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Understanding Inventory Master Files

The document discusses the inventory master file, which contains permanent records for each inventory item. The inventory master file tracks key information for each item like the inventory code, description, location, category, tax code, supplier, and reorder levels. Maintaining an accurate inventory master file is important for companies to keep track of inventory, generate reports, and ensure proper stock levels.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
54 views3 pages

Understanding Inventory Master Files

The document discusses the inventory master file, which contains permanent records for each inventory item. The inventory master file tracks key information for each item like the inventory code, description, location, category, tax code, supplier, and reorder levels. Maintaining an accurate inventory master file is important for companies to keep track of inventory, generate reports, and ensure proper stock levels.

Uploaded by

palaviya
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Inventory master file

Thursday, 14 October 2021 9:47 am

Homework: Today's Topics:


 Introduction
 Inventory master file

Important Points:

Lecture Topic:
During the lecture, take notes here. Insert a sub-page for each lecture topic.
 Inventory master file
Inventory is an item, component part or raw material a company uses in production, or a finished product kept
to be sold at a later date. Inventory is a current asset of a business and it is an asset of the statement of
financial position. Examples of inventory are raw materials, components, finished goods, work in progress,
etc.

Companies use a manual system or computerised system to receive, store, issue, and manage inventory items.
A computerised system enable a company to keep a check on the inventory levels by performing automatic
counting of inventories, recording issues and revising the inventory balance.

Each system has a master file. A master file is the main that contains relatively permanent records about
particular items or entries. The inventory master file has the following fields:
1. Inventory code (key field)
2. Description of stock
3. Location
4. Category
5. Weight
6. Tax code
7. Nominal code
8. Department
9. Unit sale
10. Item type
11. Supplier account
12. Part number
13. Re-order level
14. Re-order quantity

Each field plays a different function and below is the functions of fields listed above:
1. Inventory code
This is a key field. The main function of inventory code is to identify each item of stock by giving it
its own unique code. If you enter a code for an existing inventory item, its details will be displayed on
screen. If you enter a new code, the screen of most computerised system will display that they is no
inventory item for that code.

2. Description of stock
Its function is to display name of the inventory item. This will be printed on reports.

3. Location

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3. Location
This field is used to enter the location of the inventory item. Locations categorise physical places
where various items are located thereby providing easy access to each item. Other systems use
location codes instead of names.

4. Category
Its function is to categorise inventory items into different inventory types for reporting purposes. On
the other hand, this can help the system user to select a specific range of items, for instance he or she
can select a certain category to display its report.

5. Weight
The function of this field is to record the weight of inventory item for reporting purposes. They are
some items which are measured in kilograms and their weight can be recorded on this field.

6. Tax code
This field is used to enter the VAT rate to be applied by default. Normally stocks value does not
include VAT element. Though stock items are kept in stores at an amount before VAT but stock items
such as items of finished goods can be sold at VAT inclusive price.
This means that the inventory shown on the balance sheet must be VAT exclusive.

7. Nominal code
This field is used to identify the nominal ledger to which the value of this item will be posted. When
purchased inventory items are entered into the stores the double entry is completed, the system may
debit stock nominal ledger and credit a supplier or bank. On the other hand, when items are issued
from the stores a system also complete a double entry by debiting production cost (cost of sales) ledger
and crediting stock nominal ledger.

8. Department
This field is used to assign an inventory to a department for reporting purposes more especially when a
company uses the departmental analysis facility.

9. Unit sale
This field is used to enter characters that describe the unit of sale, for example, ‘each’, ‘box’, ‘10-
pack’, etc. This is used for reference only and is not used in any calculation of prices.

10. Item type


This field is used to select the type of stock record. The stock record can be a stock item, non-stock
item or service item. This practice of giving a stock item a type, help a company to categorise the
products and services for better tracking.

11. Supplier account


This field is used to enter the account code for the supplier of each inventory.

12. Part number


This field is used to enter an inventory reference number. A part number (often abbreviated PN, P/N,
part no., or part #) is an identifier of a particular part design or material used in a particular industry.
Its purpose is to simplify reference to that item.

13. Re-order level


This field is used to enter the quantity of stock at which fresh stock should be ordered.
If the stock level falls below this figure, the inventory item will appear in red in most system’s
inventory window list box and will appear on the re-order levels report.
If the re-order level box is left blank, the product item will not be included on the re-order report

14. Re-order quantity


This field is used to enter the quantity of stock that you would normally re-order.
The quantity you enter here appears automatically for you when you raise a Purchase Order for this
inventory, but can be overwritten.

Summary
After the lecture, use this space to summarize the main points of this Lecture Topic.

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Common questions

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The re-order level field specifies the stock quantity at which new inventory should be ordered. This proactive alert helps prevent stockouts and ensures continuous production or sales activities. The re-order quantity field defines how much stock should be ordered each time, which simplifies purchasing processes by pre-setting typical order sizes. Together, these fields enable efficient inventory replenishment planning, minimize overstocking, and reduce associated carrying costs .

The weight field in inventory reporting is significant as it records the weight of inventory items, which can be essential for transportation and storage considerations. For items measured in kilograms, having an accurate record of weight aids in logistical planning, costing, and compliance with transportation regulations. Additionally, it contributes to precise valuation and inventory management by providing a comprehensive view of the stock held .

An inventory master file facilitates tracking and management of inventory across different locations through the location field, which stores the specific physical site where inventory is kept. This allows users to quickly identify where each item is stored, aiding in efficient inventory retrieval, minimizing time spent in logistics, and enabling seamless inventory transfers between locations if necessary. This functionality assists companies in balancing stock levels and optimizing storage space utilization .

The supplier account field in an inventory system is used to store the account code for each inventory supplier. This allows companies to efficiently track and manage orders and communications with suppliers. By maintaining detailed accounts, businesses can streamline order processing, manage payments, and ensure accuracy in transactions, thus fostering better supplier relationships and improving supply chain efficiency .

A comprehensive description of stock in an inventory master file is vital as it provides clear identification and differentiation among inventory items. This detail is essential for accurate reporting, helping to ensure that orders are fulfilled correctly and that there are no mix-ups in inventory management. Descriptive accuracy supports effective communication with suppliers and customers, aids in audit processes, and enhances the overall integrity and efficiency of inventory handling .

The nominal code is crucial for financial management as it identifies the nominal ledger where the value of the inventory item is posted. When inventory is purchased, the system performs double entry bookkeeping by debiting the stock nominal ledger and crediting the supplier or bank's account. Conversely, when inventory items are issued, the stock nominal ledger is credited, and the cost of production is debited. This integration ensures accurate and consistent financial records which are essential for financial reporting and auditing .

The item type field enhances inventory tracking by classifying stock records into types like stock items, non-stock items, or service items. This classification enables companies to manage different kinds of inventory according to their unique characteristics and movement patterns. It facilitates more accurate inventory controls, enhances reporting capabilities by providing tailored insights into each category, and supports better decision-making about inventory stocking and sales strategies .

Categorizing inventory items into different types, like stock items, non-stock items, and service items, assists in reporting by allowing precise filtering and analysis of each category. This organization facilitates efficient tracking of different inventory types and aids in generating reports that are crucial for strategic decision-making, such as identifying fast-moving goods, evaluating service levels, and optimizing inventory investment .

Computerised inventory systems enhance management by performing automatic counting of inventories, recording issues, and revising the inventory balance in real time. They enable more efficient management through features like automatic re-ordering alerts, accurate tracking of location and category, and streamlined reporting capabilities. Moreover, these systems reduce human error associated with manual entries and provide faster access to inventory data .

The inventory code field functions as a key field within an inventory master file. Its main purpose is to uniquely identify each item of stock by assigning it its own unique code. This allows for quick retrieval and management of inventory items, as entering a code for an existing item displays its details on the system screen. Conversely, entering a new code for an inventory item that doesn't exist will indicate that no such item is found in the system .

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