Question: Analyzing the Effects of Four Alternative Inventory Methods in a Periodic Inventory System
Mojo Industries tracks the number of units purchased and sold throughout each accounting period but applies its inventory costing method at the end of each period, as if it uses a periodic inventory system. Assume its accounting records provided the following information at the end of the accounting period, January 31, 2009. The inventory's selling price is $9 per unit.
Transactions: Unit Cost Units Total cost
Inventory,Jan. 1 $2.50 250 $650
Sale, Jan. 10 (200)
Purchase Jan. 12 $3.00 300 900
Sale, Jan. 17 (150)
Purchase, Jan. 26 $4.00 80 320
Required:
- Compute the amount of goods available for sale, ending inventory, and cost of goods sold at January 31, 2009, under each of the following inventory costing methods:
- Weighted average cost.
- First-in, first-out.
- Last-in, first-out.
- Specific identification, assuming that the January 10 sale was from the beginning inventory and the January 17 sale was from the January 12 purchase.
- Of the four methods, which will result in the highest gross profit? Which will result in the lowest income taxes?