Question

On March 31, Oscar Corp. changes from the LIFO to the FIFO method. Its financial statement notes indicate that beginning inventory would have been $50,000 higher if it had utilized FIFO during prior years. Oscar's journal entry should include a

Answer 1

The journal entry should be:

Dr Merchandise Inventory account 50,000

Cr Retained Earnings account 50,000

Step-by-step explanation:

Since Oscar's merchandise inventory was understated by $50,000 because of the previous inventory method (LIFO), when the new method, FIFO, starts to be used then the merchandise inventory must increase by $50,000 as well as retained earnings.

Merchandise inventory is an asset account and it increases, therefore it should be debited.

Retained earnings is an equity account and it increases, therefore it should be credited.