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Inventory Management Written Inventory

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Inventory Management Written Inventory

This Inventory Management Written Inventory (the Agreement) is made and entered into effective as of between:

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Client owns, leases or otherwise controls certain tangible assets and inventory described herein and requires formal written inventory management services to record, control, and reconcile such assets; and

WHEREAS, Service Provider has the expertise, personnel, systems, and procedures to perform inventory counting, tracking, reconciliation and reporting under the terms set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their respective responsibilities, the scope of inventory services, and the procedures for adjustments, confidentiality, payment and termination.

SCOPE OF WORK

Services will include physical inventory counts, maintenance of an itemized inventory ledger, periodic reconciliation, reporting of shortages or overages, documentation of adjustments, coordination with Client for disposition of obsolete items, and reasonable access to inventory locations and records.

INVENTORY LIST

The following inventory was counted and recorded pursuant to the Scope of Work. Additional lines may be attached as an addendum and incorporated by reference.

No.
Description
Quantity
Unit Value
Total Value
Location / Condition

PAYMENT TERMS

Client shall pay Service Provider for inventory management services as follows:

Late payments shall incur interest at the rate of per month or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is less. Client is responsible for reasonable collection costs and attorney fees for delinquent payments.

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement commences on and shall continue until unless earlier terminated in accordance with this section.

Either party may terminate for convenience upon days' prior written notice. Termination for cause may be effected immediately upon material breach by the other party if the breaching party fails to cure within a commercially reasonable period following written notice.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Service Provider and Client each acknowledge that inventory records, pricing, customer lists, and related operational data are Confidential Information. Each party shall (a) hold such Confidential Information in strict confidence, (b) use Confidential Information only to perform obligations under this Agreement, and (c) not disclose Confidential Information to third parties except to employees, agents or contractors who have a need to know and who are bound by confidentiality obligations no less protective than those herein. Confidentiality obligations survive termination of this Agreement for a period of three (3) years.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state identified below without regard to conflict of law principles. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of state and federal courts located in the chosen jurisdiction unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, including all attachments and addenda executed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, whether written or oral. Any amendments must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

INVENTORY RECONCILIATION AND AUDIT

Inventory counts shall be performed at the following frequency: Monthly Quarterly Annual

ADJUSTMENTS, LOSS AND LIABILITY

Adjustments to recorded quantities or values must be documented in writing, signed by authorized representatives of both parties when practical, and accompanied by supporting evidence. Client retains title to inventory unless otherwise agreed in writing. Service Provider shall exercise reasonable care in custody of inventory and shall be liable for loss or damage resulting from its negligence, wilful misconduct, or breach of this Agreement, subject to any insurance or limitation of liability described below.

CERTIFICATION

By signing below, the undersigned parties certify, under penalty of perjury where applicable, that the inventory recorded above is accurate to the best of their knowledge as of the date of count and that they have authority to enter into this Agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.

Client:

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Service Provider / Inventory Manager:

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Inventory Management Written Inventory Is

An Inventory Management Written Inventory is a formal, itemized record of physical or digital assets used to track ownership, location, condition, and value. Organizations use it to support accounting, insurance, audit readiness, asset lifecycle decisions, and regulatory compliance. The document typically lists asset identifiers, descriptions, purchase dates, cost basis, custodial responsibility, storage location, and disposal history. When maintained as a written inventory, the record provides a single source of truth for internal controls, supports financial reporting requirements, and reduces risk from loss, misplacement, or inaccurate asset valuation.

Why a Written Inventory Matters for Operations and Compliance

A clear written inventory improves financial accuracy, supports insurance and audit inquiries, and helps manage asset lifecycles while reducing loss and duplication.

Why a Written Inventory Matters for Operations and Compliance

Who Typically Completes an Inventory Management Written Inventory

Collaboration between operational and financial teams ensures records are accurate, auditable, and aligned with internal control policies.

  • Inventory Manager — Prepares and updates item lists, assigns locations, and verifies counts during physical audits.
  • Finance or Accounting — Uses the inventory for capitalization, depreciation schedules, and audit reconciliation.
  • Facilities or IT Custodian — Records custody, maintenance history, and disposition details for each asset.

Core Sections of an Effective Inventory Management Written Inventory

A professional inventory includes standardized fields and supporting schedules to make the record actionable and auditable.

Asset ID

Unique identifier such as barcode or serial number used to avoid duplicates and enable quick lookup across systems.

Description

Concise item description including model, make, size, or software version to clarify exactly what the record represents.

Location

Physical or logical storage location (room, building, data center, cloud tenant) updated after moves or transfers.

Acquisition

Purchase date, vendor, invoice reference, and cost basis needed for capitalization, depreciation, and warranty claims.

Condition

Current state (new, good, fair, poor) and last inspection date to inform maintenance and replacement decisions.

Custodian

Assigned owner or responsible party, with contact details and departmental code for accountability and sign-off procedures.

Required Fields to Capture

Identifier: Serial or tag
Item Name: Clear title
Acquired Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Cost Value: Dollar amount
Location: Room/building
Responsible: Name/title

Step-by-Step: Completing the Written Inventory

Follow a consistent, repeatable sequence to assemble a reliable inventory record and reduce reconciliation errors.

  • 01
    Gather source documents: Collect invoices, purchase orders, and asset tags.
  • 02
    Assign identifiers: Create unique serials or barcodes for each item.
  • 03
    Record attributes: Enter description, location, custodian, cost, and date.
  • 04
    Validate counts: Conduct physical verification and note discrepancies.

Configuring an Online Inventory Workflow

Set up fields, routing, and verification rules before bulk uploads or eSubmission to ensure consistent data capture.

Field Configuration
Asset ID field Required, unique validation
Location field Dropdown of standardized codes
Custodian field Auto-complete from directory
Audit trail Enable timestamps and change history

Where the Inventory Record Goes After Completion

Trusted routing and storage ensure the inventory is accessible for audits, finance, and operations while preserving an audit trail.

  • Inventory System: Primary record stored in asset management database.
  • Accounting: Copies for capitalization and depreciation schedules.
  • Insurance: Claims copy included with policy documentation.
  • Archive: Long-term retention in secure storage.

Technical Considerations for eSubmission and Signing

Ensure platform security aligns with organizational policies and retention rules before eSubmission or digital signing.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX, XLSX supported
  • Integrations: Connects to ERP and cloud storage
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or SSO options

Typical Timing and Audit Deadlines

Establish a schedule for counts, reconciliation, and reporting to meet accounting and regulatory timelines.

Quarterly cycle counts:

Perform partial counts every three months for high-risk items.

Annual full audit:

Complete a comprehensive inventory reconciliation once per fiscal year.

Depreciation review:

Align asset listing with year-end financial close procedures.

Disposition recording:

Record retirements immediately upon disposal or sale.

Insurance updates:

Update schedule after material acquisitions or disposals.

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

  • Inconsistent identifiers: using multiple ID schemes leads to duplicate records and reconciliation failures during audits.
  • Incomplete acquisition data: missing invoices or dates complicate capitalization and tax treatments for depreciation.
  • Location drift: failing to update location after moves creates lost asset searches and inaccurate insurance schedules.
  • Unverified condition status: not inspecting items before listing causes incorrect impairment, maintenance, or disposal decisions.

Risks and Potential Consequences of an Incorrect Inventory

Audit adjustments: Restatements or adjustments by auditors
Tax exposure: Incorrect depreciation or deductions
Insurance denial: Claims rejected for incomplete schedules
Warranty loss: Invalidated warranty claims
Operational delays: Procurement or maintenance disruptions
Compliance breaches: Failure to meet regulatory recordkeeping

Practical Examples of Written Inventory Use

Real-world examples show how inventories support audits, insurance claims, and asset lifecycle decisions across organizations.

Martin Properties — Onsite Rentals

Property manager compiled a room-by-room inventory for each rental unit to speed turnover inspections

  • Implemented barcode tags for each appliance and fixture
  • This reduced tenant disputes over deposits and accelerated insurance claims processing by providing clear, dated evidence of item condition.

Tech Data — Enterprise IT Assets

IT operations established a centralized asset register to track servers and networking gear

  • Integrated serials with CMDB and procurement systems
  • The register improved warranty recovery, cut duplicate purchases, and provided auditors with consistent asset valuation records during fiscal close.

Authorized Signers and Approval Roles

Inventory Manager

Responsible for preparing and certifying the inventory. Typically performs physical counts, resolves discrepancies, and coordinates with finance and operations for verification. The manager signs to attest to the accuracy of the record and may be required to re-attest after material updates.

Finance Director

Approves the inventory for accounting and reporting purposes. Reviews cost and depreciation treatment, certifies capitalization entries, and authorizes disposal actions. Their signature binds the schedule to the organization’s financial statements and compliance filings.

Supporting Documents and Export Options

Attach or export supporting evidence to strengthen the inventory record and simplify external reviews.

Supporting Invoices

Keep purchase orders, invoices, and receipts linked to each asset record to substantiate cost basis and vendor warranties.

Photographic Evidence

Include dated photos of high-value items or items in poor condition for insurance and audit substantiation.

Export Formats

Provide exports in PDF, CSV, or XLSX for accounting systems, auditors, and insurance carriers.

Audit Trail

Ensure every change includes who, when, and why to support internal controls and external review.

How to Update or Revise an Existing Inventory

Maintain version control and approval steps when modifying inventory records to preserve auditability.

01

Identify change:

Document reason for update.
02

Record edit:

Update fields with date and user.
03

Attach evidence:

Add invoices or photos.
04

Notify stakeholders:

Inform finance and insurance.
05

Obtain approvals:

Collect required signatures.
06

Archive prior:

Retain previous version securely.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Inventory Documents

Compare typical plan features and pricing where eSignature is used to approve or certify inventory records; signNow is listed first for vendor parity.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions About Inventory Management Written Inventory

Answers to common questions about creating, signing, and storing a written inventory to prevent common errors and ensure compliance.


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