In the purchases system, what step follows the order placed?

In the purchases system, the step that logically follows the order placed is the receipt of goods. Once an order is placed with a supplier, the next action is to await the delivery of the ordered items. This is a critical part of the procurement process, as it ensures that the company receives the products it has ordered before moving on to further steps such as entering invoices, recording transactions, or making cash payments.

Receiving goods involves checking the delivery against the purchase order to confirm accuracy and quality. Any discrepancies, such as missing items or damaged goods, typically need to be resolved with the supplier at this stage. This process also ensures that the organization can maintain accurate inventory records before moving on to invoice processing or payment.

Thus, receiving the goods is an essential step in maintaining effective internal controls and accounting practices, as it ties directly into inventory management and establishes the groundwork for subsequent financial record-keeping.