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4.2: Comparison of Job Costing with Process Costing

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    SKILLS TO LEARN
    • Compare and contrast job costing and process costing.

    Question: A process costing system1 is used by companies that produce similar or identical units of product in batches employing a consistent process. Examples of companies that use process costing include Chevron Corporation (petroleum products), the Wrigley Company (chewing gum), and Pittsburgh Paints (paint). A job costing system2 is used by companies that produce unique products or jobs. Examples of companies that use job costing systems include Boeing (airplanes), Lockheed Martin (advanced technology systems), and Deloitte & Touche (accounting). What are the similarities and differences between job costing and process costing systems?

    Answer

    Although these systems have marked differences, they are also similar in many ways. (As you read through this section, refer to Chapter 1 for a review of important terms if necessary.) Recall the three inventory accounts that accountants use to track product cost information—raw materials inventory, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods inventory. These three inventory accounts are used to record product cost information for both process costing and job costing systems. However, several work-in-process inventory accounts are typically used in a process costing system to track the flow of product costs through each production department. Thus each department has its own work-in-process inventory account. (For the purposes of this chapter, assume each department represents a production process. This explains the term process costing because we are tracking costs by process.) The sum of all work-in-process inventory accounts represents total work in process for the company.

    Recall the three components of product costs—direct materials, direct labor, and manufacturing overhead. Assigning these product costs to individual products remains an important goal for process costing, just as with job costing. However, instead of assigning product costs to individual jobs (shown on a job cost sheet), process costing assigns these costs to departments (shown on a departmental production cost report).

    Figure 4.1 shows how product costs flow through accounts for job costing and process costing systems. Table 4.1 outlines the similarities and differences between these two costing systems. Review these illustrations carefully before moving on to the next section.

    Figure 4.1a.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\): .1b.png" />

    Figure 4.1 - A Comparison of Cost Flows for Job Costing and Process Costing

    Table 4.1 - A Comparison of Process Costing and Job Costing
    Product Costs
    Similarities Product costs consist of direct materials, direct labor, and manufacturing overhead.
    Differences Process Costing Job Costing
    Product costs are assigned to departments (or processes). Product costs are assigned to jobs.
    Unit Cost Information
    Similarities Unit cost information is needed by management for decision-making purposes.
    Differences Process Costing Job Costing
    Unit cost information comes from the departmental production cost report. Unit cost information comes from the job cost sheet.
    Inventory Accounts
    Similarities Inventory accounts include raw materials inventory, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods inventory.
    Differences Process Costing Job Costing
    Several different work-in-process inventory accounts are used—one for each department (or process). One work-in-process inventory account is used—job cost sheets track costs assigned to each job.
    BUSINESS IN ACTION 4.1

    The Production Process at Coca-Cola

    Figure 4.1BA.png

    Source: Photo courtesy of Simon Berry, http://www.flickr.com/photos/bezznet/3105213435/.

    The Coca-Cola Company is one of the world’s largest producers of nonalcoholic beverages. According to the company, more than 11,000 of its soft drinks are consumed every second of every day.

    In the first stage of production, Coca-Cola mixes direct materials—water, refined sugar, and secret ingredients—to make the liquid for its beverages. The second stage includes filling cleaned and sanitized bottles before placing a cap on each bottle. In the third stage, filled bottles are inspected, labeled, and packaged.

    Work in process begins with the first stage of production (mixing and blending), continues with the second stage (bottling), and ends with the third stage (inspecting, labeling, and packaging). When products have gone through all three stages of production, they are shipped to a warehouse, and the costs are entered into finished goods inventory. Once products are delivered to retail stores, product costs are transferred from finished goods inventory to cost of goods sold.

    Source: Coca-Cola Company, “Home Page,” http://www2.coca-cola.com/ourcompany/bottlingtoday.

    Key Takeaway

    A process costing system is used by companies that produce similar or identical units of product in batches employing a consistent process. A job costing system is used by companies that produce unique products or jobs. Process costing systems track costs by processing department, whereas job costing systems track costs by job.

    REVIEW PROBLEM 4.1

    Identify whether each business listed in the following would use job costing or process costing.

    1. Trash bag manufacturer
    2. Custom furniture manufacturer
    3. Shampoo manufacturer
    4. Automobile repair shop
    5. Sports drink manufacturer
    6. Antique boat restorer
    Answer
    1. Process costing
    2. Job costing
    3. Process costing
    4. Job costing
    5. Process costing
    6. Job costing

    Definitions

    1. A system of assigning costs used by companies that produce similar or identical units of product in batches employing a consistent process.
    2. A system of assigning costs used by companies that produce unique products or jobs.

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