Friday, 7 February 2014

Asok Nadhani-Accountancy-Inventories

Inventories
By Asok Nadhani
14.1 Inventory
a)    Inventory can be defined as tangible asset held for sale, or production of goods or services for sale in the ordinary course of business.
b)   In the case of manufacturing concern, inventory includes:-
(i)        Finished goods.
(ii)       Work-in-progress.
(iii)      Raw Materials.
(iv)     Stores, and
(v)      Components.
c)    In the case of trading business, inventory means stock of finished goods.
d)   Closing stock can be determined as follows:
Opening Stock + Net Purchase + Direct Expenses - Cost of Goods Sold (CoGS) = Closing Stock

14.2 Importance of Inventory Valuation
i)      To estimate correct gross profit: Gross profit depends on value of Opening and Closing stock. If value of closing stock is more, gross profit will be more and if value of closing stock is less, gross profit will be less. Closing stock of the current year becomes the opening stock of the next year. Cost of goods sold of the next year will be affected due to valuation of closing stock of current year. So, correct valuation of stock is very important.
ii)    For comparison: If stock is inaccurately valued, comparisons based on stock will become defective.
iii)   To determine the true financial position: Closing stock appears in the asset side of balance sheet. If it is inaccurately valued, balance sheet will not indicate true financial position.
iv)   Decision-making by Management: Inventory or stock figures are also required by management for Decision-making.

14.3 Basis of Inventory Valuation
The basis of valuation of inventory is calculated as
(1) Cost Price,
(2) Net Realizable Price, whichever is lower.
-     Cost = Money expended on acquisition of goods.
-     Net Realizable Value = Estimated selling price in ordinary course of business, less estimated cost of completion and estimated cost necessary to sale.

14.4 Methods of Inventory Valuation
There are 3 basic principles of valuation of inventory as follows:
a)
Cost Price or Historical Cost Method

i)
Specific Cost Method

ii)
First-In-First-Out Method or FIFO Method

iii)
Last-In-First-Out Method or LIFO Method

iv)
Highest In, First Out Method or HIFO Method

v)
Next In, First Out Method or NIFO Method

vi)
Base Stock Price Method

vii)
Simple Average Cost Method

viii)
End Of The Previous Month Average Cost Method

ix)
Weighted Average Cost Method

x)
Moving Average Cost Method
b)
Market Price Methods

i)
Replacement Price

ii)
Net Realizable Value

iii)
Current Selling Price

iv)
Discounted Future Cash receipt
c)
Cost or Market Price, whichever is lower

i)
Global or aggregate Method

ii)
Item by Item Method

iii)
Group Method

14.4.1   Cost Price or Historical Cost Method
i)      Cost Price means the cost of materials consumed and its manufacturing cost, i.e., Cost Price= Purchase cost of Raw Materials + Direct Expenses + Overheads.
ii)     The purchase cost varies from time to time, and on frequency or volume of purchase: So, the purchase is determined a various methods as follows:
iii)    Following are the various methods, under Historical Cost Method:
14.4.1.1 Specific Cost Method: Under this method each type of inventory is valued at its real price. This method is adopted where material is purchased for a specific job for a specific purpose. This method is also used in a business where small numbers of items are handled.
14.4.1.2 First-In-First-Out Method or FIFO Method: Goods purchased first are issued at the price at which they were acquired. So, the rate of oldest stock-in-hand is applied for each sale or consumption.
14.4.1.2.1 Merits of FIFO Method
i)      Unrealized profit does not form part of accounting records, as materials or goods are recorded at actual cost.
ii)     As stock in hand relates to goods recently purchased or acquired. Hence stock value remains close to current prices.
iii)    This method justifies the logical reason and equity point of view, that whatever comes first is used or sold first.
14.4.1.2.2 Demerits of FIFO Method
i)      This method is not suitable when market prices of materials and goods are continuously increasing. In such a case cost of production is shown less than what really is, and may lead to loss.
ii)     The jobs, in which same type of materials is used, cannot be easily compared from cost point of view, if they occur at different point of time.
iii)    Calculations under this method are complicated.
14.4.1.2.3 Suitability of FIFO Method
FIFO Method is most suitable in the following cases:-
-      Materials can be easily identified as belonging to a specific purchase.
-      Prices of materials do not charge rapidly.
Example: 1
Find out the value of stock under FIFO Method:
April 1-
500 units @ of Rs.120/ unit.
April 10-
300 units @ of Rs.105/ unit.
April 15-
250 units @ of Rs.100/ unit.
April 25-
100 Units @ of Rs.95/ unit
Issue of stock from the inventory during April:
April 2
-
210 Units
April 7
-
285 Units
April 11
-
220 Units
April 21
-
330 Units
Solution:
Store Ledger ( FIFO Method)

Receipts
Issues
Balance
Date
April
Units
Rate Rs.
Amount
Rs.
Date
Units
Rate
Rs.
Amount
Rs.
Units
Rate
Rs.
Amount
Rs.
1
500
120
60,000




500
120
60,000




2
210
120
25,200
290
120
34,800




7
285
120
34,200
5
120
600
10
300
105
31,500




5
300
120
105
600
31,500




11
5
120
600
85
105
8,925





215
105
22,575



15
250
100
25,000




85
250
105
100
8,925
25,000




21
85
245
105
100
8,925
24,500
5
100
500
25
100
95
9,500




5
100
100
95
500
9,500
Therefore, Value of Closing Stock= 105 units Rs.10,000.
Note: The inventory remaining on hand is presumed to consist of most recent purchase cost. It can be seen that earlier stock is issued first. The materials, earlier purchased @ 120 & Rs.105, were first issued. The stock of 105 units in hand consist of the latest of stock of 100 units @ 95 is remaining and the balance 5 units is of the next reveal stock @ Rs.100/units.    

14.4.1.3 Last-In-First-Out Method or LIFO Method: Under this method materials or goods which are acquired last will be issued or sold first. Closing stock represents stock which was acquired earlier.
Merits of LIFO Method
i)     Correct cost of goods sold can be found out as the latest prices are used for determining the cost.
ii)    Value of closing stock is reasonable as it is based on cost price.
iii)   It is useful because unrealized profit does not form a part of financial accounting.
iv)   Useful when prices of materials and goods have the tendency of rising continuously.
However, LIFO method is not allowed as per AS-2.

14.4.1.4 Highest In, First out Method or HIFO Method: Under this method those materials or goods are issued or sold first whose price is highest. Values of closing stock under this method represent items of lower prices.
Merits
i)      If the market prices are continuously fluctuating, this method is useful.
ii)     It is suitable because stock value is based on cost price.
Demerits
i)      The cost of sale may be too high to face competition. It also involves lot of calculations.

14.4.1.5 Next In, First out Method or NIFO Method: Under this method, materials are issued or sold at a price for which order has been given and the materials or goods have not been received (not at the price at which they were purchased).

14.4.1.6 Base Stock Price Method: Minimum stocks of goods, known as base stock, are kept recorded. It is valued at the price which is the price of first purchased goods or materials. The Base Stock portion of closing stock is valued at base stock price. The excess is valued according to any method determined by management. 

14.4.1.7 Simple Average Cost Method: Average price of goods purchased up to the date of issue is found out, and this average price is applied to compute cost of goods issued.
This method is based on the principle that when materials purchased are placed in stores, their identity is gone. So, average of prices of all the goods in store is found out and issues are valued at this price. It may result in closing stock value in negative amount.
  
14.4.1.8 End of Previous Month Average Cost Method: Under this method the price of issue of material of current month is the average price of the last month. It may result in closing stock value in negative amount.

14.4.1.9 Weighted Average Cost Method: Under this method quantity of materials are multiplied by their respective rates of purchased. Product of all purchases is totaled up and divided by total of quantities, thus weighted average cost is found out.

(i)   Weighted Average Price Per Units

Total cost of goods purchased during the period
Total quantity purchased during the period.
(ii)  Closing Stock
=
Stock Units x Weighted Average Price Per Units.

14.4.1.10 Moving Average Cost Method: According to this method, weighted average price of materials purchased before the date of issue, is found out. Value of issue of materials is computed applying such averages price.

14.4.2   Market Price Methods
Here the stock is valued at Market Price. However, this may lead to unrealized profit. Hence, it is normally used for managerial purpose and not for stock value in books of accounts.
Stock value under this method may be computed in any of the following ways:-
14.4.2.1 Replacement Price: Replacement price means the price at which goods could be purchased in the market on the valuation date of stock.

14.4.2.2 Net Realizable Value: It is the estimated selling price at which goods could be sold on the date of valuation of closing stock (the sales expenses to be incurred). 

14.4.2.3 Current Selling Price: This is the price at which goods are available in the market on the date of valuation of stock.

14.4.2.4 Discounted Future Cash receipt: If goods are to be delivered at a future date (over long period), present value of the amount to be received at a future date is completed by discounting it at a reasonable interest rate. Stock is valued at this discounted future rate.

14.4.3   Cost or Market Price, whichever is lower
Ordinarily stock is valued at cost or market price whichever lower, applying methods are like:
14.4.3.1 Global or aggregate Method: Total of Cost Prices or market prices of each type of stocks are aggregated and stocks are valued at the lower of there two aggregates.
14.4.3.2 Item by Item Method: Cost price and market price of each item is found out stock is valued at lower of them for each item.
14.4.3.3 Group Method: Stocks are grouped into various groups according to their nature or type. Lower amount of each group aggregate is treated as value of closing stock.

Example: 2 (FIFO Method, LIFO Method, Weighted Average Method)
The following are the details of a part of Sriram Mills:
01.01.1993
Opening stock Nil.
01.01.1993
Purchases 100 units @ Rs.30 per unit.
15.01.1993
Issued for consumption 50 units.
01.02.1993
Purchases 200 units @ Rs.40 per unit.
15.02.1993
Issued for consumption 100 units.
20.02.1993
Issued for consumption 100 units.
01.03.1993
Purchases 150 units @ Rs.50 per unit
15.03.1993
Issued for consumption 100 units.
Find out the value of stock as on 31.03.1993 if the company follows:
(1)    First-In-First-Out basis.
(2)    Last-In-first-Out basis, and
(3)    Weighted average basis.
[C.A. (Foundation) – Dec. 1993]
Solution:
(1) Sriram Mills.
Store Ledger (FIFO Method)

Date
1993
Purchases
Issues
Balance
Quantity
Rate Rs.
Value Rs.
Quantity
Rate
 Rs.
Value Rs.
Quantity
Rate
Value Rs.
Jan. 01
100
30
3,000



100
30
3,000
Jan. 15



50
30
1,500
50
30
1,500
Feb. 01
200
40
8,000



50
30
1,500







200
40
8,000
Feb. 15



50
30
1,500
150
40
6,000




50
40
2,000



Feb. 20



100
40
4,000
50
40
2,000
Mar.01
150
50
7,500



50
40
2,000







150
50
7,500
Mar. 15



50
40
2,000
100
50
5,000




50
50
2,500



Value of Closing Stock.
100

5,000
(2) Sriram Mills.
Store Ledger (LIFO Method)

Date
1993
Purchases
Issues
Balance
Quantity
Rate
Rs.
Value
Rs.
Quantity
Rate
 Rs.
Value
Rs.
Quantity
Rate
Value
Rs.
Jan. 01
100
30
3,000



100
30
3,000
Jan. 15



50
30
1,500
50
30
1,500
Feb. 01
200
40
8,000



50
30
1,500







200
40
8,000
Feb. 15



100
40
4,000
50
30
1,500







100
40
4,000
Feb. 20



100
40
4,000
50
30
1,500
Mar. 01
150
50
7,500



50
30
1,500







150
50
7,500
Mar. 15



100
50
5,000
50
30
1,500







50
50
2,500
Value of Closing Stock.
100

4,000
(3) Sriram Mills.
Store Ledger (Weighted Average Method)

Date
1993
Purchases
Issues
Balance
Quantity
Rate Rs.
Value Rs.
Quantity
Rate
 Rs.
Value Rs.
Quantity
Rate
Value Rs.
Jan. 01
100
30
3,000



100
30
3,000
Jan. 15



50
30
1,500
50
30
1,500
Feb. 01
200
40
8,000



250
38
9,500
Feb. 15



100
38
3,800
150
38
5,700
Feb. 20



100
38
3,800
50
38
1,900
Mar. 01
150
50
7,500



200
47
9,400
Mar. 15



100
47
4,700
100
47
4,700
Value of Closing Stock.
100

4,700

14.5 Valuation of stock on the Date of Balance Sheet
When stock-taking is done few days before or after the date of Balancing Sheet, some adjustments are necessary to find out the value of stock on the date of balance sheet.
1.    Stock-taking before the date of Balance Sheet If stock-taking has been done on 25th December, 2009 while balance sheet is prepared on 31st December, 2009, following adjustments are made to find out the value of stock on the date of balance sheet:-
Stock as on stock taking date (e.g. at 25th December, 2009).

xx
Add:
Purchases during the stock taking date to balance sheet date (i.e. period from 25th December up to 31st December, 2009.)
xx

Add:
Sales returns during the period stock taking date to balance sheet date (i.e. from 25th Dec, 2009 up to 31st Dec, 2009.)
xx
xx

Total

xx
Less:
(i)     Sales from stock taking date to balance sheet date (i.e. from 25th December, 2009 to 31st December, 2009.)
xx


(ii)    Purchases returns from stock taking date to balance sheet date (i.e. from 25th December, 2009 to 31st Dec, 2009.
xx
xx

Closing Stock on the date of Balance Sheet (i.e. 31st Dec, 2009.)

xx

2.    Stock-taking after the date of Balance Sheet If stock-taking has been done on 15th January, 2009 following adjustments are made out the value of closing stock on the date of Balance sheet, i.e., 31st December, 2009.
Stock at 15th January, 2009.

xxx
Add:
(i)     Sales (at cost) from balance sheet date to stock taking date (i.e. period from 1st January, to 15th January, 2009.)
xxx


(ii)    Purchases returns from balance sheet date to stock taking date (i.e. period from 1st January, 2009 to 15th January, 2009.)
xxx


(iii)   Under-casting in stock (if any) from balance sheet date to stock taking date.
xxx


(iv)   Goods in transit (if any) from balance sheet date to stock taking date.
xxx
xxx



xxx
Less:
(i)    Purchases from balance sheet date to stock taking date (i.e. period from 1st January, to 15th January, 2009.)
xxx


(ii)    Sales Returns (at cost) from balance sheet date to stock taking date (i.e. period from 1st January, 15th January, 2009.)
xxx


(iii)   Any over-casting in stock from balance sheet date to stock taking date.s
xxx


(iv)   Goods held on consignment basis (if any) from balance sheet date to stock taking date.
xxx
xxx

Closing Stock on the date of Balance Sheet

xxx
14.6 Methods of Stock-Taking
14.6.1 Periodic Inventory System
According to this system, stock is taken after the close of according period. Physical counting or weightment of stock is done and then it is recorded in cost sheet. These sheets contain columns for (i) Serial No., (ii) Particulars of Inventory, (iii) No. of units or weight, (iv) Price per unit or kg., etc., (v) value.
Total of balance column indicates the total mount of stock.
Weaknesses of this System
(1)     If business is big one, stock-taking may take a long time, during which suspension of regular stock movement will not be practicable.
(2)     Employees of stores remain busy in this work, therefore issues from stores are not made to various departments and business may suffer.
(3)     It does not disclose loss in stock, which might have been caused due to theft, deterioration.
However, mostly small business find this system of stock-taking most suitable.
14.6.2   Perpetual Inventory System
Stock-taking is done continuously throughout the accounting period. Under the system, receipt and issue of material continues as per requirements and recorded in store ledger, which show complete movement of stock items. At intervals, store ledger balance is compared with physical stock of materials.
Merits of Perpetual system
(1)     Purchases and issues do not remain suspended during stock-taking period.
(2)     There remains strict control of stock.
(3)     Loss or destruction of material is detected early.

14.6.3 Difference between Periodic Inventory System and Perpetual Inventory System
Sl. No.
Periodic Inventory System
Perpetual Inventory System
1.
It is done once in a year i.e., normally at the end of the accounting period.
It is done continuously throughout the accounting period.
2.
Physical stock-taking is done.
It is based on records, physical stock-taking is also simultaneously done.
3.
Preparation of final accounts may be delayed as entire task in carried not at the end of financial period.
Final accounts may be prepared earlier, as only a small portion of work is left one at the end of the year.
4.
Control on stock is lenient.
Better control on stock.
5.
Discrepancies are found out at a very late stage.
Discrepancies are detected early stage.
6.
This system is very economical, particularly for small organizations.
This system is relatively costly, small organization may not afford it.

Example 3. A trader prepares his account on 31st March each year. Due to some avoidable reasons, no stock-taking could be possible till 15th April, 2010, on which date total cost of goods in his godown came to Rs.50,000.
The following facts were established between 31st March and 15th April, 2010.
(i)     Sales Rs.41,000 (Including cash sales Rs.10,000)
(ii)    Purchase Rs.5,034 (Including cash purchase Rs.1,900)
(iii)   Sales Return Rs.1,000
(iv)   On 15th March goods of the sale value of Rs.10,000 were sent on sale or return basis to customer, the period of approval being four weeks. He returned 40% of the goods on 10th April approving the rest. The customer was billed on 16th April.
(v)    A trader has received goods costing Rs.8,000 in March, for sale on consignment basis, 20% of the goods had been sold by 31st March, and another 50% by the April. These sales are not included in above sales.
Goods are sold by the trader at a profit of 20% on sales.
 You are required to ascertain the value of inventory as on 31st March, 2010.
(Adapted CA PE-I May, 2003)
Solution:
1.     Calculation of Cost of goods sold after 31st March, till stock-taking:

Rs.
Sales
41,000
Less: Sales return
1,000

40,000
Goods were sold at a profit of 20% on sales, cost of goods sold = [Rs.40,000 x (80/100)] = Rs.32,000.
2.     Calculation of Cost of stock with customer on approval basis:

Rs.
Goods sent on approval or return basis 
10,000
Less: Return from customer on approval (or return) basis 
4,000

6,000
Therefore, Cost of stock with customer on approval = Rs.[6,000 x (80/100)] = Rs.4,800.
3.     Calculation of Stock belonging to consignors:
Goods received on consignment basis Rs.8,000. Out of them, 20% of the goods had been sold by 31st March, and another 50% by the April. So (50% + 20%) = 70% of the goods have been sold. Therefore, stocks remaining to consignors = (100% - 70%) = 30%. Value of stock = Rs.(8,000 x 30/100) = Rs.2,400.
Valuation of Stock
As on 31st March, 2010


Particulars
Rs.
Rs.

1.
Stock to godown on 15th April

50,000

2.
Add:
(a)
Cost of goods sold after 31st March, till stock-taking [Wn.1]
32,000




(b)
Cost of stock with customer on approval [Wn.2]
4,800
36,800






86,800

3.
Less:
(a)
Cost of goods purchased after 31st March till stock-taking is made
5,034




(b)
Stock belonging to consignors [Wn.3]
2,400
7,434






79,366
Example: 4
From the following information ascertain the value of stock as on 31st March, 2004 and also the profit for the year:
Particulars
Rs.
Stock as on 01.04.2003
14,250
Purchases
76,250
Manufacturing Expenses
15,000
Selling Expenses
6,050
Administrative Expenses
3,000
Financial Charges
2,150
Sales
1,24,500
At the time of valuing stock as on 31st March, 2003, a sum of Rs.1,750 was written off on a particular item, which was originally purchased for Rs.5,000 and was sold during the year at Rs.4,500. Barring the transaction relating to this item, the gross profit earned during the year was 20% on sales.
Compute Stock value as on 31.3.2004 and
Profit for the financial year 2003 - 2004
(CA PE-I May, 2004)
Solution:
Valuation of Stock
As on 31st March, 2004

Particulars

Rs.
Rs.

Opening Stock

14,250

Add:
Written off last year

1,750
16,000

Purchases


76,250

Manufacturing Expenses


15,000

Cost of production


1,07,250
Less:
Cost of Goods sold




Sales
1,24,500



Less: Abnormal Sales
4,500




1,20,000



Less: Gross Profit @ 20% on sales
24,000




96,000



Add: Cost of Abnormal Sales
5,000






1,01,000

Value of Closing Stock.


6,250
Statement of Profit for the F.Y 2003-04

Particulars
Rs.
Rs.

Gross Profit

24,000
Less:
Loss on Sale of Goods (Rs.5,000 – Rs.4,500)
500


Administrative Expenses
3,000


Selling Expenses
6,050


Financial Charges
2,150
11,700

Profit for the year, 2003-04

12,300