The management of Patel Co. is reevaluating the appropriateness of using its present inventory cost flow method, which is average-cost. They request your help in determining the results of operations for 2014 if either the FIFO method or the LIFO method had been used. For 2014, the accounting records show the following data.

Purchases were made quarterly as follows.

Operating expenses were $147,000, and the company’s income tax rate is 34%.

Instructions
(a) Prepare comparative condensed income statements for 2014 under FIFO and LIFO. (Show computations of ending inventory.)
(b) Answer the following questions for management.
(1) Which cost flow method (FIFO or LIFO) produces the more meaningful inventory amount for the balance sheet? Why?
(2) Which cost flow method (FIFO or LIFO) produces the more meaningful net income? Why?
(3) Which cost flow method (FIFO or LIFO) is more likely to approximate actual physical flow of the goods? Why?
(4) How much additional cash will be available for management under LIFO than under FIFO? Why?
(5) Will gross profit under the average-cost method be higher or lower than (i) FIFO and (ii) LIFO? (Note: It is not necessary to quantify youranswer.)

Transcribed Image Text:

Inventories Purchases and Sales Beginning (15,000 uts) $32,000 Ending (28,000 units) Total net sales (217,000 units) $865,000 Total cost of goods purchased (230,000 units) 600,000 Total Cost $144,000 125,000 135,000 196,000 600,000 Quarter Units 60,000 50,000 50,000 70,000 Unit Cost $2.40 2.50 2.70 8 230,000