๐Ÿงพfinancial accounting i review

Net purchases

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025

Definition

Net purchases represent the total amount of goods bought during a period after accounting for returns, allowances, and discounts. It is a key metric in determining the cost of goods available for sale in merchandising activities.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Net purchases are calculated as Purchases minus Purchase Returns and Allowances minus Purchase Discounts.
  2. Net purchases are recorded on the income statement under Cost of Goods Sold (COGS).
  3. Understanding net purchases helps in accurately tracking inventory costs and profitability.
  4. Purchase Returns and Allowances reduce the total purchase amount when customers return goods or receive price reductions.
  5. Purchase Discounts, often offered by suppliers for early payment, further decrease the total purchase cost.

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