Question

Difficulty: MediumDirect Costs and Calculation of Prime Cost

The following operational details were extracted from the accounts of Zaria Leathercrafts Enterprise for the financial year:

Operational ItemAmount (₦)
Opening inventory of raw materials50,000
Purchases of raw materials240,000
Carriage inwards on raw materials18,000
Closing inventory of raw materials38,000
Direct factory wages160,000
Royalties paid on production30,000
Factory supervisor salary75,000
Depreciation of factory machinery40,000

What is the prime cost of production for the period?

Answer: 460000

Answer

The prime cost of production for the period is ₦460,000.
Prime Cost is the sum of all direct manufacturing costs. It is calculated by adding the cost of raw materials consumed (₦50,000 + ₦240,000 + ₦18,000 - ₦38,000 = ₦270,000), direct factory wages (₦160,000), and direct expenses such as royalties (₦30,000), giving a total of ₦460,000. Indirect expenses like factory supervisor salary and depreciation of machinery are factory overheads and are excluded.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate the cost of raw materials consumed
₦270,000
Raw materials consumed is computed as opening stock of raw materials (₦50,000) plus purchases (₦240,000) plus carriage inwards on raw materials (₦18,000) minus closing stock of raw materials (₦38,000).
2
Identify direct cost components
Direct wages = ₦160,000; Direct expenses (royalties) = ₦30,000
Direct costs are expenses directly traceable to the physical unit produced. Royalties and direct wages are direct costs, while supervisor salaries and machinery depreciation are indirect factory overheads.
3
Sum direct materials, direct wages, and direct expenses
₦460,000
Prime Cost = Raw Materials Consumed + Direct Wages + Direct Expenses = ₦270,000 + ₦160,000 + ₦30,000 = ₦460,000.

Key Concept

Prime Cost Calculation in Manufacturing Accounts
Rate this question