Why are inventories valued at the lower-of-cost-or-net realizable value (LCNRV)? What are the arguments against the use of the LCNRV method of valuing inventories?
The usual basis for carrying forward the inventory to the next period is cost. Departure from cost is required; however, when the utility of the goods included in the inventory is less than their cost, this loss in utility should be recognized as a loss of the current period, the period in which it occurred. Furthermore, the subsequent period should be charged for goods at an amount that measures their expected contribution to that period. In other words, the subsequent period should be charged for inventory at prices no higher than those which would have been paid if the inventory had been obtained at the beginning of that period. (Historically, the lower-of-cost-and-net realizable value rule arose from the accounting convention of providing for all losses and anticipating no profits.)
In accordance with the foregoing reasoning, the rule of "cost and net realizable value, whichever is lower" may be applied to each item in the inventory, to the total of the components of each major category, or to the total of the inventory, whichever most clearly reflects operations. The rule is usually applied to each item, but if individual inventory items enter into the same category or categories of finished product, alternative procedures are suitable.
The arguments against the use of the lower-of-cost-and-net realizable value method of valuing inventories include the following:
(a) The method requires the reporting of estimated losses (all or a portion of the excess of actual cost over net realizable value) as definite income charges even though the losses have not been sustained to date and may never be sustained. Under a consistent criterion of realization, a drop in net realizable value below original cost is no more a sustained loss than a rise above cost is a realized gain.
(b) A price shrinkage is brought into the income statement before the loss has been sustained through sale. Furthermore, if the charge for the inventory write-downs is not made to a special loss account, the cost figure for goods actually sold is inflated by the amount of the estimated shrinkage in price of the unsold goods. The title "Cost of Goods Sold" therefore becomes a misnomer.
(c) The method is inconsistent in application in a given year because it recognizes the propriety of implied price reductions but gives no recognition in the accounts or financial statements to the effect of the price increases.
(d) The method is also inconsistent in application in one year as opposed to another because the inventory of a company may be valued at cost in one year and at net realizable value in the next year.
(e) The lower-of-cost-and-net realizable value method values the inventory in the balance sheet conservatively. Its effect on the income statement, however, may be the opposite. Although the income statement for the year in which the unsustained loss is taken is stated conservatively, the net income on the income statement of the subsequent period may be distorted if the expected reductions in sales prices do not materialize.
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Accounting
- Distinguish between gross profit as a percentage of cost and gross profit as a percentage of sales price.
- What are the major uses of the gross profit method?
- Under what circumstances is relative sales value an appropriate basis for determining the price assigned to inventory?
- What approaches may be employed in applying the LCNRV procedure? Which approach is normally used and why?
- Why will the traditional LIFO inventory costing method and the dollar-value LIFO inventory costing method produce different inventory valuations if the composition of the inventory base changes?
- What advantage does the dollar-value method have over the specific goods approach of LIFO inventory valuation?
- What is the dollar-value method of LIFO inventory valuation?
- FIFO, average-cost, and LIFO methods are often used instead of specific identification for inventory valuation purposes. Compare these methods with the specific identification method, discussing the theoretical propriety of each method in the determination of income and asset valuation.
- Distinguish between product costs and period costs as they relate to inventory.
- Define "cost" as applied to the valuation of inventories.
- Where, if at all, should the following items be classified on a balance sheet?
- What is a repurchase agreement (product financing) arrangement? How should a product repurchase agreement be reported in the financial statements?
- What is the difference between a perpetual inventory and a physical inventory? If a company maintains a perpetual inventory, should its physical inventory at any date be equal to the amount indicated by the perpetual inventory records? Why?
- In what ways are the inventory accounts of a retailing company different from those of a manufacturing company?
- What is the fair value option? Where do companies that elect the fair value option report unrealized holding gains and losses?
- Indicate how the percentage-of-receivables method, based on an ageing schedule, accomplishes the objectives of the allowance method of accounting for bad debts. What other methods, besides an ageing analysis, can be used for estimating uncollectible accounts?
- What is the theoretical justification of the allowance method as contrasted with the direct write-off method of accounting for bad debts?
- What are the basic problems that occur in the valuation of accounts receivable?
- What are two methods of recording accounts receivable transactions when a cash discount situation is involved? Which is more theoretically correct? Which is used in practice more of the time? Why?
- What are the reasons that a company gives trade discounts? Why are trade discounts not recorded in accounts like cash discounts?
- What may be included under the heading of "cash"?
- State the generally accepted accounting principle applicable to balance sheet valuation of each of the following assets.
- Where should the following items be shown on the balance sheet, if shown at all?
- In what section of the balance sheet should the following items appear, and what balance sheet terminology would you use?
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