Predetermined Overhead Rate Formula

Formula to Calculate Predetermined Overhead Rate

Predetermined Overhead ratePredetermined Overhead RatePredetermined overhead rate is the distribution of expected manufacturing cost to the presumed units of machine-hours, direct labour hours, direct material, etc., for acquiring the per-unit expense before every accounting period.read more is that rate, which shall be used to calculate an estimate on the projects which are yet to commence for overhead costs. It would involve calculating a known cost (like Labor cost) and then applying an overhead rate (which was predetermined) to this to project an unknown cost (which is the overhead amount). The formula for calculating Predetermined Overhead Rate is represented as follows

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For eg:
Source: Predetermined Overhead Rate Formula (wallstreetmojo.com)

Where,

• O/H is overhead
• Total base units could be the number of units or labor hours etc.

Predetermined Overhead Rate Calculation (Step by Step)

Examples

Example #1

Suppose that X limited produces a product X and uses labor hours to assign the manufacturing overhead cost. The estimated manufacturing overhead was $155,000, and the estimated labor hours involved were 1,200 hours. You are required to compute a predetermined overhead rate.

Solution

Here the labor hours will be base units.

Use the following data for calculation predetermined overhead rate

• Manufacturing O/H Cost: 150000
• Labour hours (Total Base Unit): 1200

Calculation of the predetermined overhead rate can be done as follows:

=150000/1200

Predetermined Overhead Rate will be –

Predetermined Overhead Rate = 125 per direct labor hour

Example #2

Gambier is head of TVS Inc. He is considering the launch of the new product, VXM. However, he wants to consider the pricing for the same. He has asked the production head to come up with the details of costing based on existing product overhead costs to apply the same to product VXM while making its pricing decisions. The details from the production department are as follows:

Particular	Units	Amount
Direct Labor	Based on labor hours	235000
Direct Material	Based on the number of units	350000
Variable Overhead	Based on labor hours	145000
Fixed Overhead	Based on labor hours	420000
Direct Labor Hours	8500	–

The production head wants to calculate a predetermined overhead rate, as that is the main cost that would be allocated to the new product VXM.  You are required to calculate the predetermined overhead rate.

As the production head wants to calculate the predetermined overhead rate, all the direct costs will be ignored in the calculation, whether it be direct costDirect CostDirect costs are costs incurred by an organization while performing its core business activity and can be attributed directly in the production cost, such as raw material costs, wages paid to factory staff, power & fuel expenses in a factory, and so on, but do not include indirect costs such as advertisement costs, administrative costs, etc.read more (labor or material).

Solution

Calculation of Total Manufacturing Overhead 

The total manufacturing overheadManufacturing OverheadManufacturing Overhead is the total of all the indirect costs involved in manufacturing a product like Property Tax on the production premise, Remunerations of maintenance personnel, Rent of the manufacturing building, etc. read more cost will compose of variable overhead, and fixed overhead, which is the sum of 145,000 + 420,000 equals to 565,000 total manufacturing overhead.

=145000+420000

Total Manufacturing Overhead = 565000

Here the labor hours will be base units

Calculation of the predetermined overhead rate can be done as follows:

=565000/8500

Predetermined Overhead Rate will be –

= 66.47 per direct labor hour

 Hence, this predetermined overhead rate of 66.47 shall be applied to the pricing of the new product VXM.

Example #3

Company X and Company Y are competing to acquire a massive order as that will make them much recognized in the market, and also, the project is lucrative for both of them. After going to its terms and conditions of the bidding, it stated the bid would do on the basis of the overhead rate percentage. The one with the lower shall be awarded the auction winner since this project would involve more overheads. Both of the companies have reported the following overheads.

Particular	Company A	Company B
Factory Rent	35000	38500
Factory Manager Salary	120000	115000
Utilities of Factory	155670	145678
Electricity Bill	45009	51340
Quality Assurance Department	345600	351750
Labour Hours per Unit	2 hrs	1.5 hrs
Number of Units Produced	2000	2500

You are required to calculate the predetermined overhead rate based on the above information and determine the chances of which company is more?

Solution:

We shall first calculate the total manufacturing overhead cost for Company A

=35000+120000+155670+45009+345600

• Total Manufacturing Overheads = 701279

Total Labor Hours will be –

=2000*2

• Total Labor Hours =4000

Calculation of Predetermined Overhead Rate for Company A is as follows

=701279/4000

Predetermined Overhead Rate for Company A will be –

Predetermined Overhead Rate = 175.32

We shall first calculate the total manufacturing overhead cost for Company B

=38500 + 115000 + 145678 + 51340 + 351750

• Total Manufacturing Overheads = 702268

Total Labor Hours will be –

=2500*1.5

• Total Labor Hours =3750

Calculation of Predetermined Overhead Rate for Company B is as follows

=702268/3750

Predetermined Overhead Rate for Company B will be –

Predetermined Overhead Rate = 187.27

Hence, preliminary, it appears that company A could be the winner of the auction even though labor hour use by company B is less, and units produce more only because its overhead rate is more than that of company A.

Relevance and Uses

Commonly, in the manufacturing industry, the manufacturing overhead cost for machine hours can be ascertained from the predetermined overhead rate. In the case of machine production, this rate can be used for identifying the expected costs, which shall allow the firm to allocate their financial resources properly, which are needed so as to ensure the efficient and proper working of operations and production. Further, it is stated as estimated the reason for the same is overhead are based on estimations and not the actuals.

Recommended Articles

This article has been a guide to the Predetermined Overhead Rate Formula. Here we discuss the calculation of predetermined overhead rate using its formula and downloadable excel template. You can learn more about accounting from the following articles –

• Calculate Absorption Costing
• Formula of Overhead Ratio
• Activity-Based Costing Formula
• Fixed Cost Calculation
• Advantages of Cost Accounting