in january 2025, an inventory error was discovered by the chief financial officer of the company: ending…

in january 2025, an inventory error was discovered by the chief financial officer of the company: ending inventory at december 31, 2024 was overstated by $19,600. what effect did this error have on the financial statements prepared at december 31, 2024? (ignore income taxes).\n\nassets are unaffected; liabilities are overstated; net income is overstated; shareholders equity is overstated\n\nassets are overstated; liabilities are unaffected; net income is understated; shareholders equity is understated\n\nassets are understated; liabilities are unaffected; net income is overstated; shareholders equity is overstated\n\nassets are overstated; liabilities are unaffected; net income is overstated; shareholders equity is overstated
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Recall inventory - asset relationship
Inventory is an asset. Over - stating ending inventory over - states assets.
Step2: Recall cost of goods sold formula
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) = Beginning Inventory + Purchases - Ending Inventory. Over - stating ending inventory under - states COGS.
Step3: Recall net income relationship
Net Income = Revenues - COGS - Other Expenses. With under - stated COGS, net income is over - stated.
Step4: Recall shareholders' equity relationship
Shareholders' Equity = Beginning Equity+ Net Income - Dividends. With over - stated net income, shareholders' equity is over - stated. Liabilities are not affected by inventory errors (ignoring income taxes).
Answer:
Assets are overstated; Liabilities are unaffected; Net income is overstated; Shareholders' Equity is overstated