Question

When making investment decisions, why is it important to know what type of inventory costing system the company uses? Please answer in 2-3 paragraphs and give three examples of ratios and accounts that may be affected by a company’s inventory costing method choice.

Answer 1

When making Investment decisions, company has various inventory costing methods from which to choose. The choice is important because it influences your cost of goods sold, net income and income tax payable. Whichever method you choose, accounting rules call for you to stick with it; the Internal Revenue Service might not allow you to flip-flop your accounting method just to take advantage of the latest price trend.

Costing Methods

Last-in, first-out, or LIFO, uses the most recent costs first. When prices are rising, you prefer LIFO because it gives you the highest cost of goods sold and the lowest taxable income. First-in, first-out, or FIFO, applies the earliest costs first. In rising markets, FIFO yields the lowest cost of goods sold and the highest taxable income. If you sell one-of-a-kind items like custom jewelry, you might prefer the specific identification method. You record the cost of each item, so the cost of goods sold doesn’t require as much fancy math.

Periodic Inventory Under LIFO

When you use the periodic, or book, inventory system, you value your inventory at specific intervals and lump together the results. For example, suppose you purchase 10 items at $100 each on the first of the month. On the 14th, you sell six items and on the 16th buy another 10 for $120 each. You sell eight items on the 19th and buy another 10 on the 23rd for $130 each. On the last day of the month, you sell nine items. Under periodic inventory LIFO, your cost of goods sold is the sum of 10 items times $130, 10 items times $120 and three items times $100. This adds up to $2,800, and you value your remaining inventory at $700.

Perpetual Inventory Under LIFO

In the perpetual inventory system, you figure the cost at the time of each sale instead of at specific intervals. Your cost of goods sold on the 14th is six items times $100, or $600. The sale on the 19th costs $120 times eight units, or $960. The last sale costs $130 times nine items, or $1,170. Notice that each sale uses the latest item cost, which simplifies the math. The total cost is $2,730, or $70 less than the cost under the periodic inventory method. Your remaining inventory tallies in at $770. Your taxable income is $70 less using the periodic inventory system. If you are in the 25 percent bracket, this translates into a tax savings of $17.50.

Considerations

Since prices always seem to increase over time, LIFO is a good bet for consistently maximizing your cost of goods sold. The example deals with a retail situation but also applies to product manufacturers. However, if you manufacture products using raw materials that fluctuate in price, such as petroleum, you may not always benefit from the LIFO method. The IRS lets you initially choose your inventory accounting method but wants you to use it consistently year to year. If you choose LIFO, you must file Form 970 in the first year you use this method. If you want to change methods, you might need to ask for IRS approval by filing Form 3115.

Ratios that are affected by company's inventory costing method:

1.Inventory Turnover Ratio

2.Current Ratio

3.Gross Profit Ratio etc.