What is the work-in-process inventory account?
James Olson
Updated on February 08, 2026
The work-in-process inventory account is an asset account that is used to track the cost of the partially finished goods. The WIP goods that have been completed during the accounting period are credited to the WIP inventory account and debited to the finished goods inventory account.
What is the work in progress account?
In accounting, a work in progress (WIP) account is an inventory account that includes goods that are in the process of being produced but are not yet finished. This account represents the costs of resources used but not yet turned into completed products. Also refer to the work in progress account as work in process.
What are the inventory account used in manufacturing?
These include three types of inventory accounts—raw materials, work‐in‐process, and finished goods—and several long‐term fixed asset accounts. A manufacturing company uses purchased raw materials and/or parts to produce a product for sale.
How do you record work-in-process inventory?
If you buy $100 in raw materials to manufacture your product, you would debit your raw materials inventory and credit your accounts payable. Once that $100 of raw material is moved to the work-in-process phase, the work-in-process inventory account is debited and the raw material inventory account is credited.
What is work in process inventory example?
For some, work-in-process refers to products that move from raw materials to finished product in a short period. An example of a work-in-process may include manufactured goods. This account of inventory, like the work-in-progress, may include direct labor, material, and manufacturing overhead.
What is ending work in process inventory?
Work in Process Overview Work in process inventory is an asset The ending work in process inventory is simply the cost of partially completed work as of the end of the accounting period. Ending WIP is listed on the company’s balance sheet along with amounts for raw materials and finished goods.
What is work in process journal entry?
Work-in-process is inventory that has entered the production process but has not been completed at the balance sheet date. Finished goods refers to completed inventory ready for sale. Work-in-process (WIP) inventory consists of raw material, direct labor, and overhead costs.
How do you calculate manufacturing inventory?
Check inventory records to find out the finished goods inventory for the previous period. Subtract the cost of goods sold (COGS) from the cost of goods manufactured (COGM). Calculate the new finished goods inventory by adding the previous finished goods inventory value to the previous solution (COGM minus COGS).