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The presentation requirements for inventory are generally dictated by SEC guidance, while the disclosure requirements are found in both SEC and US GAAP guidance. The extent of disclosure requirements varies depending on the method of accounting for inventory.
Note about ongoing standard setting
The FASB has an active project related to the disaggregation of income statement expenses.  This project would require disaggregation of costs incurred that are capitalized into inventory during the reporting period.  Financial statement preparers and other users of this publication are therefore encouraged to monitor the status of the project, and if finalized, evaluate the effective date of the new guidance and the implications on disclosure.

8.4.1 General presentation requirements

S-X 5-02(6)(a) requires an SEC registrant to state separately on the balance sheet or in a footnote the amounts of major classes of inventory, such as finished goods, inventoried costs relating to long-term contracts or programs, work in process, raw materials, and supplies.
As discussed in ASC 420-10-S99-3, inventory markdowns, including those attributed to an exit plan or other restructuring activity (not accounted for as discontinued activity) should be classified on the income statement as a component of cost of goods sold.

8.4.2 General disclosure requirements

As discussed in ASC 330-10-30-1 and ASC 330-10-35-1B, the primary basis of accounting for inventories is cost, provided cost is not higher than the net amount realizable from the subsequent sale of the inventories. ASC 330-10-50-1 and S-X 5-02(6)(b) require reporting entities to disclose the basis of accounting for inventories (e.g., lower of cost or net realizable value).

S-X 5-02(6)(b)

The basis of determining the amounts shall be stated.
If “cost” is used to determine any portion of the inventory amounts, the description of this method shall include the nature of the cost elements included in inventory. Elements of “cost” include, among other items, retained costs representing the excess of manufacturing or production costs over the amounts charged to cost of sales or delivered or in-process units, initial tooling or other deferred startup costs, or general and administrative costs.
The method by which amounts are removed from inventory (e.g., “average cost,” “first-in, first-out,” “last-in, first-out,” “estimated average cost per unit”) shall be described. If the estimated average cost per unit is used as a basis to determine amounts removed from inventory under a total program or similar basis of accounting, the principal assumptions (including, where meaningful, the aggregate number of units expected to be delivered under the program, the number of units delivered to date and the number of units on order) shall be disclosed.
If any general and administrative costs are charged to inventory, state in a note to the financial statements the aggregate amount of the general and administrative costs incurred in each period and the actual or estimated amount remaining in inventory at the date of each balance sheet.

When a significant change in basis occurs, ASC 330-10-50-1 requires disclosures regarding the nature of the change and its effect on income. ASC 330-10-50-1 also requires disclosure of the measurement basis and the nature of any change therein as well as, if material, the effect on income. In the rare instances that inventory is stated above cost or at sales price, this fact should be disclosed. If inventory is presented at standard cost, it should be titled appropriately, as required by ASC 330-10-30-12.

ASC 330-10-30-12

Standard costs are acceptable if adjusted at reasonable intervals to reflect current conditions so that at the balance-sheet date standard costs reasonably approximate costs computed under one of the recognized bases. In such cases descriptive language shall be used which will express this relationship, as, for instance, “approximate costs determined on the first-in first-out basis,” or, if it is desired to mention standard costs, “at standard costs, approximating average costs.”

ASC 330-10-50-1 requires disclosure of the basis of stating inventories (e.g., average cost, first-in, first-out (FIFO), last-in, first-out (LIFO), estimated average cost per unit). If LIFO or estimated average cost per unit is used, additional disclosures are required, as discussed in S-X 5-02(6)(b)-(c). LIFO disclosures are detailed in FSP 8.4.3. If the estimated cost per unit method is used, reporting entities should disclose the principal assumptions, including, where meaningful, the aggregate number of units expected to be delivered under the program, the number of units delivered to date, and the number of units on order.
As discussed in S-X 4-08(b), for any inventory mortgaged, pledged, or otherwise subject to lien, the approximate amounts thereof and the related obligations collateralized by those assets should be disclosed.
Substantial and unusual losses that result from the subsequent measurement of inventory should be disclosed in the financial statements as discussed in ASC 330-10-50-2. In addition, ASC 330-10-50-5 requires the amounts of net losses on firm purchase commitments accrued to be disclosed separately in the income statement.
Some reporting entities maintain a stock of spare parts that is used in connection with maintenance agreements with customers for customer-owned equipment. Often, when the reporting entities replace a particular part, the removed part is repaired and maintained for future use. The refurbished parts should be classified as inventories. To the extent the refurbished parts are no longer used, the loss in utility of such parts should be recorded in the period in which it occurs in accordance with ASC 330-10-35-2.

8.4.3 Last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventories

Reporting entities that use LIFO for tax reporting purposes are required to also use LIFO for accounting reporting purposes under the LIFO conformity requirement (Internal Revenue Code 472-2(e)). Supplemental disclosure of non-LIFO information is allowed, as long as it accompanies the primary financial statement, and is clearly labeled as being supplemental.
When the LIFO inventory method is used, S-X 5-02(6)(c) requires reporting entities to disclose the excess of replacement or current cost over stated LIFO value. This disclosure can be made parenthetically on the face of the balance sheet or in a footnote. In addition, if the method of calculating LIFO inventory does not allow for the practical determination of amounts assigned to major classes of inventory, S-X 5-02(6)(a) requires the amounts of those classes to be stated under cost flow assumptions other than LIFO. However, the excess of such total amounts over the aggregate LIFO amount should be shown as a deduction to arrive at the amount of LIFO inventory.
SAB Topic 11.F, LIFO Liquidations (codified in ASC 330-10-S99-3), requires sufficient disclosure in the footnotes of the impact of LIFO liquidations on net income. Furthermore, these effects should not receive any special treatment on the income statement (e.g., they should be included in the same line item where inventory costs are expensed).

8.4.3.1 LIFO used for a portion of inventories

If LIFO is not used for all inventories, disclosure is recommended regarding the extent to which LIFO is used, which generally means the nature and dollar amount of inventories priced at LIFO and under other methods.

8.4.4 Change in inventory costing method

A change in inventory costing method is a change in accounting principle. As such, a reporting entity that changes its method of inventory costing is required to justify and disclose the change and explain why the newly adopted principle is preferable. If the change in inventory costing is material, a preferability letter is required for public reporting entities, as further discussed in FSP 30.4.1.
Refer to FSP 30 for further considerations related to accounting changes and IV 1.4.3 and 3.5 for additional guidance on inventory accounting changes.
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