When I purchase inventory items, it only shows up as an expense AFTER the item is sold. Is there a way to change that, that as soon as I purchase the inventory item, it’s an expense and not only after I sell it?
Yes, don’t use inventory and just use Sales invoice items module under Settings tab.
But keep in mind, what Manager does is correct from accounting and also from taxation point of view because generally only sold or written-off inventory is income-tax deductible expense.