Justin's Plant Store, a Retailer, Started Operations on January 1

question 129

Multiple Choice

Justin's Plant Store, a retailer, started operations on January 1. On that date, the only assets were $16,000 in cash and $3,500 in merchandise inventory. For purposes of budget preparation, assume that the company's cost of goods sold is 60% of sales. Expected sales for the first four months appear below: $\begin{array} { |l | r | } \hline & \text { Expected Sales } \\\hline \text { January } & \$ 10,000 \\\hline \text { February } & 24,000 \\\hline \text { March } & 16,000 \\\hline \text { April } & 25,000 \\\hline\end{array}$ The company desires that the merchandise inventory on hand at the end of each month be equal to 50% of the next month's merchandise sales (stated at cost) . All purchases of merchandise inventory must be paid in the month of purchase. Sixty percent of all sales should be for cash; the balance will be on credit. Seventy-five percent of the credit sales should be collected in the month following the month of sale, with the balance collected in the following month. Variable operating expenses should be 10% of sales, and fixed expenses (all depreciation) should be $3,000 per month. Cash payments for the variable operating expenses are made during the month the expenses are incurred.
-In a budgeted balance sheet,what would be the merchandise inventory on February 28?

• A) $3,200.
• B) $4,800.
• C) $7,500.
• D) $9,600.

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Definitions:

Machinery

Equipment, especially of a mechanical nature, used in the production process of goods.

Petroleum

A liquid that occurs naturally under the surface of the Earth, which can be processed into fuel and a range of chemical products.

Labor Productivity

A measure of economic performance calculated by dividing total output by the total number of hours worked.

Wages

Payments made to laborers or employees for their work or services, typically provided on an hourly, daily, or piecework basis.