thank you for amazing lectures but it seems I have a doubt in the example 5 with the Avco method.
As you explained the the total of remaining inventory is calculated with the average cost from previous total of units. However, in the Kaplan study text they explained Avco as the remaining inventory is calculated by less the cost of recent sale at average cost from the previously held total cost.
Both the approaches give different figures like lets see the ‘example 5 in your lecture’ first point of sale with your method and then Kaplan:
Your method: – Total inventory till recent purchase i.e as of 10th Nov = opening inv(300 @ $12) + (400 @ $12.50) = 700 units with total cost of $ 8600 – Less 500 units sold on 14th Nov = 200 units closing inventory( assuming accounting period ends here) total cost @ avco $12.29 is “$2458”
Kaplan study text approach – Total inventory as of 10th Nov = same as above 700 units giving total cost $ 8600 however the next step closing inventory is slightly different. – Less cost of sale on 14th Nov of 500 units with Avco from the total cost rather than evaluating the balance units total cost i.e 500 units @ $12.29 = $ 6145 less total cost $ 8600 giving the total closing inventory of 200 units valued “$ 2455″(8600-6145)
Both method give of separate answers relating to valuation of closing inventory. I understand the reason is calculation method being slightly different, but my doubt is which method should give the accurate answer as this will lead to confusion and can not spend time doing both ways.
The difference is purely due to rounding the unit cost to the nearest cent. In both real life and in exams the difference is irrelevant and nobody is worried about just $3. In exams, the way the ‘problem’ is avoided is either by the question making sure that things divide exactly (so no rounding problem) or by asking for answers to (for example) the nearest $10.
I would like to tell you this, that you are an amazing teacher. Open tuition and you have done something for me that I can’t appreciate or thank enough.
I dint know at first that being from engineering background and not able to get into the field I studied for and then deciding to do ACCA without any classes from paid institutions, as I can’t afford them was a right choice or not. After studying rigourously since December and January with help of your notes and lectures, I attempted Financial Accounting as my first paper and guess what I scored 84%. This has motivated me and also made me sure that I should be doing ACCA after all it’s science and I’m good with numbers and science.
So from all my heart, I thank you and every faculty that has put so much effort in this open institution. I respect you and every member in your team for such an amazing job, in fact I love you all (apologies for the informal language).
Unit costs are common if you sell high value items, like “aston martin” cars, for example. Then dealer knows for sure how much he/she had paid car manufacturer for each and every unit in stock. For low value items, like pencils, no point to keep such records.
While I was solving inventory questions from Kaplan exam kit, I found out slightly different Average cost method over there. Question was to compare inventory value using “FIFO” with “periodic weighted average” method. If I use their Average cost method for Example 5 then it will be like
=>300+400+400+400 = 1500 units =>(300×12)+(400×12.50)+(400×14)+(400×15) = 20200 =>20200/1500 = $13.46 =>So value of the closing inventory = 500 x 13.46 = 6733.33
Please could you explain which method should be used in exams ?
The periodic weighted average is the average cost of all purchases bought during the period. It is not the method to use in the exam unless specifically asked for, which is not likely.
Hello Sir, shouldn’t we use the criteria of 10 Nov. and 20 Nov. to use the FIFO method? This is because they were stocked first. The 25th and 20th standards are rather LIFO-like.
By all means do that if you want and you will end up with the same answer. If it is FIFO then we are always selling the oldest first, and therefore the inventory remaining must always be the most recent purchases. It is nothing like LIFO (which is not allowed in financial accounting anyway).
I need to ask that suppose if we have 500 closing inventory in which 300 bought at 28th Oct $15 each and 200 bought at 30th Oct $14 each. When we get the most recent inventory cost, don’t you think that due to valuing inventory at low cost the balance sheet will be gone understated and the due to not take actual prices may be SPL makes low profit?
Hello sir Is it possible using the same method in solving FIFO and AVCO question that we have learnt in MA in solving FA, FIFO and AVCO question and being correct?
Just a quick question regarding FIFO as I do not undarstand why units bought on the 25th & 20th November have been used rather than the ones bought first i.e on the 10th & 20th of November.
Since the assumption is that those purchased first are also sold first, the remaining units in inventory will always be the most recently purchased, i.e. units will be valued at the cost of the latest purchase/s since these will be the unsold units.
I thought that FIFO means first in first out and units purchased first i.e on the 10th November will be sold first but it seems that in the above exapmle units last bought i.e 25th November were sold first but this method is called LIFO as far as I remember.
maxcwsays
Hi Anya,
FIFO does mean first in, first out. So when an order is received and units are sold, the ‘first in’ are sold, leaving the ‘last in’ in inventory. Remember the purpose of the exercise is to value inventory remaining, not the units sold.
Since the ‘last in’ are not being sold, they are valued as the remaining inventory.
caali94 says
Hello,
thank you for amazing lectures but it seems I have a doubt in the example 5 with the Avco method.
As you explained the the total of remaining inventory is calculated with the average cost from previous total of units.
However, in the Kaplan study text they explained Avco as the remaining inventory is calculated by less the cost of recent sale at average cost from the previously held total cost.
Both the approaches give different figures like lets see the ‘example 5 in your lecture’ first point of sale with your method and then Kaplan:
Your method:
– Total inventory till recent purchase i.e as of 10th Nov = opening inv(300 @ $12) + (400 @ $12.50) = 700 units with total cost of $ 8600
– Less 500 units sold on 14th Nov = 200 units closing inventory( assuming accounting period ends here) total cost @ avco $12.29 is “$2458”
Kaplan study text approach
– Total inventory as of 10th Nov = same as above 700 units giving total cost $ 8600 however the next step closing inventory is slightly different.
– Less cost of sale on 14th Nov of 500 units with Avco from the total cost rather than evaluating the balance units total cost i.e
500 units @ $12.29 = $ 6145 less total cost $ 8600 giving the total closing inventory of 200 units valued “$ 2455″(8600-6145)
Both method give of separate answers relating to valuation of closing inventory. I understand the reason is calculation method being slightly different, but my doubt is which method should give the accurate answer as this will lead to confusion and can not spend time doing both ways.
John Moffat says
The difference is purely due to rounding the unit cost to the nearest cent. In both real life and in exams the difference is irrelevant and nobody is worried about just $3. In exams, the way the ‘problem’ is avoided is either by the question making sure that things divide exactly (so no rounding problem) or by asking for answers to (for example) the nearest $10.
caali94 says
Thank you so much Professor, I take it that also means either way of calculation does not make a difference then. You are the best!!
John Moffat says
You are welcome (and it doesn’t matter which way you calculate it) 🙂
caali94 says
Dear Professor Moffat,
I would like to tell you this, that you are an amazing teacher.
Open tuition and you have done something for me that I can’t appreciate or thank enough.
I dint know at first that being from engineering background and not able to get into the field I studied for and then deciding to do ACCA without any classes from paid institutions, as I can’t afford them was a right choice or not. After studying rigourously since December and January with help of your notes and lectures, I attempted Financial Accounting as my first paper and guess what I scored 84%. This has motivated me and also made me sure that I should be doing ACCA after all it’s science and I’m good with numbers and science.
So from all my heart, I thank you and every faculty that has put so much effort in this open institution. I respect you
and every member in your team for such an amazing job, in fact I love you all (apologies for the informal language).
Sincerely,
Ali
gmpo12 says
Professor Moffat
on 14th we sold 500
and on 21st we sold 400
does this mean that cost of these items sold on
14th was 500 * 12.29$
21st was 400 * 13.43$
Is that correct?
Sam6365 says
No, we would be using the selling price of $20 for 14th,21st and 28th. Focus on the balancing part i.e, purchase minus sale.
gmpo12 says
Unit costs are common if you sell high value items, like “aston martin” cars, for example. Then dealer knows for sure how much he/she had paid car manufacturer for each and every unit in stock. For low value items, like pencils, no point to keep such records.
mnabeelhussain says
Hello Sir,
While I was solving inventory questions from Kaplan exam kit, I found out slightly different Average cost method over there.
Question was to compare inventory value using “FIFO” with “periodic weighted average” method.
If I use their Average cost method for Example 5 then it will be like
=>300+400+400+400 = 1500 units
=>(300×12)+(400×12.50)+(400×14)+(400×15) = 20200
=>20200/1500 = $13.46
=>So value of the closing inventory = 500 x 13.46 = 6733.33
Please could you explain which method should be used in exams ?
Many thanks,
John Moffat says
The periodic weighted average is the average cost of all purchases bought during the period. It is not the method to use in the exam unless specifically asked for, which is not likely.
mnabeelhussain says
Thank you
MONOstero says
Hello Sir, shouldn’t we use the criteria of 10 Nov. and 20 Nov. to use the FIFO method? This is because they were stocked first. The 25th and 20th standards are rather LIFO-like.
John Moffat says
By all means do that if you want and you will end up with the same answer. If it is FIFO then we are always selling the oldest first, and therefore the inventory remaining must always be the most recent purchases. It is nothing like LIFO (which is not allowed in financial accounting anyway).
mohsin17222 says
Hello John,
I need to ask that suppose if we have 500 closing inventory in which 300 bought at 28th Oct $15 each and 200 bought at 30th Oct $14 each. When we get the most recent inventory cost, don’t you think that due to valuing inventory at low cost the balance sheet will be gone understated and the due to not take actual prices may be SPL makes low profit?
tkhue3296 says
Cleared ,
Thanks Sir .
hilamu says
Hello sir
Is it possible using the same method in solving FIFO and AVCO question that we have learnt in MA in solving FA, FIFO and AVCO question and being correct?
nkasiobi says
Hi Hilamu,
The FIFO & AVCO methods are the same whether in FA or MA. I’m not sure there is any difference as long as you get the answer right.
anya88 says
Hi John,
Just a quick question regarding FIFO as I do not undarstand why units bought on the 25th & 20th November have been used rather than the ones bought first i.e on the 10th & 20th of November.
Can you please advise?
Many thanks
maxcw says
Hi Anya,
Since the assumption is that those purchased first are also sold first, the remaining units in inventory will always be the most recently purchased, i.e. units will be valued at the cost of the latest purchase/s since these will be the unsold units.
anya88 says
Hi Maxcw,
I thought that FIFO means first in first out and units purchased first i.e on the 10th November will be sold first but it seems that in the above exapmle units last bought i.e 25th November were sold first but this method is called LIFO as far as I remember.
maxcw says
Hi Anya,
FIFO does mean first in, first out. So when an order is received and units are sold, the ‘first in’ are sold, leaving the ‘last in’ in inventory. Remember the purpose of the exercise is to value inventory remaining, not the units sold.
Since the ‘last in’ are not being sold, they are valued as the remaining inventory.
Camille says
Hi sir,
There is an error at the end of the calculation. 600 – 100 is 500 and the $8,686 is divided by the 500.