Final answer:
The purpose of having two employees take physical inventory is to ensure accuracy, prevent errors or fraud, and provide a check and balance system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of having two employees take physical inventory is to ensure accuracy and prevent errors or fraud. By having multiple employees involved, there is a lower chance of mistakes being made or intentional manipulation of the inventory data. Each employee can independently count and verify the items, and their counts can be compared to identify any discrepancies.
For example, if one employee accidentally counts an item twice, while the other counts it only once, the discrepancy can be spotted and corrected. This helps in maintaining the integrity of the inventory records and minimizing stock discrepancies.
In addition, having two employees also provides a check and balance system. If one employee is intentionally manipulating the inventory count, the other employee can act as a witness and report the misconduct. This helps to deter fraudulent activities and maintain the accuracy and reliability of the inventory records.