

Typically, it’s based on physical cycle counts and is done in accordance with the company’s inventory-valuation method of choice. Determine the ending inventory balance.Determine the cost of purchases of raw materials that were made during the period, taking into account freight in, trade and cash discounts.Identify the beginning inventory of raw materials, then work in process and finished goods, based on the prior year’s ending inventory amounts.But these four steps are something all managers should have an appreciation for: Typically, these are tackled by accounting and tax experts, often with the help of powerful software. (Beginning Inventory + Purchases) – Ending Inventory = COGS 4 Steps to Calculate COGSĭiving a level deeper into the COGS formula requires five steps. Here’s the general formula for calculating cost of goods sold: However, layers of complexity underlie each component, requiring several steps to determine their value. On the surface, it’s simple, comprising just three variables: beginning inventory, purchases and ending inventory.
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How to Calculate the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)Įvery accountant worth her spreadsheet should be able to rattle off the basic COGS formula in her sleep.

Instead, these are reflected in the inventory on hand at the end of the period. Logically, all nonoperating costs, such as interest and capital expenditures, are excluded from COGS, too.Īlso excluded from COGS are the costs for products that remain unsold at the end of a given period. On the flip side, items that are excluded from COGS include selling, general and administrative expenses such as distribution costs to customers, office rents, advertising, accounting and legal fees, and management salaries. Most of these are the variable costs of making the product-for example, materials and labor-while others can be fixed costs, such as factory overhead.Ī good litmus test to determine whether something should be included in COGS is to ask: Would the cost exist if no products were produced? If the answer is no, then the cost is likely included in COGS.Įxamples of costs generally considered COGS include:


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