Inventory Pricing and Interim Financial Reporting--Inventory Valuation:

Companies should generally use the same inventory pricing methods and make provisions for write downs to make market at interim dates on the same basis as used at annual dates when preparing published financial statements. However, the following exceptions are appropriate at interim reporting dates:

1. Some companies use estimated gross profit rates to determine the cost of goods sold during interim periods or use other methods different from those used at annual inventory dates. These companies should disclose the method used at the interim date and any significant adjustments that result from reconciliations with the annual physical inventory.
2. Companies that use the LIFO method may encounter a liquidation of base period inventories at an interim date that is expected to be replaced by the end of the annual period. In such cases the inventory at the interim reporting date should not give effect to the LIFO liquidation, and cost of sales for the interim reporting period should include the expected cost of replacement of the liquidated LIFO base.
   
   Thus, if the liquidation of base period inventories is considered temporary and expected to be replaced prior to year, the company should charge cost of goods sold at current prices. The difference between the carrying value of the inventory and its current replacement cost is a current liability for replacement of temporarily depleted LIFO base inventory. When the liquidated inventory is replaced, inventory is debited for the original LIFO value and the liability is removed from the books.
3. Inventory losses from market declines should not be deferred beyond the interim period in which the decline occurs. Recoveries of such losses on the same inventory in later interim periods of the same fiscal year through market price recoveries should be recognized as gains in the later interim period such gains should not exceed previously recognized losses. Some market declines at interim dates, however, can reasonably be expected to be restored in the fiscal year. Such temporary market declines need not be recognized at the interim date since no loss is expected to be incurred in the fiscal year.

You may also be interested in other relevant articles:

• Purchases of productive material.
• Purchases of supplies, services, and repairs.
• Materials purchasing forms.
• Receiving materials.
• Invoice approval and data processing.
• Correcting invoices.
• Electronic data processing for materials received and issued.
• Cost of acquiring materials.
• Storage and use of materials.
• Materials ledger card--perpetual inventory system.

Materials Costing Methods:

• First-in-First-Out (FIFO) Costing Method
• Average Costing Method
• Last-in-First-Out (LIFO) Costing Method
• Other Materials Costing Methods--Month end average cost, last purchase price or market price at date of issue, and standard cost.

Cost of Materials in Inventory at the end of a Period:

• Inventory valuation at cost or market whichever is lower
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountant (AICPA) cost or market rules
• Adjustments for departures from the costing method used
• Transfer of materials cost to finished production
• Physical inventory
• Adjusting Materials Ledger Cards and Accounts to Conform to Inventory Accounts

Costing Procedures for Scrape, waste, Spoiled Goods and Defective Work:

• Cost accounting procedure for scrap and waste
• Cost accounting procedure for spoiled goods
• Cost accounting procedure for defective work

 

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