Palmer Chocolates, a maker of chocolates that specializes in Easter candy, had the following inventories over the past year:

Month Inventory Amount

January ......... $25,000,000

February ......... 60,000,000

March ......... 90,000,000

April ......... 30,000,000

May ......... 20,000,000

June ......... 22,000,000

July ......... 25,000,000

August ......... 38,000,000

September ......... 50,000,000

October ......... 60,000,000

November ......... 70,000,000

December ......... 30,000,000

Palmer had sales of $290 million over the past year. Cost of sales constituted 50 percent of sales. Calculate Palmer's inventory turnover using beginning of year inventory, end of year inventory, and a monthly average inventory. Which method do you feel is most appropriate? Why?