Which of the following can be used by interested parties to identify changes in corporate performance related to inventory costing methods?

• A. Employee satisfaction surveys
• B. Comparative financial statements
• C. Board meeting minutes
• D. Internal audit reports

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context of the question: The problem is asking about tools or documents that interested parties can use to identify changes in corporate performance related to inventory costing methods.
2. Recognize that inventory costing methods (e.g., FIFO, LIFO, Weighted Average) directly impact financial statements, particularly the cost of goods sold (COGS), net income, and inventory valuation.
3. Evaluate the options provided: Employee satisfaction surveys, board meeting minutes, and internal audit reports are not directly related to analyzing financial performance or inventory costing methods. Comparative financial statements, however, provide a clear view of changes in financial metrics over time.
4. Explain why comparative financial statements are the correct answer: These statements allow interested parties to compare financial data across different periods, highlighting the impact of changes in inventory costing methods on key financial figures such as net income, inventory value, and COGS.
5. Conclude that comparative financial statements are the most relevant tool for identifying changes in corporate performance related to inventory costing methods, as they provide a direct and quantitative analysis of financial data.