In theory, inventory adjustments and variance transactions should never need to be done except for occasional damaged item. The reality is that most users of the inventory control module make adjustments on a regular basis. Even the stock count feature generates variances for discrepancies between the actual count and the count in GP. If everything were entered completely correctly, with no timing issues (for example, an item being shipped between the time the stock count report was created and the user counted the stock), GP would always be completely accurate and completely in balance with the General Ledger. Unfortunately, we live the real world, where stuff happens and people get sidetracked and make mistakes.

Microsoft Dynamics GP introduced Reason Codes in GP 2013. These reason codes enable GP users to explain why an adjustment or variance is made, even using different GL account numbers to record the entry.

Since we end up making...