As discussed previously in this chapter, the valuation of inventory and the cost of goods sold is of critical importance to managers and to users of the company’s financial statements. Inventory is often a company’s largest asset, whereas the cost of goods sold is often a company’s largest expense. The two primary issues with regard to inventory valuation are existence and valuation. Existence refers to whether the inventory physically exists. Valuation refers to whether inventory that physically exists is valued (priced) correctly.