Specific Identification Method - AccountingTools
-
Upload
md-rakibul-hasan -
Category
Documents
-
view
7 -
download
0
description
Transcript of Specific Identification Method - AccountingTools
![Page 1: Specific Identification Method - AccountingTools](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082518/55cf8eb6550346703b94dae2/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Specific Identification Method - AccountingTools
http://www.accountingtools.com/specific-identification-method[3/29/2015 11:39:23 AM]
C P E B o o k s F i n a n c i a l A c c o u n t i n g O p e r a t i o n a l A c c o u n t i n g P o d c a s t Q & A D i c t i o n a r y A b o u t H o m e
Search the Site
1,000+ Accounting Topics!
Accounting Bestsellers
Accountants' Guidebook Accounting ControlsAccounting for Managers Accounting ProceduresBookkeeping GuidebookBudgetingBusiness RatiosCash Management CFO GuidebookClosing the Books Controller Guidebook Corporate Finance Cost AccountingCost Management Guidebook Credit & Collection GuidebookFinancial AnalysisFixed Asset AccountingGAAP GuidebookHospitality Accounting IFRS Guidebook Interpretation of Financials Inventory Accounting Investor RelationsLean Accounting GuidebookMergers & AcquisitionsNonprofit Accounting Payables Management Payroll ManagementPublic Company Accounting
Operations Bestsellers
Constraint Management Human Resources Guidebook Inventory Management Purchasing Guidebook
Sign Up for Discounts
Your E-Mail Address *
Receive monthly discounts on
accounting CPE courses & books
Home >> Inventory Accounting Topics
The Specific Identification Method
Specific Identification Method Overview
The specific identification method refers to the tracking and costing of inventory based on
the movement of specific, identifiable inventory items in and out of stock. This method is
applicable when individual items can be clearly identified, such as with a serial number,
stamped receipt date, or RFID tag.
Specific Identification Method Requirements
The principle requirements of a specific identification tracking system are:
Be able to track each inventory item individually. The easiest method is a durable metal
or paper label that contains a serial number. Alternatively, a radio frequency
identification tag can contain a unique number that identifies the product.
Be able to track the cost of each item individually. The accounting system should clearly
identify the cost of each purchased item, and associate it with a unique identification
number.
Be able to relieve inventory for the specific cost associated with an inventory item when
it is sold.
These requirements can be achieved with a simple accounting system, possibly just an
electronic spreadsheet, which makes the specific identification method applicable to smaller
businesses.
Specific Identification Method Advantages and Disadvantages
The specific identification method introduces a high degree of accuracy to the cost of
inventory, since the exact cost at which something was purchased can be recorded in the
inventory records, and charged to the cost of goods sold when the related item is sold.
However, this method is rarely used, because there are few purchased products that are
clearly identified in a company's accounting records with a unique identification code. Thus,
it is typically restricted to unique, high-value items for which such differentiation is needed.
Most organizations instead sell products that are essentially interchangeable, and so are
more likely to use a FIFO, LIFO, weighted average, or similar system.
It is also very time-consuming to track inventory on an individual unit basis, which restricts
its use to smaller inventory quantities.
Examples of Specific Identification Method Usage
Examples of situations in which the specific identification method would be applicable are a
purveyor of fine watches or an art gallery.
Related Topics
FIFO vs. LIFO accounting
O p e r a t i o n a l A c c o u n t i n g T o p i c s
![Page 2: Specific Identification Method - AccountingTools](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022082518/55cf8eb6550346703b94dae2/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Specific Identification Method - AccountingTools
http://www.accountingtools.com/specific-identification-method[3/29/2015 11:39:23 AM]
First-in first-out method
Last-in first-out method
Weighted average method
What are perpetual LIFO and periodic LIFO?
Contact | Site Map | Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved