Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of a schedule of cost of goods manufactured in a manufacturing company?

• A. It summarizes the total production costs incurred and determines the cost of goods completed during the period.
• B. It lists all inventory purchases made during the period, regardless of production.
• C. It records only the direct materials used in production.
• D. It calculates the ending inventory using the FIFO or LIFO method.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of the schedule of cost of goods manufactured: This schedule is a detailed report used by manufacturing companies to summarize the total production costs incurred during a specific period and determine the cost of goods completed (finished goods) during that period.
2. Break down the components of the schedule: The schedule typically includes direct materials used, direct labor costs, and manufacturing overhead. These are added together to calculate the total manufacturing costs.
3. Account for work-in-process inventory: The schedule adjusts for the beginning and ending balances of work-in-process inventory to determine the cost of goods manufactured. This ensures that only the costs associated with completed goods are included.
4. Clarify the purpose: The primary purpose of the schedule is to provide a clear summary of production costs and the cost of goods completed, which is essential for preparing financial statements and analyzing production efficiency.
5. Eliminate incorrect options: The schedule does not list all inventory purchases, record only direct materials, or calculate ending inventory using FIFO or LIFO methods. These tasks are handled by other accounting processes or reports.