Course Outline
Join PRO

What is the effect on financial ratios when using LIFO instead of FIFO?

Author:
Harold Averkamp, CPA, MBA

Definition of Effect of LIFO Instead of FIFO

During periods of significantly increasing costs, the LIFO cost flow assumption instead of the FIFO cost flow assumption will have the following effect:

  • LIFO results in lower inventory costs on the balance sheet because the latest, higher costs were removed from inventory ahead of the older lower costs
  • LIFO means that the cost of goods sold on the income statement will contain the higher most recent costs
  • LIFO means that the gross profit, operating income, taxable income, income taxes paid, and retained earnings will be lower because of the higher cost of goods sold

Examples of Effect on Financial Ratios from LIFO Instead of FIFO

When there is significantly increasing costs, the following profitability ratios will be smaller under LIFO than FIFO:

The inventory turnover ratio will be greater when LIFO is used during periods of increasing costs. The reason is that the cost of goods sold will be higher and the inventory costs will be lower using LIFO instead of FIFO.

Join PRO to Track Progress
Must-Watch Video

Learn How to Advance Your Accounting and Bookkeeping Career

  • Perform better at your current job
  • Refresh your skills to re-enter the workforce
  • Pass your accounting class
  • Understand your small business finances
Watch the Video

Join PRO or PRO Plus and Get Lifetime Access to Our Premium Materials

Read all 2,645 reviews

Features

PRO

PRO Plus

Features
Lifetime Access (One-Time Fee)
Explanations
Quizzes
Q&A
Word Scrambles
Crosswords
Bookkeeping Video Training
Financial Statements Video Training
Flashcards
Visual Tutorials
Quick Tests
Quick Tests with Coaching
Cheat Sheets
Business Forms
All PDF Files
Progress Tracking
Earn Badges and Points
Certificate - Debits and Credits
Certificate - Adjusting Entries
Certificate - Financial Statements
Certificate - Balance Sheet
Certificate - Income Statement
Certificate - Cash Flow Statement
Certificate - Working Capital
Certificate - Financial Ratios
Certificate - Bank Reconciliation
Certificate - Payroll Accounting

About the Author

Harold Averkamp

For the past 52 years, Harold Averkamp (CPA, MBA) has worked as an accounting supervisor, manager, consultant, university instructor, and innovator in teaching accounting online. He is the sole author of all the materials on AccountingCoach.com.

Learn More About Harold

Certificates of
Achievement

Certificates of Achievement

We now offer 10 Certificates of Achievement for Introductory Accounting and Bookkeeping:

  • Debits and Credits
  • Adjusting Entries
  • Financial Statements
  • Balance Sheet
  • Income Statement
  • Cash Flow Statement
  • Working Capital and Liquidity
  • Financial Ratios
  • Bank Reconciliation
  • Payroll Accounting
Badges and Points
  • Work towards and earn 30 badges
  • Earn points as you work towards completing our course
View PRO Plus Features
Course Outline
Take the Tour Join Pro Upgrade to Pro Plus