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Microlesson · 5-min read

AS 2 – Cost of Conversion and Fixed Overhead Allocation

## Cost of Conversion

Applies to manufactured goods (converting RM → FG). Includes:

1. Direct Costs: Direct Material + Direct Labour + Direct Expenses

2. Variable Production Overheads: Allocated based on actual capacity used

3. Fixed Production Overheads: Allocated based on normal capacity

## Fixed Overhead Allocation — The Core Rule

$$\text{Fixed OH Rate} = \frac{\text{Fixed OH}}{\max(\text{Normal Capacity, Actual Production})}$$

Why: Normal capacity prevents low-output periods from inflating unit cost. But if actual > normal, using normal would over-absorb (more than 100%), so we cap at actual.

### Three Scenarios:

SituationDivide ByAbsorbed into InventoryBalance to P&L
Actual \< NormalNormal capacityRate × Actual unitsRemaining (loss)
Actual = NormalNormal capacityFull Fixed OHNIL
Actual > NormalActual capacityFull Fixed OH (lower rate)NIL

Unabsorbed fixed overhead (when actual \< normal) is treated as a period expense — charged to P&L, NOT carried forward in inventory.

Worked example

### Example 1

Case 1: Actual < Normal

Factory Rent ₹1,50,000 | Normal capacity: 1,00,000 units | Actual: 75,000 units

Rate = ₹1,50,000 ÷ 1,00,000 = ₹1.50 p.u.

Absorbed = 75,000 × ₹1.50 = ₹1,12,500 → added to inventory

Unabsorbed = ₹1,50,000 − ₹1,12,500 = ₹37,500 → P&L expense

### Example 2

Case 2: Actual = Normal

Factory Rent ₹1,50,000 | Normal: 1,00,000 | Actual: 1,00,000

Rate = ₹1.50 p.u. | Absorbed = ₹1,50,000 → full amount to inventory | Nil to P&L

### Example 3

Case 3: Actual > Normal

Factory Rent ₹1,50,000 | Normal: 1,00,000 | Actual: 1,20,000

Divide by ACTUAL (higher): Rate = ₹1,50,000 ÷ 1,20,000 = ₹1.25 p.u.

Absorbed = 1,20,000 × ₹1.25 = ₹1,50,000 → full amount to inventory | Nil to P&L

### Example 4

Q (Ques 7): Fixed OH ₹75,000 | Normal: 15,000 kg | Actual production: 10,200 kg

Divide by Normal (higher): Rate = ₹75,000 ÷ 15,000 = ₹5 p.u.

Absorbed = 10,200 × ₹5 = ₹51,000 → to inventory

Unabsorbed = ₹75,000 − ₹51,000 = ₹24,000 → P&L

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Dividing fixed OH by actual capacity when actual < normal — must always divide by NORMAL capacity (unless actual exceeds normal)
  • When actual > normal, forgetting to divide by actual — dividing by normal here would allocate MORE than total fixed OH to inventory
  • Transferring the entire fixed OH to inventory regardless of capacity differences — the unabsorbed portion must go to P&L
  • Confusing variable OH (actual capacity basis) with fixed OH (normal capacity basis)
Bare-Act text Para 8–9 · AS 2 – Valuation of Inventories · click to expand
Fixed production overheads are those indirect costs of production that remain relatively constant regardless of the volume of production, such as depreciation and maintenance of factory buildings and the cost of factory management and administration. The allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion is based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. Normal capacity is the production expected to be achieved on an average over a number of periods or seasons under normal circumstances, taking into account the loss of capacity resulting from planned maintenance.
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