Companies that use LIFO record the cost of inventory at the latest price paid for those materials in the open market, even though they are selling goods often bought at a lower value. This increases a company's cost of goods sold, which in turn reduces profit. The upside: higher cash flow because of reduced taxes. Under another inventory-accounting method -- used by most public companies -- the cost of inventory is recorded at a price that matches initial purchase prices. That is usually a lower price, so this method results in lower costs and higher profit