It is the difference between the actual cost of materials used in production and the budgeted cost of materials based on the budgeted mix of materials. It is a sub-component of Material Usage Variance, which measures the overall difference between the actual quantity and cost of materials used in production and the budgeted or expected quantity and cost of materials. In general, it can be assumed in exam questions that the production manager is responsible for the mix of input materials used. It can be tempting for production managers to change the product mix in order to make savings; these savings may lead to greater bonuses for them at the end of the day. However, if the quality of the product is adversely affected, this is damaging to the reputation of the business and hence its long‑term survival prospects.

Nature of Variance

On the other hand, when the Material Mix Variance is unfavourable, it is debited to the manufacturing overhead account, which increases the cost of goods sold. This article does not involve experiments with human participants or animals conducted by any of the authors. The data underpinning this research is accessible upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.

Working Table

The variance is shown in the cost of goods sold account and is adjusted against the cost of raw materials used in production. Material mix variance is a measure of the deviation in the usage of different materials from standard or expected usage. The overall usage variance reported shows a $580 favourable variance, so it could be viewed that the change in the mix had a favourable impact overall. From this it can be seen that the more Beta used, the more expensive the final product will be.

What is the Direct Material Mix Variance?

Insyllabus Section D – budgeting and control (4) includes direct material mix and yield variances. Always make sure you mention such interdependencies when discussing variances in exam questions. Material mix variance emphasizes the aspect of the proportion of raw materials used in the production process.

Example of the Direct Material Mix Variance

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Total material input in a standard mix at standard prices less actual material input at standard prices. This is a sub-set of the direct material usage variance applicable where materials are combined in standard proportion. • Direct material yield variance.Standard quantity of material specified for actual production at standard prices less the actual total material input in standard proportions at standard prices. Direct material mix variance is the difference between the budgeted and actual mixes of direct material costs used in a production process. This variance isolates the aggregate unit cost of each item, excluding all other variables. The variance is useful for determining whether a lower-cost mix of materials can be used to create a product.

This variance separates the aggregate unit cost of each item excludingall the other variables. Here is an explanation of what you need to do to accurately provide questions testing material mix. Output (_O) is in units of measurement of output, Quantities (_Q) are in units of measurement of input, Prices (_P) are in monetary value per unit input and Costs (_C) are in monetary values. When the Material Mix Variance is favourable, it is credited to the manufacturing overhead account, which reduces the cost of goods sold.

• This variance separates the aggregate unit cost of each item excludingall the other variables.
• Avoid leaving your calculations as simply positive and negative figures as this leads to confusion and may not be awarded marks.
• The overall usage variance reported shows a $580 favourable variance, so it could be viewed that the change in the mix had a favourable impact overall.
• On the other hand, when the Material Mix Variance is unfavourable, it is debited to the manufacturing overhead account, which increases the cost of goods sold.

Kappa Co has used relatively less of the more expensive material Beta, and relatively more of the cheaper material Alpha. Overall, the savings from using less Beta have outweighed the additional cost of the extra Alpha, thus resulting in a favourable total mix variance. In many production processes, it may be possible to combine different levels (use a different mix) of the input materials to make the same product. This, in turn, may result in differing yields, depending on the mix of materials that has been used.