An assumption that determines the order in which costs should flow out of a balance sheet account (e.g. Inventory, Investments, Treasury Stock) when the item is sold. For an illustration of the cost flow assumption, see Explanation of Inventory and Cost of Goods Sold.
Featured Review
"I was interested in getting my finances under control. I was advised to track my expenses but I had no background in accounting. I wanted to do proper record keeping and not just of expenses, but my wealth. I came across many tutorials online. The most comprehensive tutorials were those of AccountingCoach. After being able to quickly learn, I decided to go PRO to have access to additional learning tools. I love the quizzes, they help me determine if I truly understand the material. After 1 year, I know enough about accounting to manage my finances and grow my wealth. Going PRO is one of the best investments I've made. Thank you AccountingCoach!" - Alex L.
Join PRO or PRO Plus and Get Lifetime Access to Our Premium Materials
Read all 2,645 reviewsWe now offer 10 Certificates of Achievement for Introductory Accounting and Bookkeeping: