Watch a video version of this tutorial here, or continue reading below

Introduction: stock takes aren't just for the warehouse team

Ever run a profit report and something doesn’t add up?

If your inventory records don’t match your physical stock, your financials are already wrong, no matter how organized your shelves look. Stock takes aren’t just operational cleanup. They’re financial checkpoints that directly impact your COGS, asset balances and gross margin.

At Fiskal, we help brands connect warehouse routines to finance-ready data. In this guide, Systems Specialist Ryan breaks down a stock take workflow in Cin7’s WMS app, including where teams go wrong, and how to set yourself up for clean, audit-ready inventory.

Step 1 - Choose where to start your stock take

Problem: You don't know where to begin, and your count ends up fragmented.
Fix: Start from the right place depending on scope and purpose.

Option A: Start from Cin7 Core (Desktop)

Use this method for scheduled or finance-linked stock takes.

• Navigate to Inventory → Stocktake → New Stocktake

• Set the effective date

• Choose the warehouse location

• Assign an expense account

• Apply filters by brand, tag, or category

Option B: Start from the WMS App

Use this for quick zone-level counts.

• Open the WMS app

• Tap Stock Take → New

Fiskal Tip: Use desktop for month-end or audit-driven counts. Use the app when you need a fast, focused spot-check or team-led cycle count.

Problem: You try to count everything at once.
Impact: You lock the whole warehouse, interrupting fulfilment and purchasing.
Fix: Narrow the scope using bins, tags, or categories.

In the WMS App:

• Choose what to count:

  • Specific bins

  • Assigned zones

  • Filter by brand or product tags

Heads-up: once a stock take starts, Cin7 locks the counted inventory: sales orders, POs and assemblies are paused until the take is completed.

Step 2 - Set scope: full location or specific zones

Step 3 - Scan and count inventory

Now, go bin by bin, scanning or entering counts depending on SKU type.

• Scan barcodes for serialized or high-value items

• Enter counts manually for bulk SKUs (e.g., screws or cables)

Example:
Cin7 expects 179 units. You count 590. Enter 590 and continue.

• Entry mode: barcode scanning. Best for: serialized/high-value SKUs. Why it works: full traceability and audit trail.

• Entry mode: manual entry. Best for: bulk or low-cost items. Why it works: fast and efficient.

Fiskal Tip: Configure WMS by zone. Enforce scanning in sensitive areas, but allow manual entry where speed matters.

Step 4 - Review variances before you finalize

Problem: You finalize without reviewing, only to find major discrepancies later.
Fix: Use Cin7's variance view to review and approve before syncing.

• Tap Finish

• Cin7 compares expected vs. counted quantities

• Review for:

  • Overages (inventory gain)

  • Shortages (write-downs)

  • Uncounted items (treated as 0)

Fiskal Insight: Recurring variances often signal deeper issues, like duplicate SKUs, bad bin mapping, or staff skipping barcode scans.

Step 5 - Finalize the stock take and sync to Cin7 Core

After reviewing, tap Approve in the WMS app.

Then in the desktop:

• Go to Inventory → Stocktake → Completed

• View system-calculated adjustments

Accounting impact:

• Decreases → Booked to your Inventory Write-Off or COGS expense account

• Increases → Raise your inventory asset value

Accounting Reminder: Double-check that your stocktake accounts match your COGS structure, or you could accidentally skew margin reporting.

Step 6 - Review the audit trail

After finalizing, Cin7 keeps a full log of the session.

In the desktop app:

• Open the completed stock take

• Review:

  • SKU-level variances

  • Who counted what

  • System-created adjustment entries

Example:

• Expected: 600 Blue Gel Pens

• Counted: 590

• Adjustment: -10, linked to user and time stamp

Step 7 - Stock take best practices from the field

Mini case: $45K in variance, solved

One brand came to Fiskal with a monthly stock variance over $45,000, and no clear cause.

Fiskal fix:

• Barcode audit across all SKUs

• Role-based SOPs to fix handoff issues

• Mandatory scan rules across zones

Outcome:

• Variance dropped to <2%

• Month-end close sped up by 3 days

• Auditors signed off without a hitch

Fiskal insight: Bad stock takes often reveal broader system issues, like disconnected 3PLs, bad bin maps, or untrained staff. Fix the workflow and the numbers follow.

Still guessing at your inventory value?

If your stocktake results don’t match your books, or cleanup takes longer than the count itself, it’s time for a workflow review.

Our team will audit your WMS configuration, bin logic, and finance mappings, so your next count is fast, clean, and reconciliation-ready.

📞 Or call us directly: (954) 415-7895

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