Inventory Valuation Techniques
Inventory Valuation Techniques
Inventories: Additional
Valuation Issues
CHAPTER REVIEW
    2. (L.O. 1) Inventories are recorded at their cost. However, if inventory declines in value
below its original cost, a major departure from the historical cost principle occurs. Whatever the
reason for a decline—a company should write down the inventory to net realizable value to report
this loss.
    3. The term net realizable value (NRV) refers to the net amount that a company expects to
realize from the sale of inventory. Specifically, NRV is the estimated selling price in the ordinary
course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.
    4. Companies may apply the LCNRV rule either directly to each item, to each category, or to
the total of the inventory. If a company follows a major category or total inventory approach in
applying the LCNRV rule, increases in selling prices tend to offset decreases in selling prices.
Companies usually price inventory on an item-by-item basis. In fact, tax rules require that
companies use an individual-item approach barring practical difficulties. In addition, the individual-
    Note: All asterisked (*) items relate to material contained in the Appendix to the chapter.
9-2      Student Study Guide for Intermediate Accounting, 17th Edition
item approach gives the most conservative valuation for balance sheet purposes. Whichever
method a company selects, it should apply the method consistently from one period to another.
    5. One of two methods may be used to record the income effect of valuing inventory at NRV.
One method, referred to as the cost-of-goods-sold method, debits cost of goods sold for the
write-down of the inventory to net realizable value. As a result, the company does not report a
loss in the income statement because the cost of goods sold already includes the amount of the
loss. The second method, referred to as the loss method, debits a loss account for the write-
down of the inventory to NRV.
Use of an Allowance
    6. Instead of crediting the Inventory account for market adjustments, companies generally
use an allowance account, often referred to as Allowance to Reduce Inventory to NRV. Use of the
allowance account results in reporting both the cost and the NRV of the inventory. With respect to
accounting for the allowance in the subsequent period, if the company still has on hand the
merchandise in question, it should retain the allowance account. If it does not keep the account,
the company will overstate beginning inventory and cost of goods sold. However, if the company
has sold the goods, then it should close the account. It then establishes a “new allowance
account” for any decline in inventory value that takes place in the current year.
    7. In general, accountants leave the allowance account on the books. They merely adjust the
balance at the next year-end to agree with the discrepancy between cost and lower-of-cost-or-net
realizable value at that balance sheet date. Thus, if prices are falling, the company records an
additional write-down. If prices are rising, the company records an increase in income.
Lower-of-Cost-or-Market (LCM)
    8. (L.O. 2) Companies that use the LIFO or retail inventory methods are allowed to use a
lower-of-cost-or-market (LCM) approach. This approach begins with replacement cost, then
applies two additional limitations to value ending inventory—net realizable value and net
realizable value less a normal profit margin. Net realizable value (NRV) is the estimated selling
price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion and
disposal (often referred to as net selling price). A normal profit margin is subtracted from that
amount to arrive at net realizable value less a normal profit margin. In general: A company values
inventory at the lower-of-cost-or-market, with market limited to an amount that is not more than
net realizable value or less than net realizable value less a normal profit margin.
   9. For example, consider the following illustration.
         Inventory at sales value                                     $800
         Less: Cost to complete and sell                               200
         Net realizable value (NRV)                                    600
         Less: Normal markup                                           100
         NRV less normal markup                                       $500
To arrive at the final inventory valuation, market value must be determined and then compared
to cost. Market value is determined by comparing replacement cost of the inventory with the
upper and lower limits. If replacement cost of the inventory in the example is $550, then $550 is
compared to cost in determining lower of cost or market because replacement cost falls between
                                         Chapter 9: Inventories: Additional Valuation Issues     8-3
the upper ($600) and lower ($500) limits. If replacement cost of the inventory is $650, it would
exceed the upper limit; thus the upper limit ($600) would be compared to cost in determining
lower of cost or market. Similarly, if replacement cost of the inventory is $450, it would be lower
than the lower limit and thus the lower limit ($500) would be compared to cost in determining
lower of cost or market. The amount that is compared to cost, often referred to as designated
market value, is always the middle value of the three amounts: replacement cost, net realizable
value, and net realizable value less a normal profit margin.
   10. The cost or market rule may be applied (a) directly to each item, (b) to each category, or
(c) to the total inventory. The individual-item approach is preferred by many companies because,
as indicated before, tax rules require its use when practical, and it produces the most
conservative inventory valuation on the balance sheet. When inventory is written down to market,
this new basis is considered to be the cost basis for future periods. The method selected should
be the one that most clearly reflects income.
   11. (L.O. 3) Recording inventory at net realizable value, even it that amount is above cost, is
acceptable in certain instances. To be accorded this treatment, the item should (a) have a
controlled market with a quoted price applicable to all quantities (b) have no significant disposal
costs, and (c) have a product that is available for immediate delivery. Certain minerals sold in a
controlled market and agricultural products that are marketable at fixed prices provide examples
of inventory items carried at net realizable value.
   12. When a group of varying inventory items is purchased for a lump sum price, a problem
exists relative to the cost per item. The relative sales value method apportions the total cost to
individual items on the basis of the selling price of each item.
Purchase Commitments
   13. Purchase commitments represent contracts for the purchase of inventory at a specified
price in a future period. If material, the details of the contract should be disclosed in a note of the
buyer’s balance sheet. If the contract price is in excess of the market price and it is expected that
losses will occur when the purchase is effected, the loss should be recognized in the period
during which the market decline took place.
   14. (L.O. 4) The gross profit method is used to estimate the amount of ending inventory. Its
use is not appropriate for financial reporting purposes; however, it can serve a useful purpose
when an approximation of ending inventory is needed. Such approximations are sometimes
required by auditors or when inventory and inventory records are destroyed by fire or some other
catastrophe. The gross profit method should never be used as a substitute for a yearly physical
inventory unless the inventory has been destroyed. The gross profit method is based on the
assumptions that (a) the beginning inventory plus purchases equal total goods to be accounted
for; (b) goods not sold must be on hand; and (c) if sales, reduced to cost, are deducted from the
sum of the opening inventory plus purchases, the result is the ending inventory.
   15. (L.O. 5) The retail inventory method is an inventory estimation technique based upon an
observable pattern between cost and sales price that exists in most retail concerns. This method
requires that a record be kept of (a) the total cost and retail of goods purchased, (b) the total cost
and retail value of the goods available for sale, and (c) the sales for the period.
9-4      Student Study Guide for Intermediate Accounting, 17th Edition
   16. Basically, the retail method requires the computation of the cost-to-retail ratio of
inventory available for sale. This ratio is computed by dividing the cost of the goods available for
sale by the retail value (selling price) of goods available for sale. Once the ratio is determined,
total sales for the period are deducted from the retail value of inventory available for sale. The
resulting amount represents ending inventory priced at retail. When this amount is multiplied by
the cost to retail ratio, an approximation of the cost of ending inventory results. Use of this
method eliminates the need for a physical count of inventory each time an income statement is
prepared. However, physical counts are made at least yearly to determine the accuracy of the
records and to avoid overstatements due to theft, loss, and breakage.
   17. To obtain the appropriate inventory figures under the retail inventory method, proper
treatment must be given to markups, markup cancellations, markdowns, and markdown
cancellations.
  18. When the cost to retail ratio is computed after net markups (markups less markup
cancellations) have been added, the retail inventory method approximates lower of cost or
market. This is known as the conventional retail inventory method. If both net markups and net
markdowns are included before the cost to retail ratio is computed, the retail inventory method
approximates cost.
   19. The retail inventory method becomes more complicated when such items as freight-in,
purchase returns and allowances, and purchase discounts are involved. In essence, the
treatment of the items affecting the cost column of the retail inventory approach follows the
computation of cost of goods available for sale. Freight costs are treated as a part of the
purchase cost; purchase returns and allowances are ordinarily considered a reduction of the price
at both cost and retail; and purchase discounts usually are considered as a reduction of the cost
of purchases.
   20. Other items that require careful consideration include transfers-in, normal shortages,
abnormal shortages, and employee discounts. Transfers-in from another department should
be reported in the same way as purchases from an outside enterprise. Normal shortages should
reduce the retail column because these goods are no longer available for sale. Abnormal
shortages should be deducted from both the cost and retail columns and reported as a special
inventory amount or as a loss. Employee discounts should be deducted from the retail column in
the same way as sales.
   21. The retail inventory method is widely used (a) to permit the computation of net income
without a physical count of inventory, (b) as a control measure in determining inventory
shortages, (c) in regulating quantities of inventory on hand, and (d) for insurance information.
   22. (L.O. 6) Inventories normally represent one of the most significant assets held by a
business entity. Therefore, the accounting profession has mandated certain disclosure
requirements related to inventories. Some of the disclosure requirements include: the
composition of the inventory, the inventory financing, the inventory costing methods employed,
and whether costing methods have been consistently applied. Two common financial ratios used
to analyze inventory are (1) the inventory turnover ratio and (2) the average days to sell inventory.
LIFO Retail
  *23. (L.O. 7) Many accountants suggest a LIFO assumption be adopted for use with the
application of the retail inventory method. Use of LIFO in connection with the retail inventory
                                       Chapter 9: Inventories: Additional Valuation Issues     8-5
method is thought to result in a better matching of costs and revenues. The application of LIFO
retail is made under two assumptions (a) stable prices, and (b) fluctuating prices. Because the
LIFO method is a cost method, not a cost or market approach, both the markups and markdowns
must be considered in obtaining the proper cost to retail percentage. Beginning inventory is
excluded from the computation of the cost to retail percentage because of the layer effect that
results from the use of the LIFO method.
  *24. If changes in the price level occur, the effect of such changes must be eliminated when
using the LIFO retail method. If an enterprise wishes to change from conventional retail to LIFO
retail, the beginning inventory must be restated to conform with the LIFO assumption. In effecting
the change, the inventory of the prior period must be recomputed on the LIFO basis. This amount
then serves as the beginning inventory for the LIFO retail method applied in the current period.
The advantages and disadvantages of the lower-of-cost-or-market method (conventional retail)
versus LIFO retail are the same as for nonretail operations. In the final analysis, the ultimate
decision concerning which retail inventory method to use is often based on the method that
results in the lower taxable income.
IFRS Insights
  *25. (L.O. 8) IFRS prohibits the use of LIFO for inventory valuation, whereas GAAP permits its
use. In the lower-of-cost-or-market test for inventory valuation, IFRS does not have an exception
to the LCNRV rule for the LIFO or retail inventory methods, whereas GAAP permits the use of
lower-of-cost-or-market (LCM) rule. Under GAAP, if inventory is written down under the LCNRV
or lower-of-cost-or-market valuations, the new basis is now considered its cost; under IFRS, the
write down may be reversed in a subsequent period up to the amount of the previous write down.
IFRS requires both biological assets and agricultural produce at the point of harvest to be
reported at net realizable value; GAAP differs.
GLOSSARY
Cost-to-retail ratio.                 Total goods available for sale at cost divided by the total
                                      goods available at retail.
*Dollar-value LIFO retail method.     A method of estimating the cost of ending inventory by
                                      calculating the dollar increase in retail inventory layers with
                                      price indexes.
Gross profit method.                  A method for estimating the ending inventory.
*LIFO retail method.                  A method of estimating the cost of ending inventory which
                                      excludes the beginning inventory in the cost-to-retail ratio.
Lower (floor) limit.                  In applying the lower-of-cost-of-market method, the market
                                      cannot be valued less than net realizable value less a
                                      normal profit margin.
Lower of cost or market (LCM).        A basis whereby inventory is stated at the lower of cost or
                                      market (current replacement cost).
Markdown.                             A decrease below the original retail price.
Markdown cancellation.                An increase in the selling price that follows a markdown. A
                                      markdown cancellation will never increase the selling price
9-6       Student Study Guide for Intermediate Accounting, 17th Edition
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Purchase Commitments
DEMONSTRATION PROBLEMS
3. (L.O. 4) Compute the approximate ending inventory for the Fox Department Store assuming:
beginning inventory (cost), $85,000; purchases (cost), $226,000; sales at selling price, $345,000;
average gross profit rate on selling prices is 38%.
Solution:
            Beginning inventory                                                    $ 85,000
            Purchases                                                               226,000
              Goods available                                                       311,000
            Sales                                             $345,000
            Less gross profit                                  131,100*
              Sales at cost                                                         213,900
            Approximate ending inventory                                           $ 97,100
         *(38% × $345,000)
TRUE-FALSE
Indicate whether each of the following is true (T) or false (F) in the space provided.
_____       1.   (L.O. 1) Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of
                 business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and
                 transportation.
_____       2.   (L.O. 1) The application of the LCNRV to the inventory as a whole would yield a
                 more conservative inventory value than would application of the rule to each
                 individual item.
_____       3.   (L.O. 1) Instead of crediting the Inventory account for market adjustments,
                 companies generally use an allowance account.
_____       4.   (L.O. 2) As used in the lower-of-cost-or-market rule, market should not exceed net
                 realizable value.
_____       5.   (L.O. 2) Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the normal course of
                 business less the normal profit margin.
_____       6.   (L.O. 2) It is acceptable practice to write down inventory to market when market is
                 lower than cost, but it is not acceptable to write up inventory to market when
                 market is higher than cost.
_____       7.   (L.O. 2) When inventory is written down to market, this new basis is considered to
                 be the cost basis for future periods.
_____       8.   (L.O. 2) Under the lower-of-cost-or-market rule, the income statement may show a
                 larger net income in future periods than would be justified if the inventory were
                 carried forward at cost.
_____       9.   (L.O. 2) Under the lower-of-cost-or-market rule, an item of inventory should not be
                 valued at an amount in excess of net realizable value.
9 - 10   Student Study Guide for Intermediate Accounting, 17th Edition
_____    10.   (L.O. 3) The recognition of inventories at selling price less cost of disposal means
               that income is usually recognized before the goods are transferred to an outside
               party.
_____    11.   (L.O. 3) The allocation of a lump sum cost among the individual units on the basis
               of relative sales value assumes that each individual unit should show the same
               dollar amount of profit.
_____    12.   (L.O. 3) No asset or liability is recognized at the inception of a purchase
               commitment because the contract is “executory” in nature.
_____    13.   (L.O. 3) The account Unrealized Holding Gain or Loss (Purchase Commitments)
               should be included in the stockholders’ equity section of the balance sheet.
_____    14.   (L.O. 3) If the contracted price under a purchase commitment is less than market
               and it is expected that gains will occur when the purchase is effected, gains should
               be recognized in the period during which such increases in market prices take
               place.
_____    15.   (L.O. 4) Gross margin is the excess of selling price over cost.
_____    16.   (L.O. 4) The gross margin expressed as a percentage of cost is normally less than
               the gross margin expressed as a percentage of sales.
_____    17.   (L.O. 4) The use of the gross profit method for interim reports does not preclude
               the need for a physical inventory to be taken at least annually.
_____    18.   (L.O. 5) Regardless of which version is used, the retail inventory method is
               sanctioned by the IRS.
_____    19.   (L.O. 5) The retail inventory method is not useful for interim reports.
_____    20.   (L.O. 5) The conventional retail method includes net markdowns but excludes net
               markups in the computation of the cost to retail percentage.
_____    21.   (L.O. 5) The inclusion of both net markups and net markdowns in the computation
               of the cost to retail percentage yields an inventory valuation that approximates
               cost.
_____    22.   (L.O. 5) The retail method assumes that the mix of the ending inventory is the
               same as the mix of the total goods available for sale.
_____    23.   (L.O. 5) The conventional retail inventory method is designed to approximate the
               lower of average cost or market.
_____    24.   (L.O. 6) The basis upon which inventory amounts are stated (lower of cost or
               market) and the method used in determining cost (LIFO, FIFO, average cost, etc.)
               should be disclosed in the notes of the financial statements.
_____    *25. (L.O. 7) A major assumption of the LIFO retail method is that the markups and
              markdowns apply only to the goods purchased during the current period, not to
              the beginning inventory.
                                       Chapter 9: Inventories: Additional Valuation Issues    8 - 11
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Select the best answer for each of the following items and enter the corresponding letter in the
space provided.
_____    1.   (L.O. 1) Franiuk Co. has unfinished inventory with a cost of $600, a sales value of
              $800, estimated cost of completion of $40, and estimated selling costs of $170.
              Franiuks’ net realizable value and loss due to decline in NRV are:
                              NRV                  Loss due to
                                                  decline in NRV
              A.              $800                    $   0
              B.              $600                    $   0
              C.              $590                    $ 10
              D.              $390                    $ 210
_____    2.   (L.O. 1) Which of the following represents the best justification for the departure
              from the historical cost principle that results when lower-of-cost-or-net realizable is
              used?
              A. It is easier to keep track of market value than it is to keep track of cost as
                  market value is available from any supplier.
              B. Cost loses its relevance for the determination of cost of goods sold if the cost
                  of inventory has been incurred in an earlier accounting period.
              C. The balance sheet valuation of inventory is the most important consideration in
                  the preparation of financial statements.
              D. The loss in utility (revenue-producing ability) that results from a decline in the
                  market value of inventory should be charged against revenues in the period in
                  which it occurs.
_____    3.   (L.O. 2) Replacement cost is the designated market value used to compare to cost
              in determining lower of cost or market when its relationship to the items shown
              below is:
                         Net Realizable Value                 NRV less Normal Profit
               A.                Lower                                 Higher
               B.                Higher                                Higher
               C.                Higher                                Lower
               D.                Lower                                 Lower
_____    4.   (L.O. 2) When using the lower-of-cost-or-market method, what is the meaning of
              “designated market”?
               C. $16.
               D. $14.
_____    6.    (L.O. 2) If a unit of inventory has declined in value below original cost, and the
               replacement cost is less than the net realizable value less a normal profit margin,
               the amount to be used for purposes of inventory valuation under LCM is:
               A. original cost.
               B. replacement cost.
               C. net realizable value.
               D. net realizable value less a normal profit margin.
_____    7.    (L.O. 2) Let A equal the reported inventory value if the lower-of-cost-or-market rule
               is applied to individual items of inventory; B equals the reported inventory value if
               the lower of cost or market rule is applied to the inventory as a whole. Which of the
               following best describes the relationship between A and B?
               A. A will always be equal to B.
               B. A will always be equal to or less than B.
               C. A will always be equal to or greater than B.
               D. A can never be equal to B.
_____    8.    (L.O.2) Martinez Corporation has two products in its ending inventory. A profit
               margin of 30% on selling price is considered normal for each product. Specific
               data with respect to each product follows:
                                                         Product A           Product B
                      Historical cost                     $22.00               $ 55.00
                      Replacement cost                     20.00                 56.00
                      Estimated cost to dispose             7.00                 31.00
                      Estimated selling price              35.00                110.00
               In pricing its ending inventory using the lower-of-cost-or-market method, what unit
               values should Martinez use for products A and B respectively?
               A. $17.50 and $55.00
               B. $20.00 and $46.00
               C. $20.00 and $55.00
               D. $28.00 and $56.00
_____    9.    (L.O. 2) Under the lower-of-cost-or-market-rule, designated market will be
               replacement cost except when replacement cost is:
               A. higher than cost.
               B. less than net realizable value.
               C. less than net realizable value less a normal profit margin.
               D. less than cost.
_____    10.   (L.O. 2) The fact that it is accepted practice to recognize decreases in the value of
               inventory prior to the point of sale, but not increases,
               A. illustrates the materiality concept.
               B. can distort income data.
               C. emphasizes relevance over representational faithfulness.
               D. emphasizes representational faithfulness over relevance.
_____    11.   (L.O. 3) Recording inventory at net realizable value is permitted, even if it is above
               cost, when there are no significant costs of disposal involved and:
               A. the ending inventory is determined by a physical inventory count.
               B. a normal profit is not anticipated.
                                       Chapter 9: Inventories: Additional Valuation Issues   8 - 13
REVIEW EXERCISES
   1. (L.O. 2) You are given the following information regarding four inventory items:
                                                      Inventory Items
                                      A             B               C               D
          Cost                      $62            $41             $46             $85
          Replacement cost           48             42              40              80
          Net realizable value       59             47              42              78
          Normal profit margin        8              4               4               5
   Instructions:
   In the space provided, indicate the inventory value for each item in accordance with the lower-
   of-cost-or-market rule.
          A _____         B _____             C _____                D _____
    2. (L.O.2) Josie Bisset Company determines its inventory using the lower of cost or market
inventory valuation. For the years ended 12/31/19 and 12/31/20 the data for inventory values at
cost and lower of cost or market are as follows:
                                           Cost                 Lower of Cost or
                                                                    Market
               12/31/19                $296,000                   $272,000
               12/31/20                $321,000                   $306,000
   Instructions:
         a. Prepare the journal entries required at 12/31/19 and 12/31/20, assuming that the cost-
            of-goods-sold method is used and the company does not use an allowance account.
         b. Prepare the journal entries required at 12/31/19 and 12/31/20, assuming that the loss
            method is used and an allowance account is adjusted at each year-end.
   a.
                                          General Journal
                                                                                              J1
   Date           Account Title                   Debit                        Credit
                            Chapter 9: Inventories: Additional Valuation Issues   8 - 17
b.
                             General Journal
                                                                                    J1
     Date   Account Title               Debit                         Credit
9 - 18    Student Study Guide for Intermediate Accounting, 17th Edition
    3. (L.O. 4) Scholl Company uses the gross profit method to estimate monthly inventory
balances. During recent months, gross profit has averaged 30% of net sales. The following data
for January are obtained from the ledger:
               Inventory, January 1 ........................................................            $ 30,000
               Purchases ........................................................................        100,000
               Purchase returns .............................................................              2,000
               Freight-in .........................................................................        3,000
               Sales ................................................................................    120,000
               Sales returns ...................................................................           4,000
         Instructions:
         Compute the January 31 inventory.
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     4. (L.O. 4) Calabro Inc. had a majority of its inventory destroyed by a fire just prior to year-
end. The company controller had kept the accounting records current and provided you with the
following account balances.
         Beginning inventory                                              $ 67,500
         Purchases for the year                                            235,700
         Purchase returns                                                   17,500
         Sales                                                             326,800
         Sales returns                                                      16,200
         Gross profit rate on sales                                           36%
       Inventory with a selling price of $18,000 was undamaged by the fire. Damaged inventory
       with an original selling price of $10,000 had a net realizable value of $4,800.
       Instructions:
       Compute the amount of the loss caused by the fire, assuming no insurance coverage is
       carried by the company.
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    5. (L.O. 5) The following information for the month of April is available from the records of
Ireland Department Store:
                                             At Cost                  At Retail
         Inventory, April 1                  $ 8,400                  $12,000
         Purchases                            48,810                   80,000
         Freight-in                            2,000
         Additional markups                                                4,300
         Markup cancellations                                                800
         Markdowns                                                         6,600
         Markdowns cancellations                                             200
         Sales                                                            72,600
         Instructions:
         Compute the April 30 inventory at the lower of approximate cost or market using the
         conventional retail method.
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                                      Chapter 9: Inventories: Additional Valuation Issues   8 - 21
*6. (L.O. 7) The following information pertains to the records of the Zuniga Company.
       Beginning inventory                     $ 46,000           $ 65,000
       Net purchases                            374,000            535,000
       Markups                                                      35,000
       Markup cancellations                                         10,000
       Markdowns                                                    26,000
       Markdown cancellations                                       16,000
       Net sales                                                   520,000
Instructions:
Compute the ending inventory under each of the following methods.
a.
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                                        Chapter 9: Inventories: Additional Valuation Issues   8 - 23
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TRUE-FALSE
 1.    (T)
 2.    (F)   The lower-of-cost-or-net realizable value (LCNRV) rule may be applied directly to
             each item or to the total of the inventory. When the LCNRV rule is applied to the
             inventory as a whole, increases in the market prices of some items offset decreases
             in the market prices in other items to some extent. Thus, the application of the
             LCNRV rule to individual inventory items gives the most conservative valuation for
             balance sheet purposes.
 3.    (T)
 4.    (T)
 5.    (F)   Net realizable value is defined as selling price less the estimated cost of completion
             disposal, and transportation. When the normal profit margin is subtracted from net
             realizable value, the resulting amount is referred to as net realizable value less a
             normal profit margin.
 6.    (T)
 7.    (T)
 8.    (T)
 9.    (T)
10.    (T)
11.    (F)   When the relative sales value method is used, it is used because the items being
             valued vary in terms of such characteristics as shape, size, attractiveness, and so
             on. Because of these types of differences, the amount of gross profit generated by
             each item will be different.
12.    (T)
13.    (F)   If the contracted price of a purchase commitment is in excess of market price and it
             is expected that losses will occur when the purchase is effected, an Unrealized
             Holding Gain or Loss (Purchase Commitments) should be recognized and an
             Estimated Liability on Purchase Commitments should be credited. The loss is
             reported on the income statement under other expenses and losses, and the liability
             is reported in the liability section of the balance sheet.
14.    (F)   If the contracted price is in excess of market and it is expected that losses will occur
             when the purchase is effected, losses should be recognized in the period during
             which such declines in market prices take place.
15.    (T)
16.    (F)   Because selling price is greater than cost and the gross margin amount is the same
             for both, gross margin percentage based on selling price will always be less than the
             related percentage based on cost.
9 - 24      Student Study Guide for Intermediate Accounting, 17th Edition
17.   (T)
18.   (T)
19.   (F)      Because a fairly quick and reliable measure of inventory value is usually needed, the
               retail inventory method is particularly useful for any type of interim report.
20.   (F)      The conventional retail inventory method is designed to approximate the lower of
               average cost or market. Thus, the cost percentage computation includes markups
               but not markdowns. When a company has an additional markup, it normally
               indicates that the market value of that item had increased. If the company has a net
               markdown, it means that a decline in the utility of that item has occurred. Therefore,
               if the attempt is to approximate lower of cost or market, markdowns are considered a
               current loss and are not involved in the calculation of the cost to retail ratio.
21.   (T)
22.   (T)
23.   (T)
24.   (T)
*25. (T)
MULTIPLE CHOICE
11.   (C)      With no significant disposal costs and a controlled market, net realizable value is an
               appropriate inventory valuation approach. For example, inventories of certain
               minerals are ordinarily reported at selling prices because there is often a controlled
               market without significant costs of disposal. A similar treatment is given to
               agricultural products that are immediately marketable at fixed prices. Also, this
               method proves to be valuable when cost figures are too difficult to obtain.
12.   (B)      Even with formal, noncancelable purchase contracts, no asset or liability is
               recognized at the date of inception, because the contract is “executory” in nature;
               neither party has fulfilled its part of the contract. However, if material, such
               commitment details should be disclosed in the buyer’s balance sheet in a footnote.
13.   (D)      The gross profit method assumes a constant gross profit percentage, but makes no
               assumptions about the total amount of sales or purchases. Alternatively (A), (B), and
               (C) are basic assumptions of the gross profit method.
14.   (A)      A 25% markup on cost is equivalent to a 20% markup on selling price:
                                                 %markup on cost
               GP on selling price =
                                              100% + % markup on cost
                                              .25
               GP on selling price =
                                              1.25
               GP on selling price            = .20
19.         (B)
                                                                                              Cost                 Retail
            Inventory 1/1/20 ....................................................             $14,200              $20,100
            Purchase ...............................................................           32,600               50,000
             ..............................................................................   $46,800              $70,100
            Additional Markups................................................                                       1,900
            Totals ....................................................................       $46,800              $72,000
                                                                           Cost                         Retail
                   Beginning inventory                                   $ 30,000                    $ 60,000
                   Purchases                                              190,000                     300,000
                   Freight-in                                               1,000                           -
                                                                        $221,000                      360,000
                   Add: Markups, net                                                                    2,000
                                                                                                     $362,000
9 - 28       Student Study Guide for Intermediate Accounting, 17th Edition
                  The cost-to-retail ratio approximating lower of cost or market includes net markups
                  but not net markdowns: $221,000/$362,000 = 61.05%.
24.    (D)        The retail inventory method is used widely (1) to permit the computation of net
                  income without a physical count of inventory, (2) as a control measure in
                  determining inventory shortages, (3) in regulating quantities of merchandise on
                  hand, and (4) for insurance information. The retail inventory method does not
                  necessarily cause a decrease in income taxes like LIFO during a period of rising
                  prices.
REVIEW EXERCISES
1.
             A. $51                  B. $41                   C. $40                       D. $78
2.       a.
          12/31/19
                             Cost of Goods Sold ...................................................          24,000
                               Inventory ................................................................                24,000
          12/31/20           Cost of Goods Sold ...................................................          15,000
                               Inventory ................................................................                15,000
          b.
          12/31/19           Loss Due to Market Decline of Inventory ...................                     24,000
                                Allowance to Reduce Inventory to Market .............                                    24,000
          12/31/20           Allowance to Reduce Inventory to Market .................                       9,000*
                                Recovery of Market Decline of Inventory ...............                                   9,000
3.
     Inventory, January ...........................................................................                       $ 30,000
     Purchases ........................................................................................                    100,000
     Freight-in..........................................................................................                     3,000
     Purchase returns .............................................................................                         (2,000)
         Goods available (at cost) ...........................................................                            $131,000
     Sales ................................................................................................               $120,000
     Sales returns ....................................................................................                       4,000
     Net sales ..........................................................................................                 $116,000
     Less gross profit (30% of 116,000) ..................................................                                  34,800
         Cost of goods sold .....................................................................                           81,200
     Inventory, January 31 (at cost) (131,000 - 81,200) ..........................                                        $ 49,800
4.
     Sales ...............................................................................................    $326,800
     Sales returns ...................................................................................         (16,200)
     Net sales .........................................................................................       310,600
     Gross profit rate ..............................................................................               .36
     Gross profit .....................................................................................       $111,816
5.
                                                                                                            Cost         Retail
         Inventory, April 1 ....................................................................          $ 8,400      $12,000
         Purchases ..............................................................................          48,810       80,000
         Freight-in ................................................................................        2,000
         Net markups ...........................................................................                         3,500
         Goods available......................................................................            $59,210      $95,500
         Less:
            Sales .................................................................................       72,600
            Net markdowns .................................................................                6,400
             ..........................................................................................                 79,000
         Inventory, April 30, at retail.....................................................                           $16,500
6.       a. Conventional Retail
                                                                   Cost                                       Retail
         Beginning inventory                                    $ 46,000                                    $ 65,000
         Purchases (net)                                         374,000                                     535,000
            Totals                                               420,000                                     600,000
         Add net markups
            Markups                                                                          35,000
            Markup cancellations                                                             10,000           25,000
                                                               $420,000                                      625,000
         Deduct net markdowns
            Markdowns                                                                        26,000
            Markdown cancellations                                                           16,000           10,000
         Sales price of goods available                                                                      615,000
         Deduct sales                                                                                        520,000
         Ending inventory at retail                                                                         $ 95,000
                                    420,000
         Cost - to - retail ratio =         = 67.2%
                                    625,000
         Ending inventory at lower of cost or market: $95,000 × .672 = $63,840
                               Chapter 9: Inventories: Additional Valuation Issues    8 - 31