ch01 Inventories
ch01 Inventories
Illustration:
Suppose on January,1,2006; NILE-merchandising company had 120 units of
merchandises that cost Br. 8 per Unit. The following transactions were completed
during 2006.
February 5: Purchased on credit 150 units of at Br. 10 per unit
1.5 Inventory Costing Methods under Perpetual & Periodic Inventory System
Inventory Costing Methods under Periodic Inventory System
A periodic inventory system determines cost of merchandise sold and inventory at the
end of the period. How we assign these costs to inventory and cost of merchandise sold
affects the reported amounts for both systems.
Let us see these costing methods under periodic inventory system based on the following
illustration
Illustration:
Smart Company began the year and purchased merchandise as follows:
Jan-1 Beginning inventory 80 units@ Br. 60 = Br. 4,800
Feb-2 Purchase 400 units@ 56 = 22,400
Sep-4 Purchase 160 units@ 50 = 8,000
Nov-20 Purchase 320 units@ 46 = 14,720
Dec-4 Purchase 240 units@ 40 = 9,600
Total 1,200 units Br.59, 520
a. Specific Identification Method: When each item in inventory can be directly identified with
a specific purchase and its invoice, we can use specific identification (also called specific
invoice pricing) to assign costs. This method is appropriate when the variety of merchandise
carried in stock is small and the volume of sales is relatively small. We can specifically
identify the items sold and the items on hand.
Example: From the above illustration, the ending inventory consists of 300 units, 100 from each
of the last purchases. So, the items on hand are specifically known from which purchases they
are: Cost of ending inventories under specific identification method:
b. First-in, First-out (FIFO): This method of assigning cost to inventory and the goods sold
assumes inventory items are sold in the order acquired. This means the cost flow is in the
order in which the expenditures were made. So, to determine the cost of ending inventory, we
have to start from the most recent purchase and continue to the next recent. Because the first
purchased items (old purchases) are the first to be sold they are used (included) in the
computation of cost of goods sold. Example, easily spoiled goods such as fruits, vegetables
etc., must be sold near the time of their acquisition. So, the inventory on hand will be from
the recent purchases. As an example, consider the previous illustration. The cost of ending
inventory under FIFO method:
Br. 40 x 240 = Br. 9,600
Br. 46 x 60 = 2,760
300 units Br. 12,360
Cost of Ending inventory = Br. 12,360
Cost of merchandise sold = Br. 59,520 – Br. 12,360
= Br. 47,160
c. Last-In First-Out (LIFO): This method of assigning cost assumes that the most recent
purchases are sold first. Their costs are charged to cost of goods sold, and the costs of the
earliest purchases are assigned to inventory.
Under IFRS, LIFO is not permitted for financial reporting purposes because the IASB
states it does not provide a reliable representation of actual inventory flow.
d. Weighted Average Method: This method of assigning cost requires computing the average
cost per unit of merchandise available for sale. That means the cost flow is an average of the
Illustration: The beginning inventory, purchases and sales of Pharma Company for the month
of December are as follows:
Dec Units Cost (in Birr)
1 Inventory 15 10
6 Sale 5 -
10 Purchase 10 12
20 Sale 8 -
25 Purchase 8 12.5
27 Sale 10 -
30 Purchase 15 14
* 11 = (100+120) / (10+10)
@11.6 = (132+100) / (12+8)
#13.04 = (116+210) / (10+15)
So, the cost of goods sold and ending inventory under perpetual inventory system are Br. 254.00
and Br. 326.00, respectively. The results under periodic-average inventory system are:
Weighted average unit cost = Br. 580/48 = Br. 12.08
Ending inventory cost = Br. 12.08 x 25 = Br. 302
Cost of merchandise sold = Br. 580 – Br. 302 = Br. 278 so, the result is different under
periodic and perpetual inventory systems.
Cost is the acquisition price of inventory computed using one of the historical cost-based
methods—specific identification, average-cost, or FIFO.
Net realizable value (NRV) is the net amount that a company expects to realize from the
sale of inventory. Specifically, net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the
normal course of business less estimated costs to complete and estimated costs to make a
sale.
To illustrate, assume that Mander Corp. has unfinished inventory with a cost of €950, a sales
value of €1,000, estimated cost of completion of €50, and estimated selling costs of €200.
Mander’s net realizable value is computed as follows.
Mander reports inventory on its statement of financial position at €750. In its income statement,
Mander reports a Loss on Inventory Write-Down of €200 (€950 - €750). A departure from cost is
justified because inventories should not be reported at amounts higher than their expected
realization from sale or use. In addition, a company like Mander should charge the loss of utility
against revenues in the period in which the loss occurs, not in the period of sale.
As indicated, the final inventory value of \384,000 equals the sum of the LCNRV for each of the
inventory items. That is, Jinn-Feng applies the LCNRV rule to each individual type of food.
Companies take a physical inventory to verify the accuracy of the perpetual inventory records or,
if no records exist, to arrive at an inventory amount. Sometimes, however, taking a physical
inventory is impractical. In such cases, companies use substitute measures to approximate
inventory on hand.
One substitute method of verifying or determining the inventory amount is the gross profit
method (also called the gross margin method). Auditors widely use this method in situations
where they need only an estimate of the company’s inventory (e.g., interim reports). Companies
also use this method when fire or other catastrophe destroys either inventory or inventory
records.
1. The gross profit rate is estimated and then estimated gross profit is calculated.
Estimated gross profit = Gross profit rate X Sales
2. Cost of merchandise sold is estimated
Estimated CGS = Net Sales - Estimated gross profit
3. Calculate the estimated cost of ending inventory
Estimated cost of ending inventory = CGAFS – Estimated CGS.
To illustrate, assume that Cetus Corp. has a beginning inventory of €60,000 and purchases of
€200,000, both at cost. Sales at selling price amount to €280,000. The gross profit on selling
price is 30 percent. Cetus applies the gross profit method as follows.
An alternative method of estimating inventory using the gross profit percentage is considered by
some to be less complicated than the traditional method. This alternative method uses the
standard income statement format as follows. (Assume the same data as in the Cetus example
above.)
Compute the unknowns as follows: first the gross profit amount, then cost of goods sold, and
finally the ending inventory, as shown below.
(1) €280,000 * 30% = €84,000 (gross profit on sales).
In Illustration above, the gross profit was a given. But how did Cetus derive that figure? To see
how to compute a gross profit percentage, assume that an article costs €15 and sells for €20, a
gross profit of €5. As shown in the computations in Illustration below, this markup is 1⁄4 or 25
percent of retail, and 1⁄3 or 331⁄3 percent of cost.
The gross profit method is normally unacceptable for financial reporting purposes because
it provides only an estimate.
IFRS requires a physical inventory as additional verification of the inventory indicated in the
records. Note that the gross profit method will follow closely the inventory method used (FIFO
or average-cost) because it relies on historical records.
An alternative is to compile the inventories at retail prices. For most retailers, an observable
pattern between cost and price exists. The retailer can then use a formula to convert retail prices
to cost. This method is called the retail inventory method. It requires that the retailer keep a
record of (1) the total cost and retail value of goods purchased, (2) the total cost and retail
value of the goods available for sale, and (3) the sales for the period. Use of the retail
inventory method is very common.
The steps to be followed are:
1. Calculate the cost to retail ratio
Cost to retail ratio = Cost of merchandise available for sale
Retail Price of GAFS
2. Calculate the ending inventory at retail price
Ending inventory at retail price = retail price of GAFS – Net Sales
3. Calculate the estimated cost of ending inventory
Estimated cost of ending inventory = Cost to retail ration X Ending inventory at retail
Here is how it works at a company like Debenham. Beginning with the retail value of the goods
available for sale, Debenham deducts the sales for the period. This calculation determines an
estimated inventory (goods on hand) at retail. It next computes the cost-to-retail ratio for all
goods. The formula for this computation is to divide the total goods available for sale at cost by
The retail inventory method is particularly useful for any type of interim report because such
reports usually need a fairly quick and reliable measure of the inventory. Also, insurance
adjusters often use this method to estimate losses from fire, flood, or other type of casualty. This
method also acts as a control device because a company will have to explain any discrepancies
between the results of the retail method and a physical count at the end of the year. Finally, the
retail method expedites the physical inventory count at the end of the year. The crew taking the
physical inventory need record only the retail price of each item. The crew does not need to look
up each item’s invoice cost, thereby saving time and expense.
A company may change its inventory costing methods for a valid reason. In such cases, the effect
of the change and the reason for the change should be disclosed in the financial statements for
the period in which the change occurred.