Final answer:
The copy of a purchase order sent to the receiving department is blind to ensure that the quantities are counted and verified independently, reducing the risk of theft or fraud and improving accuracy in the receiving process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason why the copy of a purchase order that is sent to receiving should be a "blind" copy is to ensure an unbiased and accurate receiving process. When a receiving department gets a blind copy, it means that they receive a purchase order that does not include the quantity of items ordered. This practice is an internal control measure to prevent theft or fraud by making it impossible for receivers to know how much of an item is expected, and therefore, they must count and verify each item independently to ensure that the shipment matches the order.
Without the quantities listed, the blind receiving process requires the receivers to count each item received thoroughly. Discrepancies must be noticed and reported, supporting accountability and reducing the likelihood of errors that can occur from assuming the shipment is correct just because it matches the purchase order. This process ultimately protects the company's assets and encourages honest and accurate receiving practices.