Determining the total cost of acquisitions for a specific period involves summing all invoices related to the inventory or goods acquired for resale. This calculation may include costs beyond the initial price, such as freight, insurance during transit, and any applicable taxes. For instance, if a business acquires $10,000 worth of inventory and incurs an additional $500 in freight charges, the acquisition amount is $10,500.
Accurately establishing the cost of acquired materials is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it directly impacts the calculation of cost of goods sold (COGS), a key figure in determining a business’s profitability. Understated acquisition costs can lead to an overstatement of net income, while overstated costs can have the opposite effect. Moreover, it is important for accurate inventory valuation on the balance sheet. Historically, various methods like FIFO, LIFO, and weighted average cost have been employed to account for the flow of these costs through the business.