Merchandise inventory is classified on the balance sheet as a:

• A. Current liability
• B. Intangible asset
• C. Current asset
• D. Long-term investment

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the nature of merchandise inventory: it consists of goods a company holds for sale in the ordinary course of business.
2. Recall the classification criteria on the balance sheet: assets and liabilities are classified as current or long-term based on their expected conversion to cash or settlement within one year or the operating cycle, whichever is longer.
3. Since merchandise inventory is expected to be sold and converted into cash within the normal operating cycle, it is classified as a current asset.
4. Differentiate merchandise inventory from liabilities and intangible assets: liabilities represent obligations, and intangible assets are non-physical assets like patents or trademarks.
5. Therefore, merchandise inventory is correctly classified as a current asset on the balance sheet.