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7+ FIFO: Calculate Closing Inventory (Simple!)

The First-In, First-Out (FIFO) method for inventory valuation assumes that the first units purchased are the first ones sold. Therefore, the remaining inventory at the end of an accounting period consists of the most recently acquired goods. The value of closing inventory is calculated by identifying the cost of the newest items in stock until the total number of units in closing inventory is accounted for. For example, if a company has 100 units in closing inventory, and the last 60 units were purchased at $10 each while the 40 units before that were purchased at $8 each, the closing inventory value would be (60 x $10) + (40 x $8) = $920.

This valuation technique offers several advantages. It often aligns with the actual physical flow of goods, especially for perishable items or items subject to obsolescence. In periods of rising prices, this approach typically results in a lower cost of goods sold (COGS) and a higher net income, potentially benefiting a company’s reported profitability. Historically, it has been favored for its ease of understanding and application, contributing to its widespread adoption across various industries.

Gross profit calculation employing the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) inventory valuation method determines profitability by assuming that the first goods purchased are the first goods sold. To execute this calculation, one must first identify the cost of goods sold (COGS). This is achieved by tracing the cost of the oldest inventory items to the initial sales. The total revenue from sales is then reduced by the calculated COGS. For example, if a business sells 100 units and the FIFO method assigns a cost of $10 per unit to those sales, the COGS is $1000. If the revenue from selling these units is $1500, the gross profit is $500 ($1500 – $1000).

This methodology offers several advantages. It provides a more accurate reflection of current inventory value on the balance sheet, especially during periods of inflation. As older, lower-cost inventory is expensed first, the remaining inventory more closely reflects current market prices. Historically, FIFO has been favored for its simplicity and perceived alignment with the actual flow of goods in many businesses, leading to wider acceptance and use in financial reporting.