The management of Gilbert Co. is reevaluating the appropriateness of using its present inventory cost flow method, which is average cost. They request your help in determining the results of operations for 2006 if either the FIFO method or the LIFO method had been used.

For 2006, the accounting records show the following data.

Purchases were made quarterly as follows.

Operating expenses were $147,000. and the company's income tax rate is 34%.
Instructions

(a) Prepare comparative condensed income statements for 2006 under FIFO and LIFO. (Show computations of ending inventory.)

(b) Answer the following questions for management in the form of a business letter.
(1) Which cost flow method (FIFO or LIFO) produces the more meaningful inventory amount for the balance sheet? Why?
(2) Which cost flow method (FIFO or LIFO) produces the more meaningful net income?
Why?
(3) Which cost flow method (FIFO or LIFO) is more likely to approximate actual physical flow of the goods? Why?
(4) How much additional cash will be available for management under LIFO than under FIFO? Why'.'
(5) Will gross profit under the average cost method be higher or lower than

(a) FIFO and

(b) LIFO'.' (Note: It is not necessary to quantify your answer.)

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Inventories Beginning (15,000 units) Ending (20,000 units) $32,000 Purchases and Sales Total net sales (225,000 units) Total cost of goods purchased (230,000 units) $865,000 595,000