Launch offer — 25% off with code LAUNCH-25 See plans →
Microlesson · 5-min read

Receipt and Inspection of Materials — GRN and Material Returned Note

## Receipt and Inspection of Materials

When materials arrive against a Purchase Order, the receiving / store department takes charge and inspects them.

The flow:

1. Purchase execution — PO issued, any advance paid.

2. Delivery — materials arrive with invoice and supporting documents.

3. Receiving department takes charge and begins inspection.

4. Inspection — materials checked for conformity with the PO in quality and quantity.

5. If materials are OK → a Goods Received Note (GRN) is issued and materials are added to inventory.

6. If materials are defective / incorrect → they are returned to the vendor with a Material Returned Note (MRN).

### Goods Received Note (GRN)

  • Prepared only when materials are received in good condition and match the purchase order.
  • Prepared by the Receiving Department.
  • Also called Receiving Report, Material Inward Note, or GRN.
  • Prepared in four copies (quadruplicate), distributed to:

1. Purchase Department

2. Store / Indenting Department

3. Receiving Department

4. Accounting Department

  • Acts as the official record of accepted goods for inventory and accounts.

### Material Returned Note (MRN)

Sometimes materials must be returned to the supplier after being received in the factory.

  • If the materials were never recorded in the receiving report or store ledger → no accounting adjustment is needed.
  • If the materials have already been recorded → a Material Returned Note (Material Outward Return Note) must be prepared so their value is excluded from the Stores / Material Account.
  • Purpose: documented proof of return, keeping inventory and accounting records accurate.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Confusing the GRN (goods accepted, added to inventory) with the MRN (goods returned to the vendor).
  • Assuming every return needs an accounting adjustment — adjustment is required only if the material was already recorded in the books.
  • Forgetting the GRN is prepared in quadruplicate and distributed to four departments (purchase, store, receiving, accounting).
Reference:
Now that you've read this — what's next?
Move from understanding → mastery in 3 clicks. Each option below picks up from this lesson's topic.
Start 15-min diagnostic