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The Weighted-Average Method

How it works

  • Units are separated into two categories:
  • Units completed and transferred-out
  • Unit in ending work in process
  • Does not separate units based on when they were started.

Production Cost Report




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Equivalent Units using the Weighted-Average Method

In the weighted-average method, units are grouped into two categories : completed and not completed. When units were started is not important in this method, instead we are only interested in whether or not units have been completed or not.

Direct Materials

To find equivalent units for materials, you must first determine at what point in the process are materials added (this is always given in the question):
  • Added at the beginning of the process: This means that all units are 100% complete for direct materials as soon as they are started.
  • Added at the end of the process: This means that all units are 0% complete for direct materials until they are finished, when they are finished they become 100% complete for materials.
  • Added throughput the process: This means that materials are added progressively throughout the process, equivalent units for materials are based on the percentage of completion.
  • Added at x%: This means that all units are 0% complete for direct materials until they reach x%, when they reach x% they become 100% complete for materials.

Conversion Costs

  • Indicates how many units have been completed with respect to the direct labor and manufacturing overhead.
  • Equivalent units for conversion costs are equal to the physical units multiplied by the percentage of completion.

Transferred-in Costs

  • These are costs incurred prior to the units arriving in the current process.
  • Units are always treated as being 100% complete as to transferred-in costs.
  • In the weighted-average method, equivalent units for transferred-in costs always equal the physical units.


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Example: Equivalent Units

ABC Inc. has 3 stages in its production process: Process A, Process B and Process C. In Process A, 6,000 units were in work in process on July 31st and are 40% complete. During August, an additional 9,000 units were started. On August 31st, 3,000 units are still in process and 15% complete. Direct materials are added at the beginning of the process.

Calculate the equivalent units for materials and conversion costs.
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Example: Equivalent Units

ABC Inc. has 3 stages in its production process: Process A, Process B and Process C. In Process A, 6,000 units were in work in process on July 31st that are 40% complete. During August, an additional 9,000 units were started. On August 31st, 3,000 units are still in process and 15% complete. Direct materials are added at the end of the process.

Calculate the equivalent units for materials and conversion costs.
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Example: Equivalent Units

ABC Inc. has 3 stages in its production process: Process A, Process B and Process C. In Process A, 6,000 units were in work in process on July 31st that are 40% complete. During August, an additional 9,000 units were started. On August 31st, 3,000 units are still in process and 15% complete. Direct materials are added uniformly throughout the process.

Calculate the equivalent units for materials and conversion costs.

Practice: Equivalent Units

Beginning inventory totalled 5,000 units that were 50% complete. 23,000 additional units were transferred-in during the month from the previous process. 12,000 units were completed and transferred out and the remaining units were 40% complete.
What are the equivalent units for conversion costs?