Inventories refer to the goods and materials that a business holds for the purpose of resale or production. This can include raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods. Keeping track of inventories is important for businesses to ensure they have enough stock to meet customer demand while also minimizing excess inventory that can tie up capital. Proper inventory management can help businesses optimize their supply chain and improve overall efficiency.
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Google Gemini AI
Apr 18
Definition:
An inventory is a comprehensive list of items, such as goods, assets, or resources, owned or managed by an individual or organization. It provides detailed information about the quantity, condition, and value of each item.
Types of Inventories:
- Raw materials inventory: Unprocessed materials used in the production process. - Work-in-progress (WIP) inventory: Items currently undergoing production. - Finished goods inventory: Completed products ready for sale or distribution. - Maintenance, repair, and operating supplies (MRO) inventory: Items used to maintain equipment and facilities. - Consignment inventory: Goods owned by a supplier but stored at the customer's location.
Importance:
- Optimizing production and operations: Inventories help ensure that manufacturers have sufficient materials to meet demand and that products are available for sale when needed. - Controlling costs: Proper inventory management can reduce storage costs, prevent shortages, and minimize waste. - Improving customer service: Adequate inventory levels allow businesses to fulfill orders promptly and minimize customer wait times. - Accurate financial reporting: Inventories are a valuable asset and must be accurately accounted for in financial statements.
Methods of Inventory Management:
- First-in, first-out (FIFO): Assumes that the oldest items in inventory are sold first. - Last-in, first-out (LIFO): Assumes that the newest items in inventory are sold first. - Weighted average cost: Calculates the average cost of inventory by dividing the total cost by the number of units. - Periodic inventory system: Inventories are counted and recorded at specific intervals (e.g., monthly or quarterly). - Perpetual inventory system: Inventories are updated continuously as transactions occur.
Inventory Valuation:
- Cost: The original cost of acquiring the inventory. - Market value: The current market price of the inventory. - Net realizable value (NRV): The estimated selling price minus any costs associated with selling the inventory.
Key Metrics:
- Inventory turnover: The number of times inventory is sold and replaced during a specified period. - Days sales of inventory (DSI): The average number of days it takes to sell inventory. - Inventory accuracy: The level of accuracy between the physical inventory count and the records.