Stock taking is the process of accounting physically the stock-in-hand and verifying this with the balances shown in materials accounting document at predetermined intervals. This monthly stock taking enables cost evaluation of materials for billing the materials-at-site advance, costing materials inventory, and controlling materials mobilization status, and reconciling stock discrepancies. Possible causes of discrepancies between physical stock and storekeepers records can be due to the following:


1.     Materials received of different types and qualities than those shown on goods received notes (GRN) and site materials requisition notes (REQ).
2.     Quantity of stock issued to  construction centre is different than the quantity shown on the quantity shown on the requisition note.
3.     Surplus materials held in the construction centres are transferred or returned without documentation.
4.     Breakages, damages and losses at the construction centres are not accounted for during stock taking.
5.     Clerical errors in accounting.

Typical Stores Accounting Ledger Sheet

Code No.                                                                     Max Stock Level
Description                                                                  Min Stock Level
Location                                                                      Re-order Level
Quantity Required                                                        Re-order Quantity
Date
Ordered
Receipts
Issues
Stock Balance Qty
Ordered Qty
S.O. No.
Qty
GRN No.
Qty
Req. No.
Qty

*Stores ledger sheet contains entire stock information of a particular item Depending upon the company policy, an additional column showing price can be included.

The discrepancies are reconciled every month or quarter, and the adjustments are made in materials cost, or these are written off from the profit and loss account.