On September 5, 2011, Maloney Corporation signed a purchase commitment to purchase inventory for $180,000 on or before March 31, 2012. The company's fiscal year-end is December 31. The contract was exercised on March 4, 2012 and the inventory was purchased for cash at the contract price. On the purchase date of March 4, the market price of the inventory was $182,000. The market price of the inventory on December 31, 2011, was $168,000.
a. Prepare the necessary adjusting journal entry (if any is required) on December 31, 2011.
b. Prepare the journal to record the purchase on March 4, 2012.