Question

The following inventory valuation errors have been discovered for Knox Corporation:
The 2015 year-end inventory was overstated by $23,000
The 2016 year-end inventory was understated by $61,000
The 2017 year-end inventory was understated by $17,000
The reported income before taxes for Knox was:
Year: Income before Taxes:
2015 $138,000
2016 $254,000
2017 $168,000
Required:
Compute what income before taxes for 2015, 2016, and 2017 should have been after correcting for the errors.

Answer 1

Answer:

Income +/- inventory adjustment

2015:   138,000 - 23,000 = 115,000

2016:  254,000 + 61,000 = 315,000

2017:   168,000 + 17,000 = 185,000

Explanation:

Inventory Identity:

Beginning + Purchases = Ending + COGS

As the mistake is on the right side it compensates by the other component which is COGS

When the inventory is overstated this means COGS is understated.

We didn't record the cost of good sold thefore our gross profit is higher making the net income higher.

When the inventory is understated this means COGS is overstated.

We record more cost of goods sold thefore our gross profit is lower making the net income fewer as well.