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Next Generation - Explanation and examples of the different stock adjustment types

A guide to the five stock movement types, covering when and how to use Adjustment, Opening Balance, Purchase, Sales, and Write Off movements to reflect different inventory changes.

Updated this week

When recording your stock movements, you can choose from five movement types that reflect different business scenarios and reasons for stock level changes.

The different stock movements are explained below with some examples

Movement Type	Description
Adjustment	Adjustment is the default type already populated for you when you open the Stock Movement screen. In - selected on the Stock Movement Details section of the Stock Movement transaction. You can use this to increase your stock levels when: You find extra stock during a stock take. You are correcting a data entry error (recorded 10 but actually have 15). Stock that was misplaced and is now found. Out - selected on the Stock Movement Details section of the Stock Movement transaction. You can use this to decrease your stock levels when: A stock item has been damaged in the warehouse (dropped or broken). A stock item is missing after your stock take. You need to correct over-recorded quantities.
Opening Balance	You can add an opening balance when you are migrating from another system with existing stock. You can also use it when you want to add a previously untracked stock item that's already in the warehouse.
Purchase	You can use this movement type when you need to move stock in or increase your stock levels as an ad-hoc or direct movement. You want to bypass the formal Purchase Order processing. You want to create a quick adjustment without having to create a full order documentation. You want to use for internal purposes for example when you need to move stock but you don't want the full transactional paperwork. Example: You receive free goods from your supplier (samples, promotions). Returns from customers that you want to place back into stock.
Sales	You can use this movement type when you need to move stock out or decrease your stock levels as an ad-hoc or direct movement. You want to bypass the formal Sales Order processing. You want to create a quick adjustment without having to create a full order documentation. You want to use for internal purposes for example when you need to move stock but you don't want the full transactional paperwork. Example: You give free samples to your customers. Any staff purchases or internal use stock you wish to record.
Write Off	This movement type allows you to decrease your stock quantity where the stock has no value and will not be recovered. You want to permanently remove this stock from your stock due to damage, or it becomes obsolete, expires or just being unsellable. Example: Stock is deemed unsellable due to quality issues. End-of-line products being permanently removed.

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