Chapter 7, Problem 7R

Del Rio began Rio Enterprises on January 1 with 200 units of inventory. During the year, 500 additional units were purchased, 500 units were sold, and Del ended the year with 200 units. Del is very satisfied with his first year of business although the cost of replacing his inventory rose continually throughout the year. The 500 units sold for a total of $320,000 and the 500 units purchased to replace them cost $256,000, so his cash account has increased by $64,000. Del is concerned however because he has three obligations yet to meet: taxes, dividends, and his wife. Federal and state income taxes will take 40% of his income. His investors are to receive dividends equal to half of any income after taxes are paid. And finally, Del promised his wife a big trip to Hawaii if she let him quit his job as a professor and start his own business. He promised her heʼd “make at least $50,000 after taxes. That will give us $25,000 after paying off the investors.”

Del kept fairly good records during the year and knows the specific cost of each inventory unit sold. He has prepared the following table to summarize his purchases and sales.

Reset the purchase prices to their original values (cells C11 through C14). Suppose Del had purchased 250 units on November 20 rather than 150. Enter 250 in cell C14 and alter column G in the Data Section. Explain what happens to net income under each inventory cost flow assumption and why. Also, what “management” implications might this have for Del?