Shamrock Company uses the gross profit method to estimate inventory for monthly reporting purposes. Presented below is information for the month of May.

Inventory, May 1 $ 161,900
Purchases (gross) 697,000
Freight-in 31,400
Sales revenue 924,000
Sales returns 73,200
Purchase discounts 12,100

Compute the estimated inventory at May 31, assuming that the gross profit is 40% of net sales

The estimated inventory at May 31 is $240,100

Explanation:

The gross profit is the difference between the sales revenue and the cost of good sold.

The gross profit percentage is the ratio of gross profit to net sales expressed as a percentage.

Net sales is the sales less returns and allowances. Similar to net sales is net purchases which is the gross purchase net the allowances and returns.

Net purchases = $697,000 - $12,100

= $684,900

Net sales = $924,000 - $73,200

= $850,800

Gross profit margin percent = gross profit/net sales

gross profit = 0.4 * $850,800

= $212,700

cost of goods sold = $850,800  - $212,700

= $638,100

The movement in the balance of inventory at the start and end of a period is as a result of sales and purchases. While sales reduces the balance in inventory, purchases increases the balance. This may be expressed mathematically as

Opening balance + purchases + freight inward - cost of goods sold = closing balance

$161,900 + $684,900  + $31,400 - $638,100  = Estimated ending inventory

Estimated ending inventory = $240,100

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