Inventory

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Definition of 'Inventory'

Inventory is a term used in accounting to refer to the goods and materials that a company holds for sale in the ordinary course of business. Inventory can also include the raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods that a company uses to produce its products.

Inventory is an asset on a company's balance sheet. It is typically listed as a current asset, along with cash, accounts receivable, and other assets that are expected to be converted into cash within one year.

The value of inventory is determined by the cost of the goods or materials. This cost can include the purchase price, freight, and other costs incurred in acquiring the goods.

Inventory is an important part of a company's operations. It represents the goods that a company has available to sell to its customers. The level of inventory that a company holds is determined by a number of factors, including the demand for its products, the lead time for production, and the cost of carrying inventory.

Inventory management is the process of planning, organizing, and controlling the flow of inventory through a company. The goal of inventory management is to ensure that the company has the right amount of inventory on hand to meet customer demand, while minimizing the costs associated with carrying inventory.

There are a number of different inventory management techniques that companies can use. These techniques include the just-in-time (JIT) inventory system, the economic order quantity (EOQ) model, and the ABC inventory classification system.

The JIT inventory system is a method of inventory management that minimizes the amount of inventory that a company holds. Under the JIT system, companies only produce or purchase goods as they are needed to meet customer demand. This system can help companies to reduce their inventory costs, but it can also increase the risk of stockouts.

The EOQ model is a mathematical model that is used to determine the optimal order quantity for a company. The EOQ model takes into account the costs of ordering inventory, the costs of carrying inventory, and the demand for the company's products.

The ABC inventory classification system is a method of classifying inventory items based on their importance to the company. The ABC system divides inventory items into three categories: A items, B items, and C items. A items are the most important items, B items are the next most important items, and C items are the least important items. The ABC system helps companies to focus their inventory management efforts on the most important items.

Inventory is an important asset for companies. It represents the goods that a company has available to sell to its customers. The level of inventory that a company holds is determined by a number of factors, including the demand for its products, the lead time for production, and the cost of carrying inventory. Inventory management is the process of planning, organizing, and controlling the flow of inventory through a company. The goal of inventory management is to ensure that the company has the right amount of inventory on hand to meet customer demand, while minimizing the costs associated with carrying inventory.

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