Which document initiates a purchase by specifying items, quantities, and delivery dates?

• A. Purchase order
• B. Sales contract
• C. Invoice
• D. Packing slip

Answer: (A)

A purchase order is the formal request from the buyer to the supplier that lists the exact items, quantities, and delivery dates. It initiates the purchase by authorizing the supplier to fulfill the order and provides the baseline for price, terms, and delivery schedule. The other documents serve different roles: a sales contract outlines terms for a broader sale and may not specify a single, time-bound shipment; an invoice requests payment after delivery; a packing slip accompanies the shipment to verify what was sent.