Steele Corporation purchased a significant amount of raw materials inventory for a new product that it is manufacturing. Steele uses the lower-of-average-cost-or-net realizable value (LCNRV) rule for these raw materials. The net realizable value of the raw materials is below the original cost.
In the last 2 years, each purchase has been at a lower price than the previous purchase, and the ending inventory quantity for each period has been higher than the beginning inventory quantity for that period.
Instructions
(a) (1) At which amount should Steele's raw materials inventory be reported on the balance sheet? Why?
(2) In general, why is the LCNRV rule used to report inventory?
(b) What would have been the effect on ending inventory and cost of goods sold had Steele used the LIFO inventory method instead of the average-cost inventory method for the raw materials? Why?