| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Finance and Accounts |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Accounts Manager |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 2 to 5 years in inventory or accounts |
Inventory Accountant job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Inventory Accountant
Department: Finance and Accounts
Reports to: Accounts Manager
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An Inventory Accountant keeps stock accurate in the books and matched to the floor. They account for goods received and issued, value inventory, reconcile physical stock to records and control write offs. The role reports to the Accounts Manager or Costing Manager and matters in manufacturing, retail and distribution. A good Inventory Accountant keeps stock records reliable, explains the gaps between book and physical, and stops inventory becoming a black hole in the accounts.
Key responsibilities
- Account for goods received, issued and returned across stores and plants.
- Value raw material, work in progress and finished goods each period.
- Reconcile physical stock counts with the inventory records each period.
- Investigate and clear differences between book and physical stock.
- Control and account for scrap, damage, expiry and write offs.
- Match purchase, GRN and inventory entries and clear mismatches.
- Maintain the item master, valuation method and stock ledgers accurately.
- Support cycle counts and the annual physical stock verification drives.
- Report slow moving, non moving and excess stock every month.
- Provide inventory schedules and detailed workings for the statutory audit.
Requirements
- B.Com, M.Com or CMA Inter
- Inventory and valuation knowledge
- ERP inventory experience is an advantage
- 2 to 5 years in inventory or accounts
KRAs and KPIs for a Inventory Accountant
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Stock accuracy | Book to physical stock variance held within the agreed percentage each count |
| Valuation | Inventory valued monthly and reconciled to the ledger with no unexplained gap |
| Difference clearance | Count differences investigated and cleared within the agreed time |
| Write off control | Scrap and write offs recorded with approval and kept within limits |
| Slow stock reporting | Slow and non moving stock reported and flagged each month |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: SAP MM, Tally Prime, Advanced Excel, Inventory systems, Barcode or scanner tools.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Cost Accountant, Accounts Manager, Costing Manager
Interview questions for a Inventory Accountant
- How do you value work in progress and finished goods?
- How do you reconcile physical stock with the records?
- How do you investigate a large book to physical difference?
- How do you account for scrap and damaged stock?
- How do you spot and report slow moving inventory?
- How do you keep the item master and valuation clean?
Managing a Inventory Accountant in ZeniaHR
Hire and manage your finance and accounts team in one place
Post the role, onboard the new hire, and track attendance, leave and KRAs in ZeniaHR. Free for your first 50 employees.
Book a free demoSee pricingFrequently asked questions
What does an Inventory Accountant do?
An Inventory Accountant keeps stock accurate in the books and matched to the floor. They account for goods received and issued, value inventory, reconcile physical stock to records, control write offs and report slow moving stock. They support physical verification and provide inventory schedules for audit, reporting to the Accounts or Costing Manager.
Why does book stock differ from physical stock?
Book and physical stock can differ due to unrecorded issues or receipts, wrong bookings, theft, damage, expiry, measurement errors or timing gaps. The inventory accountant investigates each difference, corrects the records where needed and reports genuine losses, so the books reflect what is actually on the floor.
What qualifications does an Inventory Accountant need?
Most Inventory Accountant roles ask for a B.Com, M.Com or CMA Inter with inventory and valuation knowledge. Two to five years in inventory or accounts is usual, along with experience of an ERP inventory module such as SAP MM and comfort with physical verification and reconciliation.