Inventory is made up of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished commodities in accounting terms. In the day-to-day operations of a firm, inventory may typically refer to anything from pipes to pies to high-end automobiles. Whatever perspective you take on inventory, one thing is certain: it appears on your company's balance sheet as an asset.
However, the actual inventory expenses for your organization are sometimes neglected. Aside from the initial purchase price, your inventory expenses comprise the cost of making each purchase as well as the cost of holding and maintaining each item until it is sold or written off. Inventory purchase, storage, and administration all incur significant expenses. To establish the true cost of your inventory, you must first understand the three inventory costs: ordering, carrying, and shortfall.