Expense distribution is subdivided in every business having more than one department or shop. The subdivisions of this account are General Expense Distribution and Shop Expense Distribution, an account with the latter being kept for each shop.
The sources of charges to manufacturing accounts are reports of material issued to the factory on production orders, Fig. 9, reports of direct and indirect labor employed on production, Fig. 12, and the expense distribution accounts. Credits to manufacturing accounts are derived from reports of finished jobs, as in Fig. 21.
The sources of charges to expense distribution accounts are: reports of material issued to the factory to be used for repairs, Fig. 9, reports of supplies issued, Fig. 11, reports of labor employed on repair jobs, Fig. 12, and the different accounts covering expense items that must be apportioned. A credit to expense distribution account, with a corresponding charge to manufacturing account, closes this account monthly.
50. Controlling Account Entries. The accuracy of the entries to controlling accounts in the general books is of the utmost importance. Upon them depends the proof of accuracy of the cost figures of the cost department on individual jobs.
Material and labor costs are accurately determined. The value of material drawn for all purposes, as shown by the report in Fig. 9, is credited to material purchase accounts, and these accounts are checked against the storeroom records. Reports of supplies drawn are handled in the same manner. The labor report, Fig. 12, covers all labor charges and must agree with the pay-roll for the period covered.
In the distribution of expense, however, there are many opportunities for error. While the total expense to be charged against the factory for a given period is accurately determined, the amount is not known until the end of the period. This is represented by the amounts charged to the different expense distribution accounts. In the meantime, to determine the cost of individual jobs, it is necessary to apportion expense on a percentage basis, as explained in the discussion of that subject. Since that ratio for the current period is unknown, it is necessary to assume that the actual ratio for the preceding period still is correct; therefore, that ratio is used in figuring the cost of all jobs. It is only when the expense distribution for the current period is made on the general books and the true ratio determined, that discrepancies, if any, are discovered. Unless the distribution is accurate, the resulting ratio will be incorrect.
GENERAL OFFICES OF THE PLATT IRON WORKS, DAYTON, OHIO