Response to the following problem:
Wilmington Chemical Company manufactures specialty chemicals by a series of three processes, all materials being introduced in the Distilling Department. From the Distilling Department, the materials pass through the Reaction and Filling departments, emerging as finished chemicals.
The balance in the account Work in Process-Filling was as follows on December 1, 2010:
Work in Process-Filling Department
(2,800 units, 60% completed):
Direct materials (2,800 × $14.60).........................$40,880
Conversion (2,800 × 60% × $9.25)......................15,540
$56,420
The following costs were charged to Work in Process-Filling during December:
Direct materials transferred from Reaction
Department: 36,200 units at $14.40 a unit............$521,280
Direct labor..................................................167,900
Factory overhead...........................................166,025
During December, 35,900 units of specialty chemicals were completed. Work in Process-Filling Department on December 31 was 3,100 units, 30% completed.
Instructions:
1. Prepare a cost of production report for the Filling Department for December.
2. Journalize the entries for costs transferred from Reaction to Filling and the cost transferred from filling to finished goods.
3. Determine the increase or decrease in the cost per equivalent unit from November to December for direct materials and conversion costs.
4. Discuss the uses of the cost of production report and the results of part (3).