【Reference for G3】 Inventory Check
Implementation of Physical Inventory Check (Essence of controls)
- A certain reference date is set and "Physical inventory check" is carried out every year to
verify the existence of inventory on book, the actual conditions of merchandise in warehouse
and the management situation of inventory.
- A physical inventory check (an inspection of actual goods) is an important procedure for
confirming whether items recorded in the accounting books actually exist and whether
warehousing conditions or conditions of goods are appropriate.
- By visually inspecting actual goods, it is checked whether the asset value in the accounting
books has been maintained. (If the asset value has been impaired as a result of inferior
quality or other reasons, it is necessary to revaluate the value and reflect the change in
the accounting books.)
- If there are discrepancies between the inventory balance in the accounting books and
the actual inventory balance, it is important to correct the balance in the accounting books
after clarifying the causes of such discrepancies.
- If a physical inventory check covers some inventories only, problems cannot be promptly
discovered in some cases. Therefore, the physical inventory check should be performed
covering all inventories in principle.
Implementation of Book Inventory (Essence of controls)
The inventory balance certificates from the warehousing companies are obtained and reconciled
with the book balance of inventory ("Paper reconciliation of inventory"). When there is a
difference, the company investigates the cause and corrects the book balance of inventory.
- “Book Inventory” (an examination of the inventory book balance) is an important procedure to
confirm whether items recorded in the accounting books actually exist or not, by making a
comparison with the external evidence (such as stock and storage certificates issued by
warehousing companies).
- “Book Inventory” should be carried out for all goods periodically. (Monthly in principle)
- If there are discrepancies between the balance in the accounting books and the external
evidence, it is necessary to clarify the cause of discrepancies and then correct the book
balance in line with the external evidence which reflects the actual inventory balance.
・ The actual inventory quantity balance in a warehouse at the end of a month equals to
the figure obtained by adding the received quantity at the warehousing during the month
to the beginning balance of the month and then by subtracting the quantity of delivery
from the warehouse during the month. Therefore, the actual inventory balance will be
the same as the book balance of the company as long as daily records of increasing and
decreasing in inventories are kept accurately.
If there are any discrepancies between the actual inventory balance at warehouse
and the book balance at the company, it is important to investigate the causes
(errors in recording or errors in warehousing and delivery from the warehouse, etc.)
Quoted from:
「Essence of Controls」 (Financial Closing Management)CL No96 「Implementation of Physical inventory check」
「Essence of Controls」 (Financial Closing Management)CL No97 「Implementation of Paper reconciliation of inventory」