What is a primary goal of conducting inventory audits?

Conducting inventory audits serves the primary goal of ensuring accuracy between physical stock and recorded inventory. This process involves verifying that the actual quantity of goods on hand matches what is documented in the inventory system. Accurate inventory records are crucial for effective operations, as discrepancies can lead to problems such as stockouts, overstocking, and financial inaccuracies.

By identifying any discrepancies during an audit, organizations can take corrective actions to improve their inventory control processes, thereby optimizing their overall supply chain and operations. This is essential for maintaining efficient inventory management, which directly impacts profitability and customer service levels.

The other options, while important in their own right, do not directly pertain to the main aim of an inventory audit. Forecasting sales trends relates more to analysis and prediction rather than stock verification. Enhancing customer satisfaction, although a critical business objective, is a broader outcome that may be influenced by inventory accuracy but is not the primary goal of audits themselves. Identifying potential new products is a process related to market research and product development, separate from the verification of existing inventory levels.