Accounting for 
Merchandise Inventory
Chapter 6
 
Perpetual systems maintain a running record
to show the inventory on hand at all times.
Periodic systems do not keep a
continuous record of inventory on hand.
Inventory Accounting Systems
 
Compute and record journal 
entries for perpetual 
inventory amounts under 
FIFO, LIFO, and average 
cost.
Objectives 1 and 2
 
Debit Cash or Accounts Receivable
Credit Sales Revenue
Debit Cost of Goods Sold
Credit Inventory
Perpetual System
Debit Inventory
 Credit Cash or Accounts Payable
 
Cost of inventory on hand = Quantity × unit cost 
Computing the Cost of Inventory
•
Physical count is made at least once a year, 
even with a perpetual system.
•
Consigned goods are excluded. 
Perpetual System Examples
•
Assume the following:
Nov. 1 Beg. Inventory 1 @ $40
 15 Purchase 6 @ $45
 15 Sale 4
 26 Purchase 7 @ $50
 30 Sale 8 
Perpetual System FIFO Example
•
Many companies keep their perpetual 
inventory records in quantities only.
•
Other companies keep perpetual records in 
both quantities and dollar cost. 
Perpetual FIFO
•
Consistent with the physical flow of 
inventory
•
Oldest inventory sold first
•
Most recent purchases make-up ending 
inventory 
Perpetual System FIFO Example
Item: Ski Parka
 Received Sold Balance on Hand
 Unit Unit Unit
Date Qty. Cost Total Qty. Cost Total Qty. Cost Total
Nov. 1 1 $40 $40
 5 6 $45 $270 1 40 40
 6 45 270 
 15 1 40 40
 3 45 135 3 45 135
Columbia Sportswear 
Perpetual System FIFO Example
Item: Ski Parka
 Received Sold Balance on Hand
 Unit Unit Unit
Date Qty. Cost Total Qty. Cost Total Qty. Cost Total
Nov. 26 7 $50 $ 350 3 $45 $135
 7 50 350
 30 3 $45 135 
 5 50 250 2 50 100
Totals 13 $ 620 12 $560 2 $100
Columbia Sportswear 
Perpetual System FIFO Example
 Nov. 5 Inventory………….…270
Accounts Payable……270
 15 Accounts receivable…320
Sales Revenue……….350
15 Cost of Goods Sold…175
Inventory…………….175 
Perpetual System FIFO Example
 Nov. 26 Inventory………….…350
Accounts Payable……350
 30 Accounts receivable…640
Sales Revenue……….640
 30 Cost of Goods Sold…385
Inventory…………….385 
Perpetual LIFO
•
Is not consistent with the physical flow of 
inventory
•
Oldest inventory costs make-up ending 
inventory
•
Cost of goods sold is assumed to be from 
the most recent purchases 
Perpetual System LIFO Example
Item: Ski Parka
 Received Sold Balance on Hand
 Unit Unit Unit
Date Qty. Cost Total Qty. Cost Total Qty. Cost Total
Nov. 1 1 $40 $40
 5 6 $45 $270 1 40 40
 6 45 270
 15 4 45 180 1 40 40
 2 45 90
Columbia 
Sportswear 
Perpetual System LIFO Example
Item: Ski Parka
 Received Sold Balance on Hand
 Unit Unit Unit
Date Qty. Cost Total Qty. Cost Total Qty. Cost Total
Nov. 26 7 $50 $ 350 1 $40 $135
 2 45 90
 7 50 350
 30 7 $50 350 
 1 45 45 1 40 40
 1 45 45 
Totals 13 $ 620 12 $575 2 90
Columbia Sportswear 
Perpetual System LIFO Example
 Nov. 5 Inventory………….…270
Accounts Payable……270
 15 Accounts receivable…320
Sales Revenue……….350
15 Cost of Goods Sold…180
Inventory…………….180 
Perpetual System LIFO Example
 Nov. 26 Inventory………….…350
Accounts Payable……350 
 30 Accounts receivable…640
Sales Revenue……….640
 30 Cost of Goods Sold…395
Inventory…………….395 
Perpetual System Average Cost 
•
Ending inventory and cost of goods sold 
are based on the average cost per unit.
•
A new average cost per unit is computed 
after each purchase. 
Perpetual System Average Cost 
Example
Item: Ski Parka
 Received Sold Balance on Hand
 Unit Unit Unit
Date Qty. Cost Total Qty. Cost Total Qty. Cost Total
Nov. 1 1 40.00 40
 5 6 $45 $270 7 44.29 310 
 15 4 44.29 177 3 44.29 133
Columbia Sportswear 
Perpetual System Average Cost 
Example
Item: Ski Parka
 Received Sold Balance on Hand
 Unit Unit Unit
Date Qty. Cost Total Qty. Cost Total Qty. Cost Total
Nov. 26 7 $50 $ 350 10 48.30 483 
 30 8 48.30 386 2 48.30 97 
Totals 13 $ 620 12 $563 2 $ 97
Columbia Sportswear 
Perpetual System Average Cost 
Example
 Nov. 5 Inventory………….…270
Accounts Payable……270
 15 Accounts receivable…320
Sales Revenue……….350
15 Cost of Goods Sold…177
Inventory…………….177 
Perpetual System Average Cost 
Example
 Nov.26 Inventory………….…350
Accounts Payable……350
 30 Accounts receivable…640
Sales Revenue……….640
30 Cost of Goods Sold…386
Inventory…………….386 
Objective 3
Compare the effects of FIFO, LIFO, 
and average cost 
Ending Inventory
FIFO $100.00
LIFO $ 90.00
Weighted-average $ 97.00
Comparison of Methods 
Cost of Goods Sold
FIFO $560.00
LIFO $575.00
Weighted-average $563.00
Comparison of Methods