Variable Overhead Variance

This is the dissimilarity between the variable overheads absorbed and the actual variable overheads warned. Therefore it can be described as the under-absorbed or over-absorbed variable overheads.

The variable overhead expenditure variance is made up of two components as given below:

a) The variable overhead efficiency variance,

b) The variable overhead expenditure variance

The variable overhead expenditure variable is the dissimilarity between the allowed variable overheads and the actual variable overheads incurred based on the actual hours worked.  This is calculated as specified:

Variable Overhead Expenditure variance = Actual Variable Overheads - (Actual Labour Hours x V.O. A. R).

The variable overhead efficiency variance is the difference between the absorbed variable overheads and the allowed variable overheads and the absorbed variable overheads.  It is calculated as given:

Variable Overhead Efficiency Variance = (actual labour hours x V.O.A.R) - (standard hour of production x V.O.A.R)

Recap:

The above discussion of variable overhead variances can be summarized as given below: