620 individuals to calculate the meals cost.

Postage: Instead of using the expected 3,000 invitations, use the actual 4,000 invitations to calculate the postage cost.

Facility: The facility charge should be $1,500 due to the change in room size.

Other fixed costs: These remain unchanged.

Sales Volume Variance: Calculate the difference between the flexible budget revenue (based on actual attendance) and the original budgeted revenue: Sales Volume Variance = (Actual Attendance × Expected Meal Cost) – (Expected Attendance × Expected Meal Cost)

Variable Cost Volume Variances: Calculate the difference between the flexible budget variable costs (based on actual attendance and invitations) and the original budgeted variable costs for meals and postage.

Compute flexible budget variances

Calculate the flexible budget variances for each cost item by comparing the flexible budget amounts with the actual results.

Meals Variance: Actual Meals Cost – Flexible Budget Meals Cost

Postage Variance: Actual Postage Cost – Flexible Budget Postage Cost

Facility Variance: Actual Facility Cost – Flexible Budget Facility Cost

Other Fixed Costs Variance: No variance for these items, as they were budgeted as fixed amounts.

 Explanation to the Budget Committee: If you were Ms. Hubbard, you would explain to the budget committee that the added dessert led to a higher meal cost per person, which in turn caused the overall meal expenses to exceed the budget. You would provide the actual figures and the adjusted meal cost per person and explain that the variance was primarily due to this change. You might also mention that attendance was higher than expected, leading to increased facility charges.

dImportance of Meeting the Budget for a Not-for-Profit Organization

In an essay format optimized for SEO, you could discuss the following points:

Financial Stewardship: Not-for-profit organizations are responsible for managing resources efficiently and transparently. Meeting the budget demonstrates prudent financial management and a commitment to utilizing donor funds responsibly.

Mission Alignment: A budget represents the organization’s plan to achieve its mission. Deviating significantly from the budget might impact the organization’s ability to fulfill its purpose effectively.

Accountability to Stakeholders: Donors, board members, and other stakeholders rely on budget adherence as a measure of the organization’s credibility and trustworthiness.

Resource Allocation: Sticking to the budget allows for effective allocation of resources. Funds can be directed toward programs, initiatives, and services that directly contribute to the organization’s mission.

Long-Term Sustainability: Consistently exceeding the budget may lead to financial instability. A balanced budget ensures that the organization can continue its operations and fulfill its commitments over time.

Remember, while I can’t view attachments or review your actual Excel sheet, these guidelines should help you understand the steps to take and the concepts involved in completing the Excel portion of the assignment. If you have specific questions about formulas or calculations, feel free to ask!

 

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