Assume the following standard cost information:

Standard cost per unit

Direct materials 10 components at $0.41 per unit 4.10
Direct labor 25 units produced per DLH at $37.50 1.50
VOH $27 per DLH 1.08
Fixed OH Per DLH $57.48 2.30
Standard cost per unit 8.98

Actual information for the year is provided below

1. Actual production: 2,730,000 units

Actual direct material purchased: 28,000,000 components at actual cost of $0.43 per component

Actual direct materials used: 26,361,000 components

Actual direct labor hour used: 103,000 hours paying $38.00 per hour.

Actual variable overhead: $ 2,940,000

Actual fixed overhead: $ 6,000,000

a. Prepare the material usage variance, the direct labor variances and the overhead variances.

b. Prepare the material price variance.

c. After computing the individual variances, are there any variances that need to be investigated given the assumption that any variance in excess of 1% should be investigated? Explain.

d. For the variances computed, discuss the potential causes of the variances and the departments responsible for the variances.

2. The usefulness of standard costing is being challenged in recent years. There are those who claim that its usefulness is an impediment in the advanced manufacturing environment that many feel is vital in today's competitive environment. Discuss the role and the value of standard costing in today's manufacturing environment. Be sure to address the following questions:

a. What are the major criticisms of standard costing?

b. What are the major advantages, if any, of standard costing?