Question

Difficulty: Very hardDirect Costs and Calculation of Prime Cost

Lekki Craftwork Industries extracted the following financial data from its operational books for the accounting year ended 31 December 2025:

Account DetailsAmount (₦)
Opening inventory of raw materials45,000
Purchases of raw materials180,000
Returns outward of raw materials15,000
Carriage inwards on raw materials12,000
Closing inventory of raw materials32,000
Direct wages paid110,000
Direct wages accrued at year-end10,000
Hire of special production equipment25,000
Royalties paid on technical designs18,000
Carriage outwards8,000
Factory supervisor's salary35,000
Depreciation of factory machinery20,000

What is the prime cost for the year?

  1. A
    ₦408,000
  2. B
    ₦351,000
  3. ₦353,000Answer
  4. D
    ₦388,000

Answer

The prime cost for the year is ₦353,000.
Prime cost is determined by combining all direct manufacturing costs:
1. Raw Materials Consumed: 45,000+180,00015,000+12,00032,000=190,000₦45,000 + ₦180,000 - ₦15,000 + ₦12,000 - ₦32,000 = ₦190,000
2. Direct Labour: 110,000+10,000=120,000₦110,000 + ₦10,000 = ₦120,000
3. Direct Expenses: 25,000+18,000=43,000₦25,000 + ₦18,000 = ₦43,000
Prime Cost=190,000+120,000+43,000=353,000\text{Prime Cost} = ₦190,000 + ₦120,000 + ₦43,000 = ₦353,000
Factory supervisor salary and depreciation are factory overheads, while carriage outwards is an operational selling expense.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate the cost of raw materials consumed
₦190,000
Cost of Raw Materials Consumed = Opening Inventory (₦45,000) + Purchases (₦180,000) - Returns Outward (₦15,000) + Carriage Inwards (₦12,000) - Closing Inventory (₦32,000) = ₦190,000.
2
Adjust direct wages for year-end accruals
₦120,000
Total Direct Labour = Direct Wages Paid (₦110,000) + Accrued Direct Wages (₦10,000) = ₦120,000.
3
Sum all direct production expenses
₦43,000
Direct Expenses = Hire of Special Equipment (₦25,000) + Royalties Paid (₦18,000) = ₦43,000.
4
Compute Prime Cost by summing direct materials, direct labour, and direct expenses
₦353,000
Prime Cost = Raw Materials Consumed (₦190,000) + Direct Labour (₦120,000) + Direct Expenses (₦43,000) = ₦353,000.

Key Concept

Prime cost is the sum of all direct costs of production: direct materials consumed, direct labor, and direct expenses. Indirect costs (factory overheads) and distribution expenses (carriage outwards) are strictly excluded.
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