Critical Thinking Question:

Merchandising companies invest large sums of money in inventory, having to account for the purchasing, selling, and costs. Most U.S. based companies or companies on U.S. exchanges have previously had to follow the GAAP standards. As IFRS has moved forward in many countries, these companies have to review if the GAAP or the IFRS standards should be used.

Your company has been following GAAP standards and is looking to expand to international markets. You have been using a LIFO cost of inventory system and have had several inventory items marked down under the lower-of-cost-or-market. You have been asked to present the pros and cons of converting to the IFRS standards, thus allowing your company to move to international markets. Explain how this change will affect the financial statements.