Inventory Accounting Explained: COGS, FIFO, LIFO, Weighted Average & Inventory Valuation
Inventory accounting is one of the most important topics in financial accounting and business management. Every business that sells products must maintain inventory records to determine profit accurately and manage stock efficiently. Whether a company is small or large, inventory directly affects profit, operating efficiency, taxation, and financial reporting. For students of Financial Accounting and Analysis, understanding inventory concepts is essential because inventory impacts both the income statement and the balance sheet. Proper inventory accounting helps businesses calculate Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), value closing stock correctly, avoid inventory losses, and make better financial decisions. In this article, we will discuss the meaning and nature of inventory, Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), periodic and perpetual inventory systems, FIFO, LIFO, and weighted average methods, inventory valuation, inventory errors, gross profit method, retail inventory method, and inventory turnover ...