The cost of goods sold (COGS) is one of the most important metrics in business. It tells you how much it costs to produce your product or service, and can be a helpful tool in pricing your products and services competitively. If you’re not sure how to calculate COGS, or you want to learn more about the topic, there are a few great courses you can take. In this blog post, we’ll share 7 of the best.
What is cost of goods sold?
In order to calculate the cost of goods sold, you will need to know the following information:
1. The cost of the raw materials used to produce the good
2. The cost of labor required to produce the good
3. The overhead costs associated with producing the good
Once you have all of this information, you can then use a formula to calculate the cost of goods sold. The most common formula is:
Cost of Goods Sold = (Raw Materials + Labor + Overhead) x Number of Units Sold
However, there are other methods that can be used to calculate the cost of goods sold. If you are unsure which method is best for your business, it is advisable to speak with an accountant or financial advisor.
The different methods of calculating cost of goods sold
1. The different methods of calculating cost of goods sold
There are two main methods used to calculate the cost of goods sold (COGS): the first in inventory method and the second is the direct write-off method.
The inventory method is generally used by businesses that resell products. This approach calculates the COGS by taking the beginning inventory, adding in any purchases made during the period, and subtracting the ending inventory. The ending inventory is what’s left on hand at the end of the period and it becomes the starting inventory for the next period.
The direct write-off method records expenses as they occur. So, if you sell a product for $100 and it costs you $40 to produce, your COGS would be $40. This approach is generally used by service companies since they don’t usually have an inventory of finished goods.
Both methods have their pros and cons, so you’ll need to decide which one makes the most sense for your business.
The advantages and disadvantages of each method
There are a few different methods for calculating the cost of goods sold (COGS). Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to understand all of your options before choosing the best one for your business.
1. The first method is called the specific identification method. This involves keeping track of the costs associated with each individual item that you sell. This is usually only feasible for businesses that sell a small number of high-priced items, such as jewelry or cars. The advantage of this method is that it provides the most accurate costing information. The downside is that it can be very time-consuming and expensive to track costs for each individual item.
2. The second method, called the average cost method, averages the costs of all the items that you sell over a period of time. This is a good option for businesses that sell a large number of lower-priced items, such as clothes or books. The advantage of this method is that it’s much simpler and less expensive than the specific identification method. The downside is that it can lead to some inaccuracies in your COGS calculation if your prices fluctuate significantly over time.
3. The third option is the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. This assumes that you sell your products in the order in which you acquired them. So, if you have 10 items in stock and sell five of them, the COGS for those five items would be based on
Which method is best for your business?
There are several methods for calculating the cost of goods sold (COGS), and the best method for your business will depend on a number of factors. The most common methods are the absorption costing method and the variable costing method.
The absorption costing method assigns all manufacturing costs (labor, materials, overhead) to the products produced. This is the most accurate way to calculate COGS, but it can be difficult to track all of the necessary data.
The variable costing method only assigns direct labor and direct materials costs to products. This method is less accurate than the absorption costing method, but it is easier to track and can be more helpful for decision-making.
Once you have considered these factors, you should Choose the calculation method that best suits your needs.
How to account for cost of goods sold in your financial statements
If you’re selling products, it’s important to know how to calculate your cost of goods sold (COGS). This figure represents the direct costs associated with producing the goods you sell, and it can have a big impact on your business’s profitability.
To calculate COGS, you’ll need to track the cost of materials, labor, and any other direct expenses associated with making your product. Once you have that information, you can use this formula:
COGS =Beginning Inventory + Purchases – Ending Inventory
Your beginning inventory is the value of the raw materials and finished goods on hand at the start of the period. To get your purchases figure, add up all of the invoices for merchandise purchased during the period. And your ending inventory is what’s left on hand at the end of the period.
Once you have all three numbers, plug them into the formula and calculate your COGS. This number should be reported on your income statement as a deduction from sales.
Conclusion
If you are serious about learning how to calculate cost of goods sold, then these seven courses are a great place to start. They will give you the foundation you need to understand the concept and apply it in your business. Remember, the goal is to always keep your costs low so that you can maximize your profits. With these courses under your belt, you will be well on your way to achieving that goal.
