classix / Solutions / Inventory sampling with the GESTIN-77 App Suite / Explanations on the inventory procedure
The inventory sampling is, according to §241 Paragraph 1 of the German Commercial Code (HGB), an inventory simplification procedure approved since January 1, 1977 to replace the full inventory at the end of the year with recognised mathematical-statistical procedures. A distinction is made between extrapolation procedures using stratification and the sequential test.
The Institute of Auditors (IDW) published a detailed set of rules in 1981 and the Working Group for Economic Administration (AWV) also published supplementary explanations, to which we refer in our explanations.
§241 para. 1 HGB
“When drawing up the inventory, the stock of assets may also be determined by type, quantity and value using recognised mathematical-statistical methods on the basis of random samples. The procedure must comply with the principles of proper accounting. The informative value of the inventory drawn up in this way must be equivalent to the informative value of an inventory drawn up on the basis of a physical inventory.
This paragraph first of all allows inventory sampling. However, the following conditions are imposed for this:
Simplified inventory procedures are also recognized by the Code of Obligations OR 9581 in Switzerland and the Corporate Code §192 para. 4 UGB in Austria.
In companies in Eastern European countries, the use of inventory sampling is currently only possible if the accounting is carried out in the home countries Germany, Austria or Switzerland.
In all other countries of the EU clarification and coordination with the auditors and/or the tax authorities is required.
In addition to the above-mentioned generally applicable legal principles and the recommendations of the IDW for carrying out a physical inventory – and in particular an inventory sampling – organizational measures must also be taken to ensure the correctness of these transactions.
“It must be checked whether the population is clearly defined. In doing so, it must be taken into account whether – depending on the design of the internal control system – perishable, particularly valuable and other items not to be included in the sample are included in the sample”. (IDW, 1981, P. 76)
According to (IDW, 1981, p. 63): “Warehouses with inventory management systems of varying reliability should be treated as separate inventory populations”. It should be noted here that (IDW, 1981, p. 63f) “the individual elements may only differ from each other with regard to the characteristic value to be examined”. In any case, a clear delimitation of the population must be made before the inventory sampling is applied.
In order to exclude particularly high and particularly low values from the inventory sampling and thus reduce the risk of the physical inventory, a full inventory is carried out for the border areas. This includes, on the one hand, all physical inventory items without a target quantity and, on the other hand, the 5% most valuable items, which in most warehouses make up approximately 50% of the warehouse. In this way we meet the requirement defined in (IDW, 1981, p. 69): “In general, due to the “warehouse phenomenon”, a full inventory of 3 to 5% of the warehouse items will be sufficient to cover 45 to 50% of the total value of the warehouse collective”.
Each element of a population must have the chance to be selected in a random sample. The way in which elements are selected is determined by mathematical-statistical methods. For the sample size, the mathematical-statistical methods define a minimum with which the desired statement probability is maintained.
The randomness of the sample is also important in this context, since (IDW, 1981, p. 65) “only then can the rules of probability calculation be applied when evaluating the sample information.”
The mathematical-statistical sampling procedures generally assume a theoretical distribution model. The mathematical-statistical statement is then only correct if the underlying distribution model is fulfilled when the inventory is calculated on a sample basis. Therefore, you must check whether the requirements for the procedure used are met both before drawing the sample and after evaluating the sample. A documented structural analysis of the population and the sample can provide valuable information for this purpose. The procedures […] usually require the model of normal distribution ” (IDW, 1981, p. 67)
In (IDW, 1981, p. 65) is given for the drawing of samples:
“A prerequisite for the application of all mathematical sampling procedures is that the individual elements of a sample are randomly selected from the individual elements (storage positions) of a precisely defined population (storage collective) […]. This means that
The selection procedure may be a lottery, random number procedure, systematic selection with random start, final number procedure, etc.”.
So there is the free random selection and the stratified random selection.
With regard to the total value, this must be determined with a confidence level of 95% except for a deviation of 1%.
The Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer (IDW, 1981, p. 68) describes a number of 100 samples as minimum: “In the mean value estimation, for example, the sample size should generally not be less than 100 sample elements in the case of stratified extrapolation and 250-300 sample elements in the case of bound extrapolation”.
According to the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für wirtschaftliche Verwaltung e.V. (AWV, 1978, p. 20), 2% of the total size of 𝑁 is also regarded as the minimum for the size of the sample 𝑛: “For the size of the sample n from the items which are taken and evaluated by random sampling […] the principle of minimum [sic] for n from N 2% of the items normally applies for safety reasons.”
“Due to the extrapolation of the results obtained by the random sample, increased demands must be made on the recording work. The physical recording should therefore be planned, carried out and monitored with particular care”. (IDW, 1981, P. 62). Always full recordings should be made (IDW, 1981, p. 63):
In addition, (IDW, 1981, p. 69) provides that the most valuable 3 to 5% of the warehouse should be fully stocked “in order to cover 45 to 50% of the total value of the warehouse collective.”
If the actual values deviate too much from the book values, i.e. if the inventory reliability is too low, the inventory must be discarded even if the total value is permissible. The physical inventory must also be rejected if there is a deviation greater than 3% with a probability of 95%. (IDW, 1981, p. 72f).
“If a mathematical-statistical test confirms the null hypothesis (“inventory accounting reliable”), the inventory accounting can be taken over as the starting point for the inventory. However, even in this procedure, this is only permissible if there is no doubt about the informative value of the inventory accounting (functionality of the internal control system, number and amount of individual differences, etc.).” (IDW, 1981, P. 75).
Sequential tests are suitable for warehouses where the accuracy is very high. The sample size ideally corresponds to the minimum sample quantity (depending on parameters – usually 35 items), independent of the total quantity of stock items. If there are deviations from the target quantity, additional samples must be taken and the sample quantity is increased. You should note this, since the effort involved is theoretically unlimited. Therefore, in an unfavorable situation, this can be higher than the effort required for a full inventory.
Telecommunications company
Meter management of the technical field service
“IntraTrack is the short form of Intranet Tracking. It is used to manage all test and measurement equipment used by Deutsche Telekom’s technical field service in/via the Deutsche Telekom intranet. It has been like this since 2003.
As with any application, user requirements grow over time (especially in terms of ergonomics), the boundary conditions change due to organizational changes – and everything always has to be implemented very suddenly.
Then came IntraTrack² from ClassiX!
The schedule was tight: The new, object-oriented data model was already installed on 16 December and accepted on 21 December 2016.
Since March 2017, the demand inquiry was already running in IntraTrack² in live operation, followed shortly afterwards by the delivery of new devices. From November 3rd on IntraTrack² was fully online.
The agreed production date for IntraTrack² was kept, after acceptance on December 1, 2017, regular operation was given.
The core element is the lifecycle management with test equipment monitoring (calibration/maintenance) as well as service in case of malfunction and spare parts and accessories orders. This also includes the permanent inventory and, at the end, scrapping..
IntraTrack² and IntraTrackplietsch – the Smart Device version for the technician on site – are constantly being ergonomically optimized and expanded. The supply of the technical field service with testing/measuring equipment is 100% guaranteed.
With ClassiX we have gained a partner who competently meets our requirements in an agile approach – and continues to do so – quickly.”.
Horst Sitz, Project Manager Deutsche Telekom AG, October 2019
Shipbuilding company
GESTIN
Inventory simplification and inventory facilitation with software for inventory sampling
Standard
Automotive supplier
GESTIN
Inventory simplification and inventory facilitation with software for inventory sampling
Customer-specific adaptations to extend the information of the parts master from various sources.
“We have been using inventory sampling in the company since the 1980s. In 2014 we carried out the inventory for the first time with the new software GESTIN from ClassiX. We were able to use the new features easily and efficiently after a short period of getting used to it. In addition, the support department of ClassiX offers a great service, which has always supported us quickly and uncomplicatedly in all questions. I would like to thank you very much for this. It was the right decision to choose ClassiX.”
Uwe Krause
Pharmacy Cooperative
GESTIN
Inventory simplification and inventory facilitation with software for inventory sampling
Fully automated integration into the inventory processes of the host system.