16 A PLANTWIDE OVERHEAD RATE IS A SINGLE ACTUAL OVERHEAD COST EXCEED...

3-16 A plantwide overhead rate is a single

actual overhead cost exceeds the amount of

overhead rate used throughout all production de-

overhead cost applied to Work in Process inven-

partments in a plant. Some companies use multi-

tory during the period. Overapplied overhead oc-

ple overhead rates rather than plantwide rates to

curs when the actual overhead cost is less than

more appropriately allocate overhead costs

the amount of overhead cost applied to Work in

among products. Multiple overhead rates should

Process inventory during the period. Under- or

be used, for example, in situations where one

overapplied overhead is disposed of by either

department is machine intensive and another de-

closing out the amount to Cost of Goods Sold or

partment is labor intensive.

allocating the amount among Cost of Goods Sold

and ending inventories in proportion to the ap-