Medium2 marksMultiple Choice
Decision-making TechniquesRelevant CostingDecision MakingSyllabus Area C

ACCA · Question 08 · Decision-making Techniques

Section A

GlobalBuild is evaluating whether to continue a cross-border construction project. They have already spent $500,000 on initial architectural designs. They have also signed a legally binding contract to lease specialized cranes for $100,000, which must be paid regardless of whether the project continues.

In the context of relevant costing for the decision to continue the project, which TWO of the following statements are correct?

Answer options:

A.

The $500,000 spent on designs is a sunk cost and is not relevant.

B.

The $500,000 spent on designs is an opportunity cost and is relevant.

C.

The $100,000 crane lease is a committed cost and is not relevant.

D.

The $100,000 crane lease is an avoidable fixed cost and is relevant.

How to approach this question

Apply the rules of relevant costing: costs must be future, incremental, and cash flows. Past costs (sunk) and unavoidable future costs (committed) are irrelevant.

Full Answer

Relevant costs must be future, incremental cash flows. The $500,000 is a sunk cost (already incurred). The $100,000 is a committed cost (unavoidable future cash flow). Because neither cost changes based on the decision to continue or abandon the project, both are irrelevant.

Common mistakes

Thinking that large amounts of money already spent must be factored in to 'recover' them (the sunk cost fallacy).

Practice the full ACCA PM — Performance Management Practice Exam 5

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