Exam 11: Cost Behavior, Operating Leverage, and Profitability Analysis

What is meant by the phrase, "cost structure?"

Assume that wages expense is a variable cost and that the relevant range is 10,000 to 15,000 labor hours. Within that range, the cost is $15 per hour. What can you assume about wages expense outside this range?

Former NFL coach Joe Gibbs is highly sought after as a guest speaker. His fee can run as high as $150,000 for a single two-hour appearance. Recently, he was asked to speak at a seminar offered by the National Sports in Education Foundation (NSEF). Due to the charitable nature of the organization, Mr. Gibbs offered to speak for $100,000. NSEF planned to invite 350 guests who would each make a $500 contribution to the organization. The Foundation's executive director was concerned about committing so much of the organization's cash to this one event. So instead of the $100,000 fee she countered with an offer to pay Mr. Gibbs 50% of the revenue received from the seminar and no other payments. Required: Classify the two offers in terms of cost behavior (fixed vs. variable): Scenario A, NSEF pays Gibbs a $100,000 fee. Scenario B, NSEF pays Gibbs 50% of revenue.Compute the budgeted income (assuming there are no other expenses) under each of the following scenarios:NSEF agrees to pay the $100,000 fee, and 350 guests actually attend the seminar; andNSEF pays Mr. Gibbs 50% of revenue, and 350 guests attend the seminar.For each scenario ($100,000 fee vs. 50% of revenue), compute the percentage increase in profit that would result if the Foundation is able to increase attendance by 20 percent over the original plan (to a total of 420). (Round the percentages to the nearest whole numbers.) For each scenario, compute NSEF's cost per contributor if 350 attend and if 420 contributors attend. (Round the cost per contributor to two decimal points.) Summarize the impact on risk and profits of shifting the cost structure from fixed to variable costs.