Financial Accounting–Inventory & Merchandising Transactions

Dive deep into the world of inventory accounting with this comprehensive course focused on merchandising transactions and cost flow assumptions. This course is perfect for anyone seeking a thorough understanding of how to handle inventory costs, cost flows, and various related transactions.

Starting with the essentials, we will examine the purchase and sale of inventory, including important associated topics like sales discounts, purchase discounts, sales return, and allowances. You will learn how to account for shrinkage and how to perform a cost of goods sold (COGS) calculation, both crucial aspects of inventory management.

We will then broaden your knowledge of different inventory systems. By comparing and contrasting perpetual and periodic inventory systems, you will gain insights into the benefits and drawbacks of each. Understanding when to use which system in practice is a key skill this course aims to instill.

Delving deeper, we’ll explore inventory costs and cost flows. You’ll discover what’s included in the inventory cost and how to account for various inventory-associated costs, such as freight, insurance, and discounts. This knowledge will equip you to accurately represent inventory value in financial reporting.

A critical part of this course is dedicated to inventory flow assumptions. Here, we study specific identification, first in first out (FIFO), last in first out (LIFO), and weighted average methods. These methods will be examined in the context of both perpetual and periodic inventory systems, giving you a comprehensive understanding of their application.

The course employs a variety of engaging materials to aid learning:

1. Downloadable PDF Files – These serve as handy offline references.

2. Excel Practice Files – Preformatted files for honing your Excel skills and practicing adjustments.

3. Multiple Choice Practice Questions – Perfect for enhancing test-taking abilities and understanding course material.

4. Short Calculation Practice Questions – These focus on reducing complex problems to simpler calculations.

5. Discussion Questions – Offering the chance to explore topics with your instructor and fellow students.

Our instructor, a certified public accountant (CPA) and chartered global management accountant (CGMA) with a master’s in taxation, brings a wealth of practical and teaching experience. Having dealt with a multitude of technical accounting issues and taught numerous accounting classes, he knows how to help students learn best. His experience in curriculum development ensures the course is logically structured, making complex topics and software accessible.

By the end of this course, you’ll have a robust understanding of merchandising transactions, inventory tracking methods, inventory costs, and much more. Our comprehensive problems provide practical application, simulating real-world accounting scenarios. This course is an invaluable resource for anyone keen to master inventory accounting.