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Microlesson · 5-min read

Apportioning Joint Costs — Market Value Methods

# Apportioning Joint Costs — Market Value Methods

Market value methods allocate joint cost based on the relative sales value of each joint product, on the principle that a product's ability to bear cost is proportional to its revenue.

## Method III — Market Value at Point of Separation

Use this when each product can be sold at the split-off point.

ItemJoint Product 1Joint Product 2
Sales price at split-off (per unit)xxxx
Less: Selling expenses(xx)(xx)
Net Market Price at split-offxxxx
× Units producedxxxx
Total valuexxxxxx

Allocate total joint cost in the ratio of the final-row totals.

## Method IV — Market Value After Further Processing

Use when products cannot reasonably be sold at split-off and must be processed further before sale.

ItemJoint Product 1Joint Product 2
Sales price after further processingxxxx
× Units after further processingxxxx
Final valuexxxxxx

Allocate joint cost in the ratio of final values.

Note: This method does not deduct further processing costs — that's the NRV method's job.

Worked example

### Example 1

Method III: Joint cost = ₹1,00,000. At split-off: A sells at ₹50/unit (5,000 units) with ₹5/unit selling exp; B sells at ₹40/unit (3,000 units) with ₹4/unit selling exp.

  • Net price A = 50 − 5 = ₹45; Total A = 45 × 5,000 = ₹2,25,000
  • Net price B = 40 − 4 = ₹36; Total B = 36 × 3,000 = ₹1,08,000
  • Ratio = 2,25,000 : 1,08,000 ≈ 25 : 12
  • Cost A = 1,00,000 × 225/333 = ₹67,568
  • Cost B = 1,00,000 × 108/333 = ₹32,432

### Example 2

Method IV: Joint cost = ₹80,000. After further processing: A sells at ₹100/unit (1,000 units); B sells at ₹60/unit (2,000 units).

  • A: 100 × 1,000 = ₹1,00,000
  • B: 60 × 2,000 = ₹1,20,000
  • Cost A = 80,000 × 100/220 = ₹36,364
  • Cost B = 80,000 × 120/220 = ₹43,636

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Deducting further processing cost in Method IV — that converts it into the NRV method.
  • Using post-split-off prices in Method III when split-off prices are available.
  • Forgetting to multiply by units — using only per-unit prices distorts the ratio when output quantities differ.
Reference:
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