Cycle counting is a method of inventory control designed to ensure that an organization’s inventory accuracy remains at an acceptable level. It is an ongoing, systematic process in which specific categories of inventory are counted and reconciled on a regular basis throughout the year. In contrast, physical inventory is an intensive one-time count of all items within a company’s inventory. This count usually takes place during a particular period or time frame such as an end-of-year count or after the implementation of new software. Physical inventories require setting aside significant organizational resources for accurate account of stock levels. By using cycle counts instead, organizations can track inventory more regularly and efficiently, allowing them to stay ahead of their competitors.