Skip to content
ACCA exam results — Are you ready?Chat about it >>

Ask the Tutor ACCA MA

Idle Time question

AAyman4y ago
Budgeted production in a factory for next period is 4800 units. Each unit requires five labour hours to make. Labour is paid $10 per hour. Idle time represents 20% of the total labour time. What is the budgeted total labour cost for the next period? I did this question and got $288000 as the answer, but I am not sure if it is correct.
John MoffatJohn MoffatTutor4y ago#1
Why are you attempting a question for which you do not have an answer? You should be using a Revision Kit from one of the ACCA Approved Publishers - they have answers and workings :-) Your answer is not correct. If 20% of the total time is idle, then only 80% of the time paid for is used to actually make the units. They will be working 4,800 x 5 = 24,000 hours and therefore they will have to pay for 24,000/80% = 30,000 hours. (And it checks - 20% x 30,000 = 6,000 hours idle, leaving 24,000 hours worked). Therefore the total labour cost is 30,000 hours x $10 per hour = $300,000.
AAyman4y ago#2
Thank you for the explanation Sir, I understand my mistake now. This question was from a mock exam that's why there wasn't an answer for the question.
John MoffatJohn MoffatTutor4y ago#3
You are welcome.
This topic is locked — no new replies.