Dual rate cost allocation method example

A number of methods used for cost allocation:

  • Single-rate method
  • Dual-rate method

Support department costs allocation:

  • Direct method
  • Step-down method
  • Reciprocal method

Common costs allocation:

  • Stand-alone method
  • Incremental method
  • Single-rate method

 In the single-rate cost allocation method fixed and variable costs are considered as ONE POOL.

No difference is recognized between them despite variable costs and fixed costs behave differently.

A single cost allocation rate per unit is used for both variable costs and fixed costs.

  • Dual-rate method

Dual rate cost allocation method categorizes cost into TWO types of cost pools: fixed costs and variable costs.

Variable cost pool and fixed cost pool each have their own appropriate cost allocation rate.

This allows a more specific review of costs and leads to more precise cost allocations.

For both the single-rate method and the dual-rate methods costs can be allocated basing either on a budgeted rate or actual cost rate.

Budgeted cost rate is PREFERRED for cost allocation.

Actual cost rate is not recommended and not widely used in practice.

Single-rate method vs dual-rate method

Advantage of the single-rate method is low implementation costs. Single-rate method doesn’t require  detailed analysis to classify the costs into fixed and variable pools.

Disadvantage of the single-rate method is that it could lead to managerial decisions favorable for one department, but not efficient for organization as a whole.

Advantage of the dual-rate method is that it takes into account behavioral difference of fixed costs and variable costs. Information provided by the dual-rate method  favorable for organization as a whole and each division.

Disadvantage of the dual-rate method is cost associated with its implementation.

Methods to allocate support costs to operating departments:

  •  Direct method

Direct cost allocation method ignores ant services provided by one support division to another support division. This method is easy to implement, inexpensive and requires a little training.

  • Step-down method (also known as step allocation method or sequential method)

Step-down cost allocation method recognizes the cost of services provided by one support division to another support division prior to allocating cost pool for remaining services to the core divisions. The services rendered by each cost pool to another cost pool are not recognized.

  •  Reciprocal method

Reciprocal cost allocation method aimed to adjust budgeted costs to include in divisions’ cost pools cost of mutual services provided by support departments.

Methods for common costs allocation (i.e. costs share by two or more divisions):

  • Stand-alone method

Under stand-alone cost allocation method information related to each cost object used to determine the cost allocation rate.

  • Incremental method

Under incremental cost allocation method individual cost objects are ranked and costs are allocated between cost objects using this ranking.

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What is dual rate method of cost allocation?

In cost accounting, the dual rate cost allocation method categorizes cost into two types of cost pools: fixed costs and variable costs. You calculate a different cost allocation rate for each cost pool. A more specific review of costs leads to more precise cost allocations.

What is the difference between single and dual rate allocation?

The main difference between the single rate and dual rate method is that the single rate method allocates the rate per unit of cost allocation for both variable and fixed cost.

What are examples of allocated cost?

Allocated cost types might include fabrication costs, sales costs, project management costs, and associated fixed costs. Another example, a company might allocate or assign the cost of an expensive computer system to the three main areas of the company that uses the system.

Why might you prefer the dual rate method?

The dual-rate method may be preferred as it provides a more reined allocaion of the power department costs and allows the facility to use diferent allocaion bases for diferent cost pools.