Which technique involves regularly counting a rotating subset of items to verify accuracy?

• A. Cycle counting
• B. Annual physical inventories
• C. Perpetual inventory records
• D. Random sample verification

Answer: (A)

Cycle counting is the technique being tested. It works by regularly counting small groups of items and rotating which items are counted so that over time every item gets checked. This keeps inventory records accurate without shutting down operations for a full stock take. Because counts are performed on a moving subset on a schedule, discrepancies are found and corrected promptly, and the process can be integrated with real-time perpetual inventory data to continually improve accuracy. Higher-priority or high-turn items are often counted more frequently, which makes the method efficient and rigorous.

Annual physical inventories require counting everything at once once a year, which is disruptive and infrequent. Perpetual inventory records track on-hand quantities continuously but don’t by themselves specify counting a rotating subset to verify accuracy. Random sample verification can be used to spot-check, but it lacks the systematic rotation of items over time that cycle counting provides to ensure ongoing coverage.