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Stock Counts

Stock counts help you compare the stock that Mathership expects with the quantity that is actually available in a storage unit. Use stock counts when you want to check your inventory, correct differences, or prepare a full inventory count.

Count physical stock

Enter counted quantities for ingredients in a selected storage unit.

Review variances

Compare counted stock with book stock before posting adjustments.

Adjust automatically

Let Mathership create inventory adjustments when posted counts differ from book stock.

What a stock count does

During a stock count, you select a storage unit and enter the counted quantity for one or more ingredients. When the stock count is posted, Mathership compares the counted quantity with the current book stock. Difference = Counted quantity − Book stock If there is a difference, Mathership creates an inventory adjustment.

Example

After posting the count, the book stock matches the counted stock.

How to open a stock count

Stock counts are started from a storage unit’s detail page. A storage unit can be, for example:
  • Main storage
  • Bar storage
  • Kitchen storage
  • Dry storage
  • Freezer
1

Open storage units

Go to ManageStorage Units.
2

Open a storage unit

Select the storage unit you want to count.
3

Start stock count

Click Stock count to open the stock count sheet.

Session behavior

When you open the stock count sheet, Mathership automatically starts a count session for the selected storage unit. If there is already an open count for that storage unit, Mathership opens the existing session instead of creating a new one. Any lines you previously added are loaded back. This prevents duplicate open counts for the same storage unit. The sheet header shows the storage unit name and when the session was started.

Stock count statuses

Only open stock counts can be edited. Once a count is posted, it is closed.

Adding ingredients to the count

The bottom of the stock count sheet has a form for adding new lines. For each ingredient:
1

Select an ingredient

Choose the ingredient you want to count.
2

Enter the counted quantity

Enter the physical quantity you counted.
3

Choose the unit

Use the base unit or a packaging unit if available.
4

Add the line

Add the ingredient to the current stock count session.

Entering quantities in packaging units

If an ingredient has packaging levels configured, you can enter the counted quantity in those units instead of the base unit. Example for flour with packaging levels:
  • 1 Box = 10 kg
  • 1 Bag = 1 kg
When the entered unit differs from the base unit, the sheet shows the converted base quantity in real time so you can confirm the conversion is correct before adding the line.

Count lines table

Once lines are added, they appear in the table at the top of the sheet. Each row shows:

Variance badge

The variance badge updates in real time as you type.

Editing a count line

Click the pencil icon on any line to edit its quantity inline. The row switches to edit mode showing:
  • A quantity input field
  • A unit dropdown, using the base unit or packaging levels
  • A numpad toggle button
The variance badge updates live as you type. Click the save icon to confirm or the X icon to cancel.

Updating counted quantities

If you add the same ingredient again, Mathership updates the existing counted quantity instead of creating a duplicate line.

Removing an ingredient from the count

Click the trash icon on any line to remove it from the count. This only removes the line from the current count session. It does not delete the ingredient itself and does not change stock. Stock is only changed when the count is posted.

Posting the stock count

When all quantities are entered and reviewed, click Post count in the footer. The Post count button is disabled if there are no lines in the count. When you post a stock count, Mathership:
  1. Calculates the difference for each counted ingredient
  2. Creates adjustment ledger entries for non-zero differences
  3. Updates the stock balance through the inventory ledger
  4. Marks the stock count session as POSTED
  5. Saves the posting date and time

Adjustment logic

When an adjustment is created, Mathership uses the following formula: Difference = Counted quantity − Current book stock If the difference is zero, no ledger entry is created.

Cost value of adjustments

When an adjustment is created, Mathership uses the weighted average cost of the ingredient. The weighted average cost is calculated from previous receipt entries. If no receipt cost exists yet, the cost value may be 0.

Example posting result

Before posting: After posting:

Partial counts

You can use stock counts for full inventory or for partial checks.

Stock count workflow

The typical workflow is:
1

Open a storage unit

Go to ManageStorage Units and open a storage unit.
2

Open Stock count

Click Stock count.
3

Add ingredients

Add ingredients and enter counted quantities.
4

Review variances

Use the variance badge to review differences while counting.
5

Correct lines if needed

Edit any lines where quantities need correction.
6

Post the count

Click Post count.
7

Review adjustments

Mathership creates inventory adjustments where needed.

What happens after posting

After posting, Mathership:
  1. Calculates the difference for each counted ingredient
  2. Creates ADJUST ledger entries for non-zero differences
  3. Updates the stock balance through the inventory ledger
  4. Marks the stock count session as POSTED
  5. Saves the posting date and time
The adjustment entries appear in the inventory ledger with transaction type ADJUST and can be reviewed there.

Best practices

Use clear storage units

Set up clear storage units before starting stock counts so counted stock matches the physical location.

Count in packaging units

If your team counts in boxes, bags, or crates, use packaging units to reduce errors.

Review variance before posting

The live variance helps you spot obvious mistakes before adjustments are posted.

Post only after review

Once posted, the stock movement becomes part of the inventory ledger.

Use partial counts regularly

Smaller spot checks keep stock values more accurate during daily operations.

Use the numpad on touchscreens

The calculator icon in the quantity input toggles a numpad for easier tablet entry.

Storage Units

Learn how storage units are used to separate stock by location.

Ingredients

Learn how ingredients, base units, and stock quantities work.

Receiving Orders

Learn how received vendor orders increase inventory stock.

Waste

Learn how waste postings reduce inventory stock.
Last modified on June 7, 2026