Expense Category
Professional Services

What expense category does buying inventory come under?

There are a few possible expense categories that buying inventory could come under. It could be classified as a cost of goods sold (COGS) expense, as inventory is considered a part of the cost of goods that a company sells. It could also be classified as an operating expense, as inventory is needed for a company to operate. Another possibility is that it could be classified as a capital expenditure (CapEx), as inventory is considered a long-term asset.

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

COGS includes the direct costs associated with producing the goods that a company sells. This would include the cost of the materials and labor used to create the product. If a company sells products that it has purchased from another company, the cost of the inventory would also be included in COGS.

Operating Expense

An operating expense is any expense that is incurred in the course of running a business. This would include the cost of inventory, as well as other expenses such as rent, utilities, and payroll.

Capital Expenditure (CapEx)

A capital expenditure is an expense that is incurred in the purchase of a long-term asset. Inventory would be considered a long-term asset, as it is something that a company expects to use for more than one year. CapEx is typically recorded on the balance sheet as opposed to the income statement.

There is no one right answer for which expense category buying inventory comes under. It could be classified under multiple categories, depending on how a company chooses to record its expenses.

The information provided in this article does not constitute legal or financial advice and is for general informational purposes only. Please check with an attorney or financial advisor to obtain advice with respect to the content of this article.
“Accurate classification of expenses is vital for businesses as it forms the backbone of financial reporting, tax compliance, and strategic decision-making. It enables businesses to track and analyze their spending patterns, identify cost-saving opportunities, and assess the profitability of various operations or projects. Having a single source to turn to for accounting classification suggestions, such as the Ramp Expense Classifier tool, is immensely helpful as it provides consistency, reduces ambiguity, and streamlines the expense classification process.”
Audrey Carroll
Senior Manager, Accounting, Ramp

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