Direct Material Usage Variance
Direct Material Usage Variance, also known as Direct Material Quantity Variance, is a term used in cost accounting to measure the difference between the actual quantity of materials used in production and the standard quantity that should have been used, according to the standard set by the company. The standard quantity is usually established based on historical data or industry benchmarks.
The formula for calculating the Direct Material Usage Variance is:
Material Usage Variance = (Actual Quantity Used – Standard Quantity) * Standard Cost per Unit
If the variance is positive, it means that the company used more materials than expected, which is considered unfavorable because it indicates inefficiency in the production process.
If the variance is negative, it means that the company used fewer materials than expected, which is considered favorable as it suggests better efficiency.
This variance helps companies identify inefficiencies in their production process, such as waste or poor quality materials leading to rework. However, it’s also important to remember that a favorable variance (using less material) isn’t always a good sign—it could indicate that the quality of the products is being compromised.
Example of a Direct Material Usage Variance
Let’s consider a company that manufactures wooden chairs. The standard material usage is set at 10 feet of wood per chair, which costs $5 per foot.
Let’s say during one month, the company manufactures 100 chairs. According to the standard, they should have used 1,000 feet of wood (10 feet/chair * 100 chairs).
However, due to inefficiencies in the production process, they actually used 1,100 feet of wood.
The Direct Material Usage Variance can be calculated as follows:
Material Usage Variance = (Actual Quantity Used – Standard Quantity) * Standard Cost per Unit
= (1,100 feet – 1,000 feet) * $5/foot
= 100 feet * $5/foot
= $500
The positive variance of $500 indicates that the company used more wood than expected, leading to a higher cost of $500. This is considered an unfavorable variance because it suggests inefficiencies in the production process.
The company could then use this information to investigate the cause of the higher usage. Perhaps the quality of the wood was poor leading to more waste, or the cutting process was not accurate leading to inefficient use. By identifying the causes, the company can take steps to improve its processes and reduce costs in the future.
