Materials movement accounting: A class 2 materials transaction represents movement from one production department to another within the plant. Which file typically does <em>not</em> require an update for this internal transfer?

Introduction / Context:
Manufacturing systems classify material transactions to standardize accounting and control. Class 1 transactions (such as receipts and issues) change on-hand balances, whereas class 2 transactions record internal moves between departments or work centers. Understanding which records change during each class avoids double-counting and ensures accurate cost tracking.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Class 2 = internal movement from one production department to another.
• No purchase or sale occurs; total plant on-hand quantity is unchanged.
• Routing and departmental responsibility for work-in-process (WIP) may change.

Concept / Approach:
Because the total physical quantity in the plant remains the same, the inventory master's on-hand balance typically does not change. However, cost centers and work orders need updates: the move transfers WIP responsibility and progresses the job along its routing, affecting departmental load and potentially the operation-level cost accumulation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify affected control dimensions: department (cost center) and job routing (work order).Recognize that class 2 movement changes “where” the item is, not “how much” exists overall.Conclude that the inventory file’s total on-hand does not change, while cost center and work order tracking do.

Verification / Alternative check:
Shop-floor control systems record move tickets to update operation status and responsible department, while inventory quantity updates occur during receipts, issues, or adjustments (class 1).

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Cost center file: Must reflect which department now holds the WIP.
• Work order file: Must reflect progress to the next operation and timestamps.
• All/None of the above: Not applicable because exactly one of the listed master files typically remains unchanged in quantity terms.

Common Pitfalls:
Accidentally decrementing and incrementing plant-wide inventory for an internal move, causing spurious transactions and reconciliation issues.

Final Answer:
inventory file