Periodic Inventory System: What Is It, How It Works, Applications, And More
The periodic inventory system is the method through which a business does a valuation of its inventory. Here, the business updates its inventory account at the end of each accounting period and not after each sale, wholesale, or purchase. The main advantage of this system is that it helps the business track its beginning and ending inventory within an accounting period.
In this article, you will learn about what a periodic inventory system is in general. Apart from that, you will also learn how a period inventory system works. In addition to that, you will also learn the difference between a periodic inventory system and a perpetual inventory system. Finally, you will learn how to use such a system in your business model. Hence, to learn more about this system, read on through to the end of the article.
What Is A Periodic Inventory System?
Investopedia defines –
“The term periodic inventory system refers to a method of inventory valuation for financial reporting purposes in which a physical count of the inventory is performed at specific intervals. As an accounting method, periodic inventory takes inventory at the beginning of a period, adds new inventory purchases during the period, and deducts ending inventory to derive the cost of goods sold (COGS).”
The best thing about a periodic inventory system is that it is easier to implement. Apart from that, it is also a cost-effective option for companies that are usually small in size. Another major advantage of a period inventory system is that it helps the business manage risks in the supply chain better.
It is an accounting technique where the accountant updates the count of the physical inventory at specific intervals. One can execute a period inventory count monthly, quarterly, and annually. Here, the accountant does not update the account regularly or after each sale of products and services.
However, this system of accounting is a great option for small businesses only. When it comes to larger companies, they use the perpetual inventory system. Here, the companies update their inventory lists regularly (or after each sale).
How Does A Periodic Inventory System Work?
The inventory of a business is nothing but the goods that the company has in its hand, and it can make them available for sale. In general cases, a business holds inventory in the normal course of business. Furthermore, the inventory is also one of the most valuable assets of the business. This is because those inventories create the primary source of revenue for the business.
According to FreshBooks.com,
“In a periodic inventory system, no continuous record of changes is kept. The yearly inventory purchases are recorded in the purchases account, which is a ledger listing all inventory purchases and their costs. At the end of the year, a physical inventory count is done to determine the ending inventory balance and the cost of goods sold.”
In this accounting system, the business keeps a physical count of inventory at certain periods of time. With the periodic inventory system, the time is mostly monthly, quarterly, or annually. This means that the company that uses this system tracks its inventory at hand both at the beginning and the end of a specific accounting period.
Here, the company does not track its inventory on a regular basis or during sales. With this inventory system, the company also finds it easier to track the costs of all the goods sold. This inventory updating system is popular among smaller companies that do not have the necessary tools and manpower to conduct regular updates of inventory. Also, these companies have smaller quantities of inventory.
Periodic Inventory System Vs. Perpetual Inventory System
In the periodic inventory system, the company does not have full information regarding its levels of inventory. Apart from that, it also does not know all the costs of goods sold until the completion of the physical count process.
Hence, this system is the best option for businesses that have a smaller number of stock-keeping units (SKUs). Furthermore, the company also needs to operate in a market that plods. In other cases, the perpetual inventory system is a better option for all.
The following are the major differences between a periodic inventory system and a perpetual inventory system:
- The perpetual inventory system updates the inventory asset ledger on a regular basis or after each sale. As a result, the management gets an instant view of the inventory. On the other hand, the periodic inventory system is more time-consuming and does not get updated information.
- With the help of the perpetual system, the company can always keep its COGS updated. On the other hand, the periodicity of the periodic system makes it less useful when it comes to staying updated.
- The perpetual system tracks individual items in the inventory. Hence, it is easier to locate defective items quickly. However, the periodic system does not help in this regard.
When To Use A Periodic Inventory System?
According to Netsuite.com,
“Any business can use a periodic system since there’s no need for additional equipment or coding to operate it, and therefore it costs less to implement and maintain. Further, you can train staff to provide simple inventory counts when time is limited, or you have high staff turnover.”
However, the periodic system is most suitable for small companies with a low number of SKUs. This is because such a business is not concerned fully about scaling its business at the given moment. Apart from that, based on your needs and the types of products you deal with, you can use a periodic system along with a perpetual inventory system.
Furthermore, if you have good control of your supply chain system and you sell only a few products, then the periodic system is the better option for you.
Wrapping Up
The periodic inventory system is the best option for only those companies that deal with only small quantities of goods. Apart from that, companies that are not looking for scale at the moment and have only a limited number of employees must use this inventory accounting system.
Do you have more suggestions on how to use the best inventory accounting system? Consider sharing your ideas and opinions with us in the comments section below.
Read More By Clicking Below!!
Related Articles
A Guide To Starting A Successful Gym Business
The fitness industry is expected to grow at a monumental 171.75% with an estimated value of $434.74 billion between 2022 - 2028 (source). Every business owner wants a slice of the pie. But, no matter what the competition is like, you can come out on top if you have a foolproof plan. If you’re passionate about starting a successful gym business, this guide is for you. How to Start a Successful Gym Business in 6 Steps 1. Find A Niche Perform your market research and study your ideal audience. What kind of gym are you going to be running and what customers are you targeting? The fitness industry is huge and encapsulates a lot of different niches. Finding and settling on a niche would help you specialize in one field and make you stand out. When choosing a niche keep these pointers in mind: You should be passionate about it It needs to be profitable It has competition but not too much It isn’t too specific or too broad Having a niche will then guide the kind of accreditations you would need to pursue. 2. Get A License Opening a gym is like any other business, so to get started you would need a business license. However, business licensing varies from country to country. You should find out what your local law states to make sure you get the proper licensing and permits if needed. 3. Invest In Gym Equipment Without proper, high-quality gym equipment you won’t be attracting customers any time soon. When it comes to investing in gym equipment you have two main options: buying and leasing. Buying equipment may be more expensive but it pays off in the long run. Leasing is cheaper, but the expenses add up as years pass. Determining what's best for you boils down to your financial plan. This includes calculating your expenses and determining a pricing strategy. 4. Determine Your Expenses Starting a gym can be costly and the costs may depend on which type of gym you’re opening. Typically, a gym would have the following expenses: Rent and utilities including heating, electricity, waste management, Wi-Fi, etc. Initial cost and maintenance of gym equipment Salaries of staff members and gym trainers Marketing costs including website maintenance, ad campaigns, etc. Miscellaneous accessories like towels, music systems, screens, etc. 5. Choose Your Pricing Strategy You need to have a clear idea of how you’re going to price your customers before moving forward. After you’ve calculated your expenses, you need to find a suitable pricing strategy. These are common pricing strategies used to run a gym: Competitive pricing - charging similar to what your competition is charging. Skim pricing - charging customers a high price at launch and lowering it as competition increases. Pay per session - flexible pricing plan for irregular customers where they’re charged for a single class. Membership plans - the most common type of pricing model. Offer a gym membership where customers opt for a prepaid plan where customers have full access to the gym for a fixed period. When setting your pricing, give customers flexible options and earn their trust. This includes: Offering pricing tiers, so each customer can pay according to their budget Offering monthly plans and easy cancellation Letting customers know upfront the total costs - don’t have any hidden costs Include extra fees, such as registration, in the membership plan rather than charging them separately 6. Start Marketing Your Gym After setting up, it’s time to let people know you’re open for business. Good marketing can be the deciding factor between success and failure, so it’s important to invest in marketing to run effective campaigns for your business. There are many ways to market your business while ensuring a high ROI on your campaigns. One such way is to sell merchandise to existing customers which would increase brand awareness while generating some passive income. Some of the top gym clothing brands manage to earn millions of dollars in revenue from selling fitness apparel alone. Conclusion Opening a gym is not for the faint-hearted. It takes patience, determination, and proper funding to get your business up and running. This guide has given you an idea of what to expect when starting your own gym business, so you can make it a success. Read Also: The Resources You Need To Start Your Business How To Start A Business In 2021 – Best Business Strategies Everything Any Entrepreneur Needs To Know Before Starting A Business
April, 04 2023
What Is Bottleneck In Business? Everything You Should Know About It
Do you want to know what a bottleneck in business is? If yes, then read this article carefully, and you will get all the answers to your query. A bottleneck is known as the congestion point in the production process. In this scenario of bottleneck, the production stops, and the systems slow down. It severely affects the productivity of an organization. You cannot make your selection and the choices in the dark. Apply the equity theory to get over this situation. The inefficiencies caused by the bottleneck in business increase the cost of production and delay the production process. Most organizations cannot recover from the bottleneck situation and collapse due to it. What Is Bottleneck In Business? In a business context, a bottleneck refers to a point in a process or system. Here the flow of work is significantly impeded or slowed down. It causes a delay in the overall output or efficiency of the system. This is a constraint that limits the capacity of the entire process. It often results in inefficiencies, increased lead times, or decreased productivity. How Do You Recover From A Bottleneck Situation In business? There are several methods you can employ from your end to recover from the bottleneck situation in your business. You need to know the methods well to have a better idea of it. Try to recover from this situation as soon as possible. As it can hamper the growth of your business significantly in the long run. Let’s find out some of the techniques to recover from it quickly. 1. Identify The Bottlenecks Analyze the workflow and processes to pinpoint the specific stage or area causing the slowdown. You need to identify the exact point of your production process that is creating the problem for your business. Crosscheck the areas of your bottlenecks in business and why they are creating such a mess in your operation process. Only then can you solve your issues easily within a limited time. 2. Assess Impact & Prioritize Evaluate the impact of the bottleneck on overall operations. Prioritize based on the severity of the impact on revenue, customer satisfaction, or other critical business aspects. The bottleneck in business can kill the possibilities of your business growth. You need to identify the area of your business that gets impacted severely due to the bottleneck. Furthermore, it will help you take further steps with ease. Supply chain risk management is the best example of this situation. 3. Immediate Mitigation Implement short-term solutions to alleviate the bottleneck's immediate effects. This might involve redistributing tasks, reallocating resources, or adjusting work schedules temporarily. Your employees may also have higher levels of dissatisfaction in the workplace. It can easily create a bottleneck in business. You need to understand the scenario and then take the necessary actions. 4. Analyze The Root Cause Of Bottleneck In Business Dig deeper to understand the causes of the bottleneck. Examine factors such as resource limitations, process inefficiencies, technology constraints, or dependencies on specific steps/people. Find out the root cause of the problem, then you can go for the best solution. Once you know how to solve the problem, it will become easier for you. 5. Implement The Long Term Solution Develop and implement strategies to address the underlying causes identified. This might involve process redesign, technology upgrades, resource reallocation, or retraining of staff. Try to make implementations of the long-term solutions to your business problems. It must not impact your business for a longer duration of time. Otherwise, things can become tougher for you. Reduce the capital expenditure by reducing bottlenecks. 6. Monitor & Measure Continuously monitor the workflow and measure performance after implementing changes. This helps assess the effectiveness of solutions and identifies any new bottlenecks that might arise. Once the bottleneck problem is resolved, you need to monitor it continuously. So that it did not create any kind of problem in your business operation again. You must stay alert to this fact regarding the recurrence of the bottlenecks in business once the problem is solved. 7. Continuous Improvement Foster a culture of continuous improvement. Encourage teams to identify and address potential bottlenecks proactively, ensuring ongoing optimization of processes. You should encourage continuous improvement in the process of production. Otherwise, things can turn worse for you. Try to implement the latest technologies to improve the production process in your organization. It can contribute to the growth of your business on a huge scale. 8. Regular Review & Adaptation Regularly review processes, systems, and workflows to adapt to changing business needs or growth. Adaptation ensures scalability and prevents bottlenecks from recurring. A business needs to keep on working with the environmental changes. You cannot stick to your old strategy once and forever. Try to rebuild your new strategies in such a way that it can boost your production process with ease. 9. Cross Training & Redundancy Implement cross-training programs to ensure multiple team members are capable of handling critical tasks, reducing dependency on specific individuals. Redundancy in systems or resources can also prevent future bottlenecks in case of failures. You need to train your employees from time to time. It will increase their confidence in the workplace. Ultimately, it can improve the proficiency of your employees by a huge margin. 10. Collaboration & Communication Foster open communication and collaboration among departments. This allows for early identification of potential bottlenecks and enables a swift response to mitigate them. You must enable healthy communication among teams to foster the growth of your organization. However, it an also boost the productivity of your organization. Final Take Away Hence, these are some of the effective methods you can employ to reduce the bottleneck in business. You need to understand the business scenario first, and then you have to take the right actions. It can help you to reach your business goals with ease. You can share your experiences with us. Comment on this matter and highlight the areas of the article you like most. Ensure that you follow the correct method to reduce business complications. Try to think out of the box to solve the issues of your business. Reduce the ill effects of bottlenecks as soon as possible otherwise, it can kill the possibility of your business growth. Interested In Business Read The Best Articles By Clicking Below!! What Is a Bear Hug? Let’s Discuss The Benefits Equity Theory: A Balancing Act for Modern Workplaces What Is A Distribution Channel? Essential Things To Know About It
December, 12 2023
What Is An Endowment? – Working, Purpose, Types, And More
What is an endowment? - Large non-profit organizations need donation capital from time to time in order to fund their operations on a daily basis. Hence, these large organizations make use of endowments as financial tools. With this tool, various non-profit organizations can manage a set of financial assets to generate investment returns. They use these investment returns to fund the operations and further grow the endowment. In this article, you will learn about endowments in general and how it works. Apart from that, we will also take a look at its major features and purpose. Furthermore, we will give you an idea of the different types of endowments. Finally, we will look at the major pros and cons of endowments. Hence, to learn more about endowments, read on through to the end of the article. What Is An Endowment? According to Investopedia, “An endowment is a donation of money or property to a nonprofit organization, which uses the resulting investment income for a specific purpose. An endowment can also refer to the total of a nonprofit institution’s investable assets, also known as its “principal” or “corpus,” which is meant to be used for operations or programs that are consistent with the wishes of the donor(s).” Mainly, large non-profit organizations design endowments to ensure that their principal amount is intact. At the same time, these organizations use the investment income for charitable efforts. They also ensure that the organized endowments are a trust, private foundation, or public charity. The organizations that administer endowments include educational institutions, service-oriented organizations, and educational institutions. They manage their endowments with the goal that when donors provide funds for the purpose of the organization, there are sufficient resources to support that purpose. How Does Endowment Work And What Are Its Purpose? According to Wall Street Mojo, “The endowment funds are funded mainly by way of donations. The funds have specific policies concerning investments, withdrawal as well as usage of the funds. Normally the policies allow that the initial investment, known as the principal, shall remain untouched, and only the investment income can be withdrawn for use in the operations of the non-profit organization.” Organizations use endowments as a trust, private foundations, or public charities. In general, educational institutions like universities and colleges administer endowments. On the other hand, there are other types of endowments too. Bodies like cultural institutions and service-oriented organizations manage these types of endowments.Indexed Universal Life Insurance: What Are They And How Do They Work? In some cases, the organization can also use a certain percentage of endowment assets. Hence, the amount that the organization withdraws mostly consists of a combination of principal and interest income. Based on the prevailing market rates, the ratio of principal to income of the organization will change on a yearly basis. Another important aspect of endowments is their management. It is a discipline unto itself, and managers have to deal with the push and pull of interests to use assets. They set objectives, assess business risks, develop policies of payout, build asset allocation policies, select managers, define responsibilities, and cut costs. What Are The Types Of Endowment? The following are the major types of endowments: 1. Unrestricted Endowment It consists of assets that the organization can spend, save, invest, and distribute. This endowment is at the discretion of the organization. 2. Term Endowment As per this method, the organization can expend the principal only after a certain event or a period of time. However, after the time limitation that the donor had imposed is over, the organization can freely utilize the fund. 3. Quasi Endowment This is an endowment donation that the organization receives from an individual or an institution. The individual or the institution gave the fund for a specific purpose. The organization that receives the fund retains the principal and extends or distributes the earnings as per the instruction of the donor. Institutions that benefit from such endowments start this through internal transfers. 4. Restricted Endowment In this system, the organization holds the principal in perpetuity. At the same time, the organization expends the earnings of the invested assets as per the specifications of the donor. When it comes to donation size, The Corporate Finance Institute states - “The typical donation size of an endowment is generally much larger when compared to other charitable donations. It is because donors realize that large donations to an endowment are a way to fund the organization and support a cause they believe in for many years in the future, and hence their legacy as a donor is also kept alive.” What Are The Pros And Cons Of Endowment? The following are some of the major pros and cons of endowment: Pros Of Endowment Here are the major pros of endowment: Organizations are in a better position to attain their objectives as the funds act as financial support. Professional managers manage the fund and take due care to ensure its protection. These funds act as a regular source of income for the organization or institution. The organization gets additional support for the annual fund of the organization. The organization can also utilize the funds’ proceeds for various programs. Cons Of Endowment Here are the major cons of endowment that you need to be aware of: The organization can use certain contributions for limited purposes only. These include the ones that are for specific purposes. The organization can also face restrictions while withdrawing funds. This can lead to hampering of operations. Summing Up Hope you have an understanding of what is an endowment and how it works in general. In the United States and also in other parts of the Western world, you will find endowments with academic institutions. The size of the endowment of an academic institution shows how well-off the institution is. This shows that the institution can fund its operating costs.However, the organization that is receiving endowments cannot violate the terms of endowments. If an institution has gone bankrupt but still has assets in endowments, then a court can issue a “cy pres doctrine.” This allows the institution to use endowment assets for better health. If you have more information to add, share it with us in the comments below. Read More Business Realated News By Clicking Below!! Indexed Universal Life Insurance: What Are They And How Do They Work? What Is Shareholders Equity And How Does It Operate Within A Business? What Is A 504 Loan? Features Of 504 Loan
November, 11 2023
Home Credit: Information, Eligibility Criteria, Interest Rates, Review & More
If you are looking for quick and instant personal loans, you must download the Home Credit app on your smartphone and explore the platform. The starting rate of interest on a Home Credit Personal Loan is 2% per month. Furthermore, you can get a loan amount of up to 5 lakhs and also get a loan tenure of up to 51 months. The best part about HomeCredit Finance is that you will get personal loans within a matter of minutes after your document verification is done. In this article, we will mainly discuss the various loan-related features of Home Credit, its rate of interest, the eligibility of the borrower, and customer reviews. Hence, read on through to the end of the article to get fully informed. Home Credit – General Information If you want to avail of loans from the Home Credit platform, you will need to show your documents to the lenders on the platform. Home Credit is a non-banking financial company, and it claims to provide loans at low-interest rates within only a few hours of application for the loan. If you apply for a loan now, you will get your loan within a few hours. However, your personal documents must be verified, and you will have to show your reason for availing of your loans. On the other hand, you will also need to make sure that all the documents you provide are true, and you will also need to provide your scanned photo and your current selfie. Home Credit – Personal Loan Highlights And Loan Features The following are the major highlights that will give you a better idea of the loan features of the Home Credit personal loan platform: Home Credit Personal LoansLoan AmountUp to ₹5 lakhsFor existing Home Credit BorrowersMinimum: ₹10,000Maximum: ₹5,00,000For new Home Credit BorrowersMinimum: ₹25,000Maximum: 2,00,000Rate of Interest On Loan2% per month onwardsLoan Tenure- For existing Home Credit Borrowers: 9 months to 51 months- For new Home Credit Borrowers: 6 months to 48 monthsMinimum Income to Avail Loan₹10,000Loan processing fees 0% to 5% of the PrincipalForeclosure feeNoneFlexible Personal Loan Processing Fees2.5% of the loan amountHome Credit India Address (Home Credit office near me)DLF Infinity Towers, Tower C, 3rd Floor, DLF Cyber City Phase II, Gurgaon-122002, IndiaHome Credit customer care number Delhi+91 - 124 - 662 – 8888 (Between 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, All Days)Emailgrievanceofficer@homecredit.co.in Home Credit – Late Payment Charges (Personal Loan) Annualized PercentageStarts From 24%Number of days due1 day30 days60 days90 days120 days150 days180 daysLate Payment Charges₹350₹450₹550₹750₹750₹750₹750Total Late Payment Charges₹350₹800₹1350₹2100₹2850₹3600₹4350 Home Credit – Eligibility And Required Documents The followings are the eligibility and the required documents needed at the time of availing loans from Home Credit: Eligibility- If you want to avail of loans from Home Credit, you must fulfil the below-mentioned eligibility: Must be a citizen of India Must be either of the three: Salaried employee, Self-employed individual, or pensioner. Must be aged between 19 to 68 years. Must have an active bank account. At least 90 have passed since the last Home Credit loan application. Required Documents- The following are the documents you need to have for verification of Home Credit personal loans: PAN Card Address Proof: Voter ID Card/ Driver’s License/ Property Tax Receipt/ Passport Government House Allotment Letter. How To Download Home Credit App? The following are the steps you will need to follow to download the Home Credit Loan App on your smartphone from Google Play Store: Step 1: Open Play Store on your Android smartphone. Step 2: On the search bar, type “Home Credit.” Tap on the “Home Credit: Loan App” option. (You can also apply for Home Credit loans by going to the following website: https://www.homecredit.co.in/en/home) Step 3: Tap the install button, and then let the download and installation process take place. Step 4: Once the Google Home Credit app is installed on your smartphone, you can start the app and then do a Home Credit loans login to get access to the variety of loan options. Home Credit – Top Borrower Reviews The following are some of the interesting reviews by Home Credit borrowers that must be helpful for you: “WORST EXPERIENCE WITH HOME CREDIT . THESE GUYS IRRITATE THE CUSTOMERS AND DEDUCT AMOUNT REGULARLY FROM BANK ACCOUNT. FORCED FOR THE VALUE ADDED SERVICES AND DONT REFUND AMOUNT. I REQUESTED TO ALL OF U PLEASE DON'T TRUST ON HOME CREDIT FINANCE.” BY :- JITENDRA MEENA “DON'T TAKE ANY KIND OF LOAN , SERVICES BAD , HIDDEN CHARGES , INTEREST PERCENTAGE VERY HIGH., AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE VERY POOR CATEGORY.” BY :- bagderahul04 “I LIKED HOME CREDIT MINI CASH LOAN OPTION VERY EASY PROCEDURES. I TAKEN MINI CASH LOAN FROM HOME CREDIT FOR MY SON SCHOOL FEES ON THAT IT'S REALLY HELPS ME. I GOT 2 DAYS DELAY TO GET CREDIT BUT REALLY HAPPY WITH HOME CREDIT. I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST FINANCE GIVEN THIS TYPE EASY PROCEDURE TO GET LOAN. THANKU” BY :- MANJU6431 “I HAVE PURCHASED 2 MOBILE PHONES THROUGH HOME CREDIT INDIA WITH ZERO DOWN PAYMENT. ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF PROCESSING CHARGES. MINIMUM DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THIS. AND THEY ALSO PROVIDE A SMALL FINANCE OF RUPEE 10000 FOR IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY. IT WILL BE AVAILABLE QUICKLY.” BY :- NEENU1234 Summing Up As you have seen from the reviews of Home Credit in this article, the reviews related to the Home Credit app are mixed. However, you can also read popular reviews of Home Credit loan borrowers. If you see any hidden charges on the loan you are taking, ensure that you ask for full information. Make sure to read every piece of information related to the loans properly before you avail yourself of the loan from Home Credit. Although the app looks genuine, and the platform is certified, the borrower reviews say it all. Have you taken loans through the Home Credit app? Share your experience with us in the comments section below. Have A Look :- How To Improve Energy Efficiency In Your Data Centre Money Tap Loan App: Information, Eligibility Criteria, Interest Rates, Review & More Virtual Data Rooms: What They Are And Their Critical Importance For Businesses
March, 03 2023