Final answer:
The cash payments for merchandise total is calculated by adjusting the Cost of Goods Sold for changes in inventory and accounts payable. In this case, it is $62,962, which includes a decrease in inventory and an increase in accounts payable.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate cash payments for merchandise using the direct method of reporting cash flows from operating activities, we need to adjust the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) for changes in inventory and accounts payable.
The formula is:
COGS + Decrease in Inventory - Increase in Accounts Payable = Cash Payments for Merchandise
We are given:
- COGS = $55,778
- Beginning Inventory = $12,186
- Ending Inventory = $8,100
- Beginning Accounts Payable = $5,923
- Ending Accounts Payable = $3,825
First, we calculate the decrease in inventory:
Beginning Inventory - Ending Inventory = $12,186 - $8,100 = $4,086
Next, we calculate the increase in accounts payable:
Ending Accounts Payable - Beginning Accounts Payable = $3,825 - $5,923 = -$2,098
Now we can determine the cash payments for merchandise:
$55,778 + $4,086 - (-$2,098) = $62,962
Hence, the cash payments for merchandise total is $62,962.