How to Determine the Value of Inventory Using FIFO (2024)

Determining the value of inventory is an important part of accounting. In order to calculate the profit on a sale, a cost must be assigned to the item sold. A business that is selling large amounts of inventory might have difficulty recording the cost of each item sold. FIFO, or First In, First Out, is a method of valuing inventory. The FIFO method records the first items purchased as the items that were sold, and the last items purchased are the ones listed as inventory on hand.

  1. 1.

    Record the amount of inventory on hand at the beginning of the period. If a business had 50 units valued at $100 each on December 31, the beginning inventory on January 1 is worth $5,000 (50 x 100 = 5,000).

  2. 2.

    Record the amount and dates of inventory purchased, as well as the price of each shipment. If a company had a shipment of inventory on January 25 and February 19, record the quantity and price of each shipment; for example, 20 units at $80 each on January 25 and 30 units at $70 each on February 19.

  3. 3.

    Record the number of units of inventory sold during the period. For example, if the company sold 60 units between January 1 and March 30, it would record 60 units sold for the first quarter of the year.

  4. 4.

    Calculate the value of the inventory sold during the period. Using FIFO, list the beginning inventory and the first shipments of inventory as being sold first. Using the earlier example with 60 units sold, the business would record the sale of the 50 units of beginning inventory valued at $100 each for a total of $5,000 (50 x 100 = 5,000). It would then record the sale of the 10 units purchased on January 25 at $80 each, or $800 worth of inventory (80 x 10 = 800). This results in a cost of goods sold of $5,800 (5,000 + 800 = 5,800).

  5. 5.

    Calculate the value of the inventory remaining. Using the earlier example, the business would record 10 units purchased for $80 each (20 units purchased minus 10 units sold). It then records the 30 units purchased on February 19 for $70 each. This gives it an inventory valued at $2,900 (10 x $80 + 30 x $70 = $2,900). As this example illustrates, using FIFO during a period of falling prices results in a lower value for the inventory on hand. With the higher-priced inventory recorded as sold, profits will be reduced as the costs of purchasing those items is higher. Conversely, using FIFO during a period of rising prices results in higher profits, as the units purchased at the lower prices are recorded as being sold.

How to Determine the Value of Inventory Using FIFO (2024)

FAQs

How to Determine the Value of Inventory Using FIFO? ›

To calculate FIFO (First-In, First Out) determine the cost of your oldest inventory and multiply that cost by the amount of inventory sold, whereas to calculate LIFO (Last-in, First-Out) determine the cost of your most recent inventory and multiply it by the amount of inventory sold.

How to calculate value of inventory using FIFO? ›

To calculate FIFO (First-In, First Out) determine the cost of your oldest inventory and multiply that cost by the amount of inventory sold, whereas to calculate LIFO (Last-in, First-Out) determine the cost of your most recent inventory and multiply it by the amount of inventory sold.

What is the FIFO method of valuation of inventory? ›

The First-in First-out (FIFO) method of inventory valuation is based on the assumption that the sale or usage of goods follows the same order in which they are bought. In other words, under the first-in, first-out method, the earliest purchased or produced goods are sold/removed and expensed first.

How do you calculate the value of closing inventory using the FIFO method? ›

To calculate Ending Inventory using FIFO:
  1. Identify the costs of the newest inventory items.
  2. Multiply this cost by the number of units remaining in stock.

How do you determine the value of inventory? ›

Inventory values can be calculated by multiplying the number of items on hand with the unit price of the items. In compliance with GAAP, inventory values are to be calculated with the lower of the market price or cost to the company.

How to record inventory using FIFO? ›

The FIFO method records the first items purchased as the items that were sold, and the last items purchased are the ones listed as inventory on hand.
  1. Record the amount of inventory on hand at the beginning of the period. ...
  2. Record the amount and dates of inventory purchased, as well as the price of each shipment.

How do you calculate inventory cost in FIFO method? ›

If you want to calculate the COGS using FIFO, follow the simple steps below: Determine the cost of your oldest inventory. Multiply the cost of your oldest inventory by the amount of inventory sold. The formula looks like this: COGS = Amount of goods sold x cost of inventory sold.

When using the FIFO method correctly? ›

Newer foods should be put at the back of the shelf behind older foods, leaving the oldest food in the most accessible place near the front of the shelf. This system makes it easy for food workers to find the oldest food and to use it first when that ingredient is needed.

What is the FIFO retail method of inventory valuation? ›

FIFO. The FIFO (or “First In, First Out”) method involves calculating inventory value based on the COGS (or “Cost of Goods Sold”) of your oldest inventory. FIFO assumes that the goods acquired first are also the first to be sold, and doesn't factor recent changes in costs into valuation.

What is an example of a FIFO method? ›

Grocery store stock is a common example of using FIFO practices in real life. A grocery store will usually try to sell their oldest products first so that they're sold before the expiration date. This helps keep inventory fresh and reduces inventory write-offs which increases business profitability.

How do you calculate the value of closing inventory? ›

The basic formula for calculating ending inventory is: Beginning inventory + net purchases – COGS = ending inventory. Your beginning inventory is the last period's ending inventory. The net purchases are the items you've bought and added to your inventory count.

How is the inventory and value under FIFO determined? ›

FIFO is calculated by adding the cost of the earliest inventory items sold. For example, if 10 units of inventory were sold, the price of the first ten items bought as inventory is added together. This equals the cost of goods sold. Depending on the valuation method chosen, the cost of these 10 items may differ.

How do you estimate inventory value? ›

To prepare the inventory value via the gross profit method: Calculate the cost of goods available for sale as the sum of the cost of beginning inventory and cost of net purchases. Determine the gross profit ratio. Gross profit ratio equals gross profit divided by sales.

What are the 4 ways to calculate inventory? ›

But the way inventory is valued for accounting purposes — and the subsequent impact on a company's financial statements — will vary by company and by what is being sold. Four valuation methods are typically used: first in, first out (FIFO), last in, first out (LIFO), weighted average cost and specific assigned value.

How do you calculate inventory value using LIFO? ›

Subtract the items you sold from the existing inventory. Start removing the last ones. Multiply the remaining ones (which are the ones you bought first) per their respective prices. Then, you have the ending inventory amount using LIFO.

How do you value inventory using cost method? ›

The Bottom Line

Average cost method is one of three inventory valuation methods. It assigns a cost to inventory items based on the total cost of goods purchased or produced in a period divided by the total number of items purchased or produced.

How do you calculate FIFO inventory turnover? ›

The inventory turnover ratio is a crucial metric for measuring business performance, and the method you use to value inventory (FIFO or LIFO) can significantly impact your ratio. The inventory turnover ratio is calculated by dividing the cost of goods sold by the average inventory.

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