Variance Analysis

T&P Fashion Shops

T&P Fashion Shops is a new chain that operates 10 stores in major malls throughout the United States. Each store manager is responsible for preparing a flexible budget for the store. T&P headquarters accumulates and analyzes the information for each store and in the aggregate.

Below is the forecast (budgeted income statement) for the Houston store showing the breakdown of fixed and variable expenses in columns two through four. The last column shows the actual results.

T&P Fashions – Houston Store
Breakdown of Expenses (Forecast)
Forecast	Fixed	Variable	Actual
Revenues	$1,400,000	$1,260,000
Cost of Sales	790,000	790,000	760,000
Gross Profit	$610,000	$500,000
Management	182,000	154,700	27,300	182,000
Shop assistants	258,000	154,800	103,200	262,000
Rent	23,200	18,560	4,640	22,000
Utilities	34,800	34,800	31,000
Misc. expenses	24,500	12,250	12,250	29,000
Total expenses	$522,500	$526,000
Net income	$87,500	$(26,000)
=========	=========

Additional Information

• Variable expenses are based on revenues and we assume that the percentage remains constant for flexible budgeting purposes.
• Fixed costs are all within the relevant range.
• Other expenses are all specific to this store. Headquarters pay for marketing and corporate overhead expenses.

CASE ASSIGNMENT

Required:

Computations (use Excel)

1. Prepare a flexible budget and show variances for the year that passed. Indicate whether the flexible budget variances are favorable or unfavorable.
2. Headquarters are contemplating charging each store a 5% marketing expense based on sales. How will that affect the operating profit of the store and the money available for managerial bonuses based on actual results for the past year? Summarize the information in a table.

Memo (use Word)

Write a 4- or 5-paragraph memo to the division manager explaining the flexible budget variances; how to interpret the information and what action, if any to take. Comment on the 5% marketing proposal too. Start with an introduction and end with a recommendation. Each of the four or five paragraphs should have a heading.

Short Essay (use Word)

Start with an introduction and end with a summary or conclusion. Use headings.

• Discuss how to interpret static and flexible budget variances.
• What are the benefits of variance analysis? How can such analysis be detrimental rather than beneficial to the organization?

ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS

Each submission should include two files: (1) An Excel file and (2) a Word document. The Word document shows the memo first and short essay last. Assume a knowledgeable business audience and use required format and length. Individuals in business are busy and want information presented in an organized and concise manner.