1. Determine the Direct Costs
The first step in calculating COGS is to determine the direct costs of the products sold. Direct costs are the expenses that are directly associated with producing the products. They include the cost of raw materials, labor, and any manufacturing overhead expenses, such as rent or utilities. To determine the total direct costs, you need to add up all the costs associated with producing the products. This is known as the cost of goods manufactured (COGM).
2. Add the Beginning Inventory
The next step is to add the beginning inventory to the COGM. Beginning inventory refers to the value of the products that were in the inventory at the beginning of the accounting period. To calculate the beginning inventory, you need to multiply the number of units in the inventory by the unit cost.
3. Subtract the Ending Inventory
After adding the beginning inventory, the next step is to subtract the ending inventory. Ending inventory refers to the value of the products that are left in the inventory at the end of the accounting period. To calculate the ending inventory, you need to multiply the number of units in the inventory by the unit cost.
4. Calculate the COGS
Once you have subtracted the ending inventory, you can calculate the COGS. COGS is the total cost of the products that were sold during the accounting period. To calculate the COGS, you need to subtract the ending inventory from the sum of the beginning inventory and the COGM.
COGS = Beginning Inventory + COGM – Ending Inventory
5. Understand the Impact of COGS
Understanding COGS is crucial because it directly impacts gross profit. Gross profit is the difference between the revenue generated by the products and the COGS. To calculate gross profit, you need to subtract the COGS from the revenue generated by the products.
Gross Profit = Revenue Generated by Products – COGS
Gross profit is an important financial metric because it indicates the profitability of the products sold by the business. A higher gross profit indicates that the products are being sold at a higher price than the cost incurred, resulting in increased profitability.
In conclusion, calculating the cost of goods sold is a crucial process that every business should be aware of. COGS directly impacts the gross profit, which is an important financial metric for businesses. Understanding COGS can help businesses make better decisions when it comes to pricing their products, as well as identifying opportunities for cost savings in the production process. By following the steps outlined above, any business can easily calculate its COGS and understand its impact on the financial performance of the business.