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Three Methods

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The three different inventory cost flow assumptions commonly used in commerce today are first-
in, first-out (FIFO), last-in, first-out (LIFO) and average cost. When using first-in, first-out
(FIFO) the cost of the earliest goods on hand prior to each sale is charged to cost of goods sold
(Kimmel, Weygandt, & Kieso, 2009).When prices are rising, the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method
results in lower cost of goods sold and higher net income than the average cost and the last-in,
first-out (LIFO) methods. When using last-in, first-out (LIFO) the cost of the most recent
purchase prior to sale is charged to cost of goods sold and this method results in the lowest
income taxes (because of lower taxable income). Finally, under the average cost method, a new
average cost is computed after each purchase. The inventory cost flow assumption is determined
by company management, and a company may use more than one cost flow method at a time.
The three main factors that usually have an impact on the cost flow assumption adopted by a
company are income statement effects, balance sheet effects, and tax effects. Many companies
use the last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost flow assumption because this method results in the lowest
income taxes during times of inflation but ultimately whatever method a company chooses
should be consistent from one accounting period to the next.
Reference
Kimmel, P.D., Weygandt, J. J., & Kieso, D. E. (2009). Financial accounting: Tools
for business decision making (5th ed. ). Hoboken, NJ: John VWley & Sons.

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The three different inventory cost flow assumptions commonly used in commerce today are firstin, first-out (FIFO), last-in, first-out (LIFO) and average cost. When using first-in, first-out (FIFO) the cost of the earliest goods on hand prior to each sale is charged to cost of goods sold (Kimmel, Wey ...
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