Glossary: M06 Inventories

TermDefinition
InventoryGoods held for sale, in production, or as materials/supplies to be consumed in production
FIFO (First-In, First-Out)Cost flow assumption assigning oldest costs to COGS first
LIFO (Last-In, First-Out)Cost flow assumption assigning most recent costs to COGS first; US GAAP only
Weighted Average Cost (WAC)Cost flow method using average cost per unit for the period
Specific IdentificationMethod tracking actual cost of each individual item sold
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)Beginning inventory plus purchases minus ending inventory
Net Realizable Value (NRV)Estimated selling price minus costs to complete and sell
Lower of Cost or NRVIFRS valuation rule: inventory carried at lower of cost or NRV
Lower of Cost or MarketUS GAAP valuation rule using replacement cost bounded by NRV ceiling and NRV minus normal margin floor
LIFO ReserveDifference between inventory valued at FIFO and inventory valued at LIFO
LIFO LiquidationReduction in LIFO inventory layers when units sold exceed units purchased; creates unsustainable profit boost
LIFO Conformity RuleUS tax rule requiring LIFO for tax if used for financial reporting
Inventory TurnoverCOGS divided by average inventory; measures efficiency of inventory management
Days of Inventory on Hand (DOH)365 divided by inventory turnover; average days to sell inventory
Inventory Write-downReduction in carrying value when cost exceeds NRV or market
Write-down ReversalIFRS allows reversal of prior inventory write-downs (up to original cost); US GAAP does not
Raw MaterialsGoods purchased for use in manufacturing
Work-in-Progress (WIP)Partially completed goods in the production process
Finished GoodsCompleted products ready for sale
Periodic Inventory SystemInventory and COGS determined at end of period by physical count