Assignment - Cost-Volume-Profit

Question 1:

Crescent Corporation manufactures multi-function photocopiers that are sold through a network of independent sales agents. These sales agents sell a variety of products to businesses in addition to crescent's photocopiers.  The sales agents are paid a 19% commission on sales, and this commission rate was used when Crescent's management prepared the following budgeted income statement for the coming year:

Sales

$15,000,000

Cost of goods sold

  Variable

$8,400,000

  Fixed

1,400,000

9,800,000

Gross margin

5,200,000

Selling and administrative expenses:

  Commissions

2,850,000

  Fixed advertising expense

400,000

  Fixed administrative expense

1,600,000

4,850,000

Operating income

$350,000

Since the completion of the above statement, Crescent's management has learned that the independent sales agents are demanding an increase in the sales commission rate to 22% of sales for the upcoming year.  This would be the third increase in commissions in five years. As a result, Crescent management has decided to investigate the possibility of the hiring its own sales staff to replace the independent sales agents.

Crescent's controller estimates the company will have to hire six salespeople to cover the current market area, and the total annual payroll cost of these employees will be about $350,000, including benefits.  The salespeople will also be paid commissions of 12% of sales.  Travel and entertainment expenses are expected to be $200,000 for the year.  The company will also have to hire a sales manager whose salary and benefits will total approximately $100,000 per year.  To make up for promotions that the independent agents have been running on behalf of Crescent, management believes the comoany's budget for fixed advertising expenses will increase by $250,000.

Required:

Assuming sales of $15,000,000, construct a budgeted contribution-format income statement for the upcoming year for each of the following activities:

The independent sales agents commission remains unchanged at 19%

The independent sales agents commission increases to 22%

The company employs its own sales force

Calculate Crescent Corporation's break-even point in sales dollars for theupcoming year assuming the following:

The independent sales agents commission remains unchanged at 19%

The independent sales agents commission increases to 22%

The company employs its own sales force

Refer to your answer to 1(b) above.  If the company employs its own sales force, what volume of sales would be necessary to  generate the operating income the company would realize if sales are $15,000,000 and the company continues to sell through agents (at a 22% commission rate)?

Determine the volume of sales at which operating income would be the equal regardless of whether Crescent Corporation sells through sales agents ( at 22% commission rate) or employs its own sales force.

Would you recommend the company retain the sales agents at 22% commission or would you recommend that the company employ its own sales force? Provide a detailed explanation to support your recommendation.