What is a predetermined overhead rate?

A predetermined overhead rate, also known as a plant-wide overhead rate, is a calculation used to determine how much of the total manufacturing overhead cost will be attributed to each unit of product manufactured. The rate is determined by dividing the fixed overhead cost by the estimated number of direct labor hours.

How is the predetermined overhead rate used?

The predetermined overhead rate is used to price new products and to calculate variances in overhead costs. Variances can be calculated for actual versus budgeted or forecasted results.

What are some concerns surrounding the use of a predetermined overhead rate?

There are concerns that the rate may not be accurate, as it is based on estimates rather than actual data. In addition, changes in prices and industry trends can make historical data an unreliable predictor of future overhead costs. Finally, using a predetermined overhead rate can result in inaccurate decision-making if the rate is significantly different from the actual overhead cost.

Who uses the predetermined overhead rate?

Small companies typically use activity-based costing, while large organizations will have departments that compute their own rates.

What are some common methods of factory overhead absorption?

Direct labor standard rate, machine hours standard rate, and direct labor hours standard rate are some methods of factory overhead absorption.

What Predetermined Overhead Rate Is

Predetermined Overhead Rate: Definition

A predetermined overhead rate is an allocation rate given for indirect manufacturing costs that are involved in the production of a product (or several products).

It is used to estimate future manufacturing costs. The estimate is made at the beginning of an accounting period, before the commencement of any projects or specific jobs for which the rate is needed.

Formula for Predetermined Overhead Rate

The predetermined overhead rate is calculated using the following formula:

Predetermined Overhead Rate: Explanation

The formula for the predetermined overhead rate is purely based on estimates. Hence, the overhead incurred in the actual production process will differ from this estimate.

This difference is calculated at the end of the accounting period. It is known as either over-absorption or under-absorption of overheads.

The allocation base (also known as the activity base or activity driver) can differ depending on the nature of the costs involved.

The common allocation bases are direct labor hours, direct labor cost, machine hours, and direct materials.

To further understand the formula, consider the following steps:

STEP 1: Figure out different overhead costs involved and the total amount

STEP 2: Determine which costs are the same in nature and have a relationship with the different allocation bases

STEP 3: Determine the allocation base for each department (if there are different departments)

STEP 4: Divide the total overhead cost by the allocation base

STEP 5: The rate calculated in step 4 can either be used for other departments or new rates for other departments can be computed using the same steps

Departmental overhead rates are needed because different processes are involved in production that take place in different departments.

Example

This example helps to illustrate the predetermined overhead rate calculation.

Company B wants a predetermined rate for a new product that it will be launching soon. Its production department comes up with the details of how much the overheads will be and what other costs will be incurred.

The pricing details are as follows:

Item	Base	Amount
Direct labor	Based on labor hours	200,000
Direct materials	Based on material units	250,000
Variable overhead	Based on labor hours	150,000
Fixed overhead	Based on labor hours	350,000
Direct labor hours	2000

Since we need to calculate the predetermined rate, direct costs are ignored.

The total manufacturing overhead cost will be the variable overhead plus fixed overhead. That is to say: 150,000+350,000=500,000.

Total Manufacturing Overhead = 500,000

Labor hours amount to 2,000. Therefore, the predetermined rate is:

Total manufacturing overhead/Direct labor hours = 500,000/2,000= 250 per direct labor hour

Therefore, this rate of 250 is used in the pricing of the new product.

If we change the allocation base to machine hours, the predetermined rate would be based on machine hours. For example:

Item	Base	Amount
Direct labor	Based on labor hours	200,000
Direct material	Based on material units	250,000
Variable overhead	Based on labor hours	150,000
Fixed overhead	Based on labor hours	350,000
Direct labor hours	1000
Direct machine hours	4500

Manufacturing overhead/Direct machine hours = 500,000/4,500 = 111.11 per direct labor hour

The predetermined overhead rate calculation shown in the example above is known as the single predetermined overhead rate or plant-wide overhead rate.

Different businesses have different ways of costing; some use the single rate, others use multiple rates, and the rest use activity-based costing.

Small companies tend to use activity-based costing, whereas in larger companies, each department in which different processes of production take place typically computes its own predetermined overhead rate.

While it may become more complex to have different rates for each department, it is still considered more accurate and helpful because the level of efficiency and precision increases.

Concerns Surrounding Predetermined Overhead Rates

There are still many points to consider before using a predetermined rate.

The rates aren’t realistic because they are based on accounting estimates.

The production hasn’t taken place and is completely based on forecasts or previous accounting records, and the actual overheads incurred could turn out to be way different than the estimate.

Also, if the rates determined are nowhere close to being accurate, the decisions based on those rates will be inaccurate, too.

This can result in abnormal losses as well and unexpected expenses being incurred.

Unexpected expenses can be a result of a big difference between actual and estimated overheads.

Profits will be affected and assets may need to be worked beyond their capacity too.

Furthermore, historical data is not always the best for predicting, estimating, and forecasting.

Prices increase all the time and industry trends and consumer expectations are constantly changing.

To conclude, the predetermined rate is helpful for making decisions, but other factors should be taken into consideration, too.

Predetermined Overhead Rate FAQs