diff --git a/erpnext/controllers/sales_and_purchase_return.py b/erpnext/controllers/sales_and_purchase_return.py
index 4ad3d5a656e..262bff7d640 100644
--- a/erpnext/controllers/sales_and_purchase_return.py
+++ b/erpnext/controllers/sales_and_purchase_return.py
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ from frappe.utils import cint, flt, format_datetime, get_datetime
 
 import erpnext
 from erpnext.stock.serial_batch_bundle import get_batches_from_bundle
-from erpnext.stock.serial_batch_bundle import get_serial_nos as get_serial_nos_from_bundle
 from erpnext.stock.utils import get_combine_datetime, get_incoming_rate, get_valuation_method
 
 
@@ -145,7 +144,7 @@ def validate_returned_items(doc):
 					ref.rate
 					and flt(d.rate) > ref.rate
 					and doc.doctype in ("Delivery Note", "Sales Invoice")
-					and get_valuation_method(ref.item_code) != "Moving Average"
+					and get_valuation_method(ref.item_code, doc.company) != "Moving Average"
 				):
 					frappe.throw(
 						_("Row # {0}: Rate cannot be greater than the rate used in {1} {2}").format(
diff --git a/erpnext/controllers/selling_controller.py b/erpnext/controllers/selling_controller.py
index 8b0a0f19f9b..f6b293605c4 100644
--- a/erpnext/controllers/selling_controller.py
+++ b/erpnext/controllers/selling_controller.py
@@ -524,7 +524,7 @@ class SellingController(StockController):
 			)
 
 			if not self.get("return_against") or (
-				get_valuation_method(d.item_code) == "Moving Average"
+				get_valuation_method(d.item_code, self.company) == "Moving Average"
 				and self.get("is_return")
 				and not item_details.has_serial_no
 				and not item_details.has_batch_no
@@ -535,7 +535,10 @@ class SellingController(StockController):
 				if (
 					not d.incoming_rate
 					or self.is_internal_transfer()
-					or (get_valuation_method(d.item_code) == "Moving Average" and self.get("is_return"))
+					or (
+						get_valuation_method(d.item_code, self.company) == "Moving Average"
+						and self.get("is_return")
+					)
 				):
 					d.incoming_rate = get_incoming_rate(
 						{
@@ -560,7 +563,7 @@ class SellingController(StockController):
 					not d.incoming_rate
 					and self.get("return_against")
 					and self.get("is_return")
-					and get_valuation_method(d.item_code) == "Moving Average"
+					and get_valuation_method(d.item_code, self.company) == "Moving Average"
 				):
 					d.incoming_rate = get_rate_for_return(
 						self.doctype, self.name, d.item_code, self.return_against, item_row=d
diff --git a/erpnext/patches.txt b/erpnext/patches.txt
index ea8bea587da..4cfc3d2a232 100644
--- a/erpnext/patches.txt
+++ b/erpnext/patches.txt
@@ -446,4 +446,5 @@ erpnext.patches.v16_0.add_new_stock_entry_types
 erpnext.patches.v15_0.set_asset_status_if_not_already_set
 erpnext.patches.v15_0.toggle_legacy_controller_for_period_closing
 erpnext.patches.v16_0.update_serial_batch_entries
-erpnext.patches.v16_0.set_company_wise_warehouses
\ No newline at end of file
+erpnext.patches.v16_0.set_company_wise_warehouses
+erpnext.patches.v16_0.set_valuation_method_on_companies
diff --git a/erpnext/patches/v16_0/set_valuation_method_on_companies.py b/erpnext/patches/v16_0/set_valuation_method_on_companies.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f1ea8064dcf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/erpnext/patches/v16_0/set_valuation_method_on_companies.py
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+import frappe
+
+
+def execute():
+	valuation_method = frappe.get_single_value("Stock Settings", "valuation_method")
+	for company in frappe.get_all("Company", pluck="name"):
+		frappe.db.set_value("Company", company, "valuation_method", valuation_method)
diff --git a/erpnext/setup/doctype/company/company.json b/erpnext/setup/doctype/company/company.json
index 32c89dc531d..546f2af8dc8 100644
--- a/erpnext/setup/doctype/company/company.json
+++ b/erpnext/setup/doctype/company/company.json
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@
   "enable_item_wise_inventory_account",
   "enable_provisional_accounting_for_non_stock_items",
   "default_inventory_account",
+  "valuation_method",
   "column_break_32",
   "stock_adjustment_account",
   "stock_received_but_not_billed",
@@ -890,6 +891,14 @@
    "fieldtype": "Check",
    "label": "Enable Item-wise Inventory Account"
   },
+  {
+   "default": "FIFO",
+   "fieldname": "valuation_method",
+   "fieldtype": "Select",
+   "label": "Default Stock Valuation Method",
+   "options": "FIFO\nMoving Average\nLIFO",
+   "reqd": 1
+  },
   {
    "fieldname": "default_wip_warehouse",
    "fieldtype": "Link",
diff --git a/erpnext/setup/doctype/company/company.py b/erpnext/setup/doctype/company/company.py
index 6656af2ef11..05b2044ac71 100644
--- a/erpnext/setup/doctype/company/company.py
+++ b/erpnext/setup/doctype/company/company.py
@@ -116,6 +116,7 @@ class Company(NestedSet):
 		transactions_annual_history: DF.Code | None
 		unrealized_exchange_gain_loss_account: DF.Link | None
 		unrealized_profit_loss_account: DF.Link | None
+		valuation_method: DF.Literal["FIFO", "Moving Average", "LIFO"]
 		website: DF.Data | None
 		write_off_account: DF.Link | None
 	# end: auto-generated types
@@ -166,6 +167,32 @@ class Company(NestedSet):
 		self.validate_parent_company()
 		self.set_reporting_currency()
 		self.validate_inventory_account_settings()
+		self.cant_change_valuation_method()
+
+	def cant_change_valuation_method(self):
+		doc_before_save = self.get_doc_before_save()
+		if not doc_before_save:
+			return
+
+		previous_valuation_method = doc_before_save.get("valuation_method")
+
+		if previous_valuation_method and previous_valuation_method != self.valuation_method:
+			# check if there are any stock ledger entries against items
+			# which does not have it's own valuation method
+			sle = frappe.db.sql(
+				"""select name from `tabStock Ledger Entry` sle
+				where exists(select name from tabItem
+					where name=sle.item_code and (valuation_method is null or valuation_method='')) and sle.company=%s limit 1
+			""",
+				self.name,
+			)
+
+			if sle:
+				frappe.throw(
+					_(
+						"Can't change the valuation method, as there are transactions against some items which do not have its own valuation method"
+					)
+				)
 
 	def validate_inventory_account_settings(self):
 		doc_before_save = self.get_doc_before_save()
diff --git a/erpnext/stock/doctype/serial_and_batch_bundle/serial_and_batch_bundle.py b/erpnext/stock/doctype/serial_and_batch_bundle/serial_and_batch_bundle.py
index ca7e3709b94..69b3abdc5ee 100644
--- a/erpnext/stock/doctype/serial_and_batch_bundle/serial_and_batch_bundle.py
+++ b/erpnext/stock/doctype/serial_and_batch_bundle/serial_and_batch_bundle.py
@@ -514,7 +514,7 @@ class SerialandBatchBundle(Document):
 		if hasattr(sn_obj, "stock_queue") and sn_obj.stock_queue:
 			stock_queue = parse_json(sn_obj.stock_queue)
 
-		val_method = get_valuation_method(self.item_code)
+		val_method = get_valuation_method(self.item_code, self.company)
 
 		for d in self.entries:
 			available_qty = 0
@@ -642,7 +642,7 @@ class SerialandBatchBundle(Document):
 	def set_incoming_rate_for_inward_transaction(self, row=None, save=False, prev_sle=None):
 		from erpnext.stock.utils import get_valuation_method
 
-		valuation_method = get_valuation_method(self.item_code)
+		valuation_method = get_valuation_method(self.item_code, self.company)
 
 		valuation_field = "valuation_rate"
 		if self.voucher_type in ["Sales Invoice", "Delivery Note", "Quotation"]:
diff --git a/erpnext/stock/report/stock_ageing/stock_ageing.py b/erpnext/stock/report/stock_ageing/stock_ageing.py
index e2cce6e99da..0f37b3f0116 100644
--- a/erpnext/stock/report/stock_ageing/stock_ageing.py
+++ b/erpnext/stock/report/stock_ageing/stock_ageing.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ def format_report_data(filters: Filters, item_details: dict, to_date: str) -> li
 		range_values = get_range_age(filters, fifo_queue, to_date, item_dict)
 
 		check_and_replace_valuations_if_moving_average(
-			range_values, details.valuation_method, details.valuation_rate
+			range_values, details.valuation_method, details.valuation_rate, filters.get("company")
 		)
 
 		row = [details.name, details.item_name, details.description, details.item_group, details.brand]
@@ -76,10 +76,12 @@ def format_report_data(filters: Filters, item_details: dict, to_date: str) -> li
 	return data
 
 
-def check_and_replace_valuations_if_moving_average(range_values, item_valuation_method, valuation_rate):
+def check_and_replace_valuations_if_moving_average(
+	range_values, item_valuation_method, valuation_rate, company
+):
 	if item_valuation_method == "Moving Average" or (
 		not item_valuation_method
-		and frappe.db.get_single_value("Stock Settings", "valuation_method") == "Moving Average"
+		and frappe.get_cached_value("Company", company, "valuation_method") == "Moving Average"
 	):
 		for i in range(0, len(range_values), 2):
 			range_values[i + 1] = range_values[i] * valuation_rate
diff --git a/erpnext/stock/report/stock_ledger_variance/stock_ledger_variance.py b/erpnext/stock/report/stock_ledger_variance/stock_ledger_variance.py
index 808afadd05a..97243d57001 100644
--- a/erpnext/stock/report/stock_ledger_variance/stock_ledger_variance.py
+++ b/erpnext/stock/report/stock_ledger_variance/stock_ledger_variance.py
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ def get_columns():
 def get_data(filters=None):
 	filters = frappe._dict(filters or {})
 	item_warehouse_map = get_item_warehouse_combinations(filters)
-	valuation_method = frappe.db.get_single_value("Stock Settings", "valuation_method")
+	valuation_method = frappe.get_cached_value("Company", filters.get("company"), "valuation_method")
 
 	data = []
 	if item_warehouse_map:
diff --git a/erpnext/stock/serial_batch_bundle.py b/erpnext/stock/serial_batch_bundle.py
index e7cbc8bceed..1fb5d1391aa 100644
--- a/erpnext/stock/serial_batch_bundle.py
+++ b/erpnext/stock/serial_batch_bundle.py
@@ -861,9 +861,9 @@ class BatchNoValuation(DeprecatedBatchNoValuation):
 		self.batchwise_valuation_batches = []
 		self.non_batchwise_valuation_batches = []
 
-		if get_valuation_method(self.sle.item_code) == "Moving Average" and frappe.get_single_value(
-			"Stock Settings", "do_not_use_batchwise_valuation"
-		):
+		if get_valuation_method(
+			self.sle.item_code, self.sle.company
+		) == "Moving Average" and frappe.get_single_value("Stock Settings", "do_not_use_batchwise_valuation"):
 			self.non_batchwise_valuation_batches = self.batches
 			return
 
diff --git a/erpnext/stock/stock_ledger.py b/erpnext/stock/stock_ledger.py
index 1801aeb2f9e..2c9e57afecb 100644
--- a/erpnext/stock/stock_ledger.py
+++ b/erpnext/stock/stock_ledger.py
@@ -563,7 +563,7 @@ class update_entries_after:
 
 		self.company = frappe.get_cached_value("Warehouse", self.args.warehouse, "company")
 		self.set_precision()
-		self.valuation_method = get_valuation_method(self.item_code)
+		self.valuation_method = get_valuation_method(self.item_code, self.company)
 
 		self.new_items_found = False
 		self.distinct_item_warehouses = args.get("distinct_item_warehouses", frappe._dict())
@@ -1087,7 +1087,7 @@ class update_entries_after:
 		avg_rate = 0.0
 
 		for d in sabb_data:
-			incoming_rate = get_incoming_rate_for_serial_and_batch(self.item_code, d, sn_obj)
+			incoming_rate = get_incoming_rate_for_serial_and_batch(self.item_code, d, sn_obj, self.company)
 			amount = incoming_rate * flt(d.qty)
 			tot_amt += flt(amount)
 			total_qty += flt(d.qty)
@@ -2398,7 +2398,7 @@ def get_serial_from_sabb(serial_and_batch_bundle):
 	)
 
 
-def get_incoming_rate_for_serial_and_batch(item_code, row, sn_obj):
+def get_incoming_rate_for_serial_and_batch(item_code, row, sn_obj, company):
 	if row.serial_no:
 		return abs(sn_obj.serial_no_incoming_rate.get(row.serial_no, 0.0))
 	else:
@@ -2406,7 +2406,7 @@ def get_incoming_rate_for_serial_and_batch(item_code, row, sn_obj):
 		if hasattr(sn_obj, "stock_queue") and sn_obj.stock_queue:
 			stock_queue = parse_json(sn_obj.stock_queue)
 
-		val_method = get_valuation_method(item_code)
+		val_method = get_valuation_method(item_code, company)
 
 		actual_qty = row.qty
 		if stock_queue and val_method == "FIFO" and row.batch_no in sn_obj.non_batchwise_valuation_batches:
diff --git a/erpnext/stock/utils.py b/erpnext/stock/utils.py
index bee190e13a1..b891e0744fc 100644
--- a/erpnext/stock/utils.py
+++ b/erpnext/stock/utils.py
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ def get_incoming_rate(args, raise_error_if_no_rate=True):
 
 		return batch_obj.get_incoming_rate()
 	else:
-		valuation_method = get_valuation_method(args.get("item_code"))
+		valuation_method = get_valuation_method(args.get("item_code"), args.get("company"))
 		previous_sle = get_previous_sle(args)
 		if valuation_method in ("FIFO", "LIFO"):
 			if previous_sle:
@@ -374,11 +374,15 @@ def get_avg_purchase_rate(serial_nos):
 
 
 @frappe.request_cache
-def get_valuation_method(item_code):
+def get_valuation_method(item_code, company=None):
 	"""get valuation method from item or default"""
 	val_method = frappe.get_cached_value("Item", item_code, "valuation_method")
 	if not val_method:
-		val_method = frappe.get_cached_doc("Stock Settings").valuation_method or "FIFO"
+		val_method = (
+			frappe.get_cached_value("Company", company, "valuation_method")
+			if company
+			else frappe.get_single_value("Stock Settings", "valuation_method") or "FIFO"
+		)
 	return val_method