When the direct method is used adjust cost to market, what account is debited?
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Net realizable value is the estimated selling price of goods, minus the cost of their sale or disposal. It is used in the determination of the lower of cost or market for on-hand inventory items. The deductions from the estimated selling price are any reasonably predictable costs of completing, transporting, and disposing of inventory. Show
Understanding Net Realizable ValueThere is an ongoing need to examine the value of inventory to see if its recorded cost should be reduced, due to the negative impacts of such factors as damage, spoilage, obsolescence, and reduced demand from customers. Further, writing down inventory prevents a business from carrying forward any losses for recognition in a future period. Thus, the use of net realizable value is a way to enforce the conservative recordation of inventory asset values. The conservative recordation of inventory values is important, because an overstated inventory could result in a business reporting significantly more assets than is really the case. This can be a concern when calculating the current ratio, which compares current assets to current liabilities. Lenders and creditors rely on the current ratio to evaluate the liquidity of a borrower, and so might incorrectly lend money based on an excessively high current ratio. How to Calculate Net Realizable ValueFollow these steps to determine the net realizable value of an inventory item:
Thus, the formula for net realizable value is as follows: Inventory market value - Costs to complete and sell goods = Net realizable value Example of Net Realizable ValueABC International has a green widget in inventory with a cost of $50. The market value of the widget is $130. The cost to prepare the widget for sale is $20, so the net realizable value is $60 ($130 market value - $50 cost - $20 completion cost). Since the cost of $50 is lower than the net realizable value of $60, the company continues to record the inventory item at its $50 cost. In the following year, the market value of the green widget declines to $115. The cost is still $50, and the cost to prepare it for sale is $20, so the net realizable value is $45 ($115 market value - $50 cost - $20 completion cost). Since the net realizable value of $45 is lower than the cost of $50, ABC should record a loss of $5 on the inventory item, thereby reducing its recorded cost to $45. Accounting for Net Realizable ValueIf this calculation does result in a loss, charge the loss to the cost of goods sold expense with a debit, and credit the inventory account to reduce the value of the inventory account. If the loss is material, you may want to segregate it in a separate loss account, which more easily draws the attention of a reader of a company's financial statements. Accounts Receivable Net Realizable ValueNet realizable value can also refer to the aggregate total of the ending balances in the trade accounts receivable account and the offsetting allowance for doubtful accounts. This net amount represents the amount of cash that management expects to realize once it collects all outstanding accounts receivable. NRV, in the context of inventory, is the estimated selling price in the normal course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Obviously, these measurements can be somewhat subjective, and may require the exercise of judgment in their determination. It is also important to note that a company using LIFO or the retail method (as described in the next section of this chapter) would not use the lower-of-cost-or-NRV method, but would instead value inventory at lower of cost or “market.” Substitution of the word “market” entails subtle technical distinctions, the details of which are usually covered in more advanced accounting classes. It is noteworthy that the lower-of-cost-or-NRV adjustments can be made for each item in inventory, or for the aggregate of all the inventory. In the latter case, the good offsets the bad, and a write-down is only needed if the overall value is less than the overall cost. In any event, once a write-down is deemed necessary, the loss should be recognized in income and inventory should be reduced. Once reduced, the Inventory account becomes the new basis for valuation and reporting purposes going forward. Unlike international reporting standards, U.S. GAAP does not permit a write-up of write-downs reported in a prior year, even if the value of the inventory has recovered.
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Did you learn?What is the purpose of the lower of cost or net realizable value rule?How is NRV generally defined in the lower of cost or net realizable value method?Be able to perform lower of cost or net realizable value method computations. Is net realizable value debit or credit?In the case of accounts receivable, net realizable value can also be expressed as the debit balance in the asset account Accounts Receivable minus the credit balance in the contra asset account Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts.
What will happen when the cost of goods sold method is used to record inventory at NRV?What will happen when the cost-of-goods-sold method is used to record inventory at NRV? The market value figure for ending inventory is substituted for cost and the loss is buried in cost of goods sold.
What is the journal entry for inventory writeAn inventory write-off may be recorded in one of two ways. It may be expensed directly to the cost of goods sold (COGS) account, or it may offset the inventory asset account in a contra asset account, commonly referred to as the allowance for obsolete inventory or inventory reserve.
Is cost of sales an expense?Cost of Goods Sold is also known as “cost of sales” or its acronym “COGS.” COGS refers to the cost of goods that are either manufactured or purchased and then sold. COGS counts as a business expense and affects how much profit a company makes on its products.
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