Inventory, Supplies, & COGS

I am a member of the ranching community, so this article’s purpose is to empower ranchers on the business side of ranching.  Financial institutions require ranchers to submit financial statements.  There are two main important financial statements, the balance sheet and the income statement.

Inventory, supplies, and Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) are terms used in accounting.  Most everyone is familiar with the terms inventory and supplies.  COGS is somewhat vague.  All three of those terms refer to items used and paid for, in your business.  When you purchase a bale of hay, or a load of hay, which of these three terms should be used.  The correct answer is, with inventory and supplies, it depends.  COGS is always used with inventory.

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