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Accounting 2401
Chapter 7
60
Accounting
Undergraduate 1
11/10/2008

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Term
Average Cost method
Definition
an inventory costing method in which inventory is priced at the average cost of the goods avalable for sale during the period.
Term
consignment
Definition
merchandise that its owner (the consignor) places on the premises of another company (the consignee) with the understanding that payment is expected only when the merchandise is sold and that unsold items may be returned to the consignor.
Term
cost flow
Definition
the association of costs with their assumed flow in the operations of a company
Term
first-in, first-out (FIFO) method
Definition
an inventory costing method based on the assumption that the costs of the first items acquired should be assigned to the first items sold.
Term
goods flow
Definition
the actual physical movement of goods in the operations of a company
Term
gross profit method
Definition
a method of inventory estimation based on the assumption that the ration of gross margin for a business remains relatively stable from year to year
Term
inventory cost
Definition
the invoice price of an asset les purchases discounts, plus freight in, plus applicable taxes and tariffs
Term
Just in time operating envirnment
Definition
a method of reducing levels of inventory by working closely with suppliers to coordinate and schedule deliveries so that goods arrive just at the time they are needed.
Term
last-in, first-out method (LIFO)
Definition
an inventory costing method based on the assumption that the costs of the last items purchased should be assigned to the first items sold.
Term
LIFO liquidation
Definition
the reduction of inventory below previous levels because sales of older, lower-priced units have exceeded the purchases of units for the current period.
Term
Lower-of-cost-or-market (LCM) rule
Definition
a method of valuing inventory at an amount less that cost when the replacement cost falls below historical cost
Term
market
Definition
current placement cost of inventory
Term
retail method
Definition
a method of inventory estimation, used in retail merchandising businesses, in which inventory at retail value is reduced by the ration of cost to retail price
Term
specific identification method
Definition
an inventory costing method in which the cost of each item in ending inventory is identified as coming from a specific purchase
Term
supply-chain management
Definition
a system of managing inventory and purchasing through business to business transactions conducted over the internet.
Term
days inventory on hand ratio
Definition
the average number of days required to sell the inventory on hand:
Number of Days in a Year / Inventory Turnover
Term
Inventory Turnover
Definition

A ratio indicating the number of times a company's average inventory is sold during an accounting period:

cost of goods sold / Average Inventory

Term
Inventory Turnover
Definition
A ratio indicating the number of times a company's average inventory is sold during an accounting period:
cost of goods sol / Average Inventory
Term
If closing entries were not made at the end of the accounting period, two serious problems would arise. First, the income statement accounts and the Withdrawels account would not reflect operations of the current period, and second, the owners Capital account would not be updated to the current balance and the balance sheet,a s a result, would be out of balance.
Definition
Need for closing entries
Term
Even though the work sheet has columns for the income and balance sheet, it is not a substitute for the financial statements. First, the work sheet does not show the statement of owners equity and the balance sheet is not updated for the change in owners capital. Second, financial statements are arranged in a way to provide useful information to users. The worksheet is an internal tool for the accountant.
Definition
Work sheet and financial statements contrasted.
Term
Inventory is considered a current asset because it normally is sold within one year or the operating cycle (whichever is longer).
Definition
The inventory of a merchandising company consists of only completed goods that it owns and holds for sale in the regular course of business. The inventory of a manufacturer, on the other hand, consists of raw materials, work in process, and finished goods. The costs of work in process and finished goods inventories include the costs of raw material, labor, and overhead (indirect manufacturing costs) incurred in producing the finished product.
Term
The objective of accounting for inventory is the proper determination of income through the matching of costs and revenues, not the determination of the most realistic inventory value. Thus, in accounting for inventory, the following two questions must be answered:
Definition

a.     How much of the asset has been used up (expired) during the current period and should be transferred to expense?

b.     How much of the asset is unused (unexpired) and should remain on the balance sheet as an asset?

Term
A company has a number of choices with regard to inventory systems and methods
Definition
Because these systems and methods usually produce different amounts of reported net income, the choices that a company makes affect external evaluations of the company, as well as such internal evaluations as performance reviews. In addition, because income is affected, the valuation of inventory can have a considerable effect on the amount of income taxes paid, which will in turn affect cash flows.
Term
Once a company has chosen the systems and methods it will use for its inventory, the consistency convention allows a change to be made only when it can be justified by management.
Definition
When a justifiable change is made, the full disclosure convention requires the notes to the financial statements to contain a description of the change, as well as its effects.
Term
It is important for a merchandiser to maintain a sufficient level of inventory to satisfy customer demand. However, the higher the level maintained, the more costly it is for the business to handle and store its goods. Management can evaluate the level of inventory by calculating and analyzing its inventory turnover and days’ inventory on hand.
Definition

a.     Inventory turnover indicates the number of times a company’s average inventory is sold during an accounting period. It equals cost of goods sold divided by average inventory.

b.     Days’ inventory on hand indicates the average number of days required to sell the inventory on hand. It equals 365 divided by the inventory turnover.

Term
supply-chain management
Definition
To reduce their levels of inventory, many companies use supply-chain management in conjunction with a just-in-time operating environment With supply-chain management, a company manages its inventory and purchasing through business-to-business transactions conducted over the Internet.
Term
just-in-time operating environment
Definition
companies work closely with suppliers to coordinate and schedule shipments so that the goods arrive just in time to be used or sold. As a result, the costs of carrying inventory are greatly reduced.
Term
Below are some good rules of thumb to remember for inventory errors.
Definition

a.     If ending inventory for 20xx is overstated, then income before income taxes for 20xx will also be overstated.

b.     If ending inventory for 20xx is understated, then income before income taxes for 20xx will also be understated.

c.     If beginning inventory for 20xx is overstated, then income before income taxes for 20xx will be understated.

d.     If beginning inventory for 20xx is understated, then income before income taxes for 20xx will be overstated.

Term
It is important to match the cost of goods sold with sales so that income before income taxes is reasonably accurate.
Definition
Because both beginning and ending inventory are figured into the calculation of cost of goods sold, errors in inventory valuation will produce errors in income determination. Recall that beginning inventory plus net cost of purchases equals the cost of goods available for sale. The cost of goods sold is determined indirectly by deducting ending inventory from the cost of goods available for sale. Thus, if the value of ending inventory is understated or overstated, a corresponding error—dollar for dollar—will be made in both gross margin and income before income taxes.
Term
Because the ending inventory of one period becomes the beginning inventory of the next period, a misstatement in inventory will affect both periods.
Definition
Although over a two-year period, the errors in income before income taxes will counterbalance each other, the misstatements are a violation of the matching rule. Moreover, management, investors, and creditors make many annual decisions on an annual basis, and in doing so, they rely on the accuracy of the net income figure.
Term
Inventory cost
Definition
includes the invoice price of the inventory less purchases discounts, plus freight in (including insurance in transit), plus applicable taxes and tariffs.
Term
goods flow
Definition
When identical items of merchandise are purchased at different prices during the year, it is usually impractical to monitor the actual goods flow and record the corresponding costs. Instead, the accountant makes an assumption about the cost flow using one of the following costing methods: specific identification, average-cost, first-in, first-out (FIFO), or last-in, first-out (LIFO). These four costing methods are discussed below.
Term
Goods in transit should be included in inventory only if the company has title to the goods.
Definition
When goods are sent FOB (free on board) shipping point, title passes to the buyer when the goods reach the common carrier. When goods are sent FOB destination, title passes when the goods reach the buyer.
Term
consignment
Definition

Goods that have been sold but are awaiting delivery to the buyer should not be included in the seller’s inventory count. When goods are held on consignment, the consignee (who earns a commission on making the sale) has possession of the goods, but the consignor retains title until the consignee sells the goods. The consignor therefore includes them in its physical inventory.

Term
market value
Definition
The market value (current replacement cost) of inventory can fall below its historical cost as a result of physical deterioration, obsolescence, or a decline in price level. When that happens, the inventory valuation should be based on the lower-of-cost-or-market (LCM) rule. In addition, a loss should be reported in the income statement. The lower-of-cost-or-market rule is an application of the conservatism convention because the loss is recognized when it is anticipated, rather than when it actually occurs (i.e., when the goods are ultimately sold). In addition, full disclosure requires that the use of LCM be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
Term
specific identification method
Definition
If the units of ending inventory can be identified as having come from specific purchases, the specific identification method can be used. In this case, the flow of costs reflects the actual flow of goods. However, the specific identification method is not practical in most cases.
Term
average-cost method
Definition
Under the average-cost method, inventory is priced at the average cost of the goods available for sale during the period. Average cost is computed by dividing the total cost of goods available for sale by the total units available for sale. The average cost per unit is then multiplied by the number of units in ending inventory to arrive at the cost of ending inventory.
Term
first-in, first-out (FIFO) method
Definition
Under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, the costs of the first items purchased are assigned to the first items sold. Thus, ending inventory cost is determined from the prices of the most recent purchases. During periods of rising prices, FIFO yields a higher income before income taxes than any of the other three costing methods.
Term
last-in, first-out (LIFO) method,
Definition
Under the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, the costs of the last items purchased are assigned to the first items sold. Thus, the ending inventory cost is determined from the prices of the earliest purchases. During periods of rising prices, LIFO yields a lower income before income taxes than any of the other three methods. However, it matches current merchandise costs with current sales prices.
Term
During periods of rising prices, FIFO produces a higher net income figure than LIFO.
Definition
During periods of falling prices, the reverse is true. The average-cost method produces a net income figure somewhere between the figures produced by FIFO and LIFO. Because the specific identification method depends on the particular items sold, no generalization can be made about the effect of changing prices. LIFO is best suited for the income statement because it matches revenues and cost of goods sold. FIFO, however, provides a more up-to-date ending inventory figure for the balance sheet.
Term
Several rules govern the valuation of inventory for federal income tax purposes
Definition
For example, even though a business has a wide choice of methods, once it has chosen a method, it must apply that method consistently (though it can make a change with approval from the IRS). In addition, several regulations apply to LIFO, such as the requirement that if LIFO is used for tax purposes, it must also be used in the accounting records. Moreover, lower-of-cost-or-market is allowed [for tax purposes] for every method except LIFO.
Term
LIFO liquidation
Definition
A LIFO liquidation occurs when sales have reduced inventories below the levels established in earlier years. When prices have been rising steadily, a LIFO liquidation produces unusually high profits. LIFO liquidation can normally be prevented by making enough inventory purchases before year-end to restore the desired inventory level.
Term
The inventory method that a company uses will affect not only its reported profitability, but also its reported liquidity and cash flows (primarily through the amount of income taxes paid).
Definition
LIFO, for example, will usually produce a lower figure for income before income taxes than will FIFO. However, the reduced tax liability under LIFO will have a positive effect on cash flows.
Term
The pricing of inventories differs under the periodic and perpetual inventory systems.
Definition
When the periodic system is used, only the ending inventory is counted and priced, and the cost of goods sold is calculated by subtracting ending inventory from the cost of goods available for sale. When the perpetual system is used, a company has more control over its inventory because a continuous record is kept of the balance of each inventory item; as goods are sold, costs are transferred from the Inventory account to the Cost of Goods Sold account.
Term
The specific identification and FIFO methods produce the same figures for inventory and cost of goods sold under the periodic and perpetual inventory systems.
Definition
The results differ for the average-cost method because under the perpetual system, an average is calculated after each purchase rather than at the end of the accounting period. The results for the LIFO method also differ because under the perpetual system, the cost components of inventory change constantly as goods are bought and sold.
Term
retail method
Definition
of inventory estimation can be used when the difference between the cost and sale prices of goods is a constant percentage over a period of time. It can be used regardless of whether a business makes a physical count of goods. To apply the retail method, goods available for sale are figured both at cost and at retail. Next, a cost-to-retail ratio is computed. Sales for the period are then subtracted from goods available for sale at retail to produce ending inventory at retail. Finally, ending inventory at retail is multiplied by the cost-to-retail ratio to produce an estimate of the cost of ending inventory.
Term
The gross profit method
Definition
of inventory estimation (also called the gross margin method) assumes that a business’s gross margin ratio remains relatively stable from year to year. This method is used when a business does not keep records of the retail prices of beginning inventory and purchases and when inventory records are lost or destroyed. To apply the gross profit method, the cost of goods available for sale is determined by adding purchases to beginning inventory. The cost of goods sold is then estimated by deducting the estimated gross margin from sales. Finally, the estimated cost of goods sold is subtracted from the cost of goods available for sale to arrive at the estimated cost of ending inventory.
Term
All of the following are inventory costing methods except   
Definition
periodic.   
Term
Average inventory equals $100,000, and cost of goods sold equals $231,000. Days' inventory on hand equals   
Definition
158.0  days.   
Term
An overstatement of beginning inventory results in   
Definition
an understatement of gross margin
Term
An understatement of year 1's ending inventory will   
Definition
not affect year 2's ending owner's equity.   
Term
The most important accounting problem in dealing with merchandise inventory is the application of which of the following conventions or rules?   
Definition
Matching
Term
Which of the following is an inventory valuation method?   
Definition
Lower-of-cost-or-market   
Term
Days' inventory on hand equals 365 divided by   
Definition
inventory turnover.   
Term
Applying the lower-of-cost-or-market rule follows which of the following accounting conventions?   
Definition
Conservatism
Term
Inventory costing methods place primary reliance on assumptions about the flow of   
Definition
costs.   
Term
Which of the following costs usually would not be included in the inventory cost?   
Definition
Storage costs   
Term
Which of the following terms best describes the assumption made in applying the four inventory methods?   
Definition
Cost flow   
Term
Which of the following costs normally would be included in the inventory cost?   
Definition
Applicable taxes   
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