Valuation of inventory refers to the process of assigning a monetary value to the goods and materials held by a business for the purpose of resale or production. Inventory valuation is crucial for determining the true financial position of a company, as it directly impacts the calculation of cost of goods sold, gross profit, and ultimately, the profitability of the business. Different valuation methods, such as FIFO (First-In, First-Out), LIFO (Last-In, First-Out), weighted average cost, and specific identification, may be used based on the nature of the inventory and regulatory requirements. The goal of inventory valuation is to accurately reflect the cost of inventory on the balance sheet and ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory guidelines.