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Throughput accounting ratio

The throughput accounting ratio compares return per bottleneck time unit with operating cost per bottleneck time unit. Under the conventional model, return is sales less direct material; factory operating cost excludes direct material. A ratio above one indicates throughput exceeds the assigned operating-cost rate on the assumptions, but product ranking and total system profit still need demand and capacity analysis. Use consistent time units and the specified available bottleneck capacity.

Worked example

Throughput per bottleneck hour is $120. Factory operating cost is $60,000 for 1,000 bottleneck hours, or $60 per hour. TPAR is 2.

Common mistake

Do not divide by direct material cost again or mix minutes in the numerator with hours in the denominator.

Where it appears in your exams

QualificationExamRelationshipPeriod
ACCA PM Direct September 2026–June 2027