Answer
(a) Because inventories are assets owned at the specific point in time for which a statement of financial position is prepared, they must be included in order that the owners’ financial position will be presented fairly.
(b) Beginning and ending inventories are included in the computation of net income only for the purpose of arriving at the cost of goods sold during the period of time covered by the statement. Goods included in the beginning inventory which are no longer on hand are expired costs to be matched against revenues earned during the period. Goods included in the ending inventory are unexpired costs to be carried forward to a future period, rather than expensed.
Work Step by Step
Inventories are unexpired costs and represent future benefits to the owner.
