Average Collection Period: Explained

Hi there fellow finance enthusiasts! As someone who has spent a considerable amount of time digging through financial statements and crunching numbers, there's one metric that I've often found myself coming back to - the average collection period.

Now, I know what you might be thinking - "wow, that sounds incredibly boring". But trust me, understanding your company's average collection period is essential for any business owner or finance professional.

What is the Average Collection Period?

At its core, the average collection period is a measure of how long it takes for a company to collect its accounts receivable. In simpler terms, it shows you how long it takes for your customers to pay their bills.

So why does this matter? Well, a high average collection period can indicate that your company is struggling to collect payments from customers, which can ultimately lead to cash flow issues and financial instability. On the other hand, a low average collection period means that your customers are paying you quickly, which is a good sign for your company's financial health.

How is the Average Collection Period Calculated?

The formula to calculate the average collection period is as follows:

Average Collection Period = (Accounts Receivable / Total Credit Sales) x Number of Days in Period

For example, let's say that your company had $100,000 in accounts receivable and $500,000 in total credit sales over a 90 day period. The calculation would be:

Average Collection Period = ($100,000 / $500,000) x 90 days = 18 days

This means that, on average, it takes your company 18 days to collect payments from customers.

What Can Affect the Average Collection Period?

There are a few factors that can impact a company's average collection period:

• Industry norms: Depending on the type of business you're in, the average collection period may be longer or shorter. For example, a company in the construction industry may have a longer average collection period due to the nature of the work.
• Payment terms: The payment terms you offer your customers can impact the average collection period. If you offer longer payment terms (e.g. Net 60), it may take longer for customers to pay their bills.
• Collection efforts: If your company doesn't have a strong collection process in place, it may take longer to collect payments from customers.
• Economic factors: In times of financial hardship, customers may take longer to pay their bills, which can impact the average collection period.

How Can You Improve Your Average Collection Period?

If you find that your company's average collection period is higher than you'd like it to be, there are a few steps you can take to improve it:

• Tighten up your payment terms: Consider offering shorter payment terms (e.g. Net 30) to encourage customers to pay their bills more quickly.
• Implement a collection process: Make sure that your company has a clear process in place for following up with customers who haven't paid their bills on time.
• Offer incentives for early payment: Consider offering discounts or other incentives for customers who pay their bills early.
• Stay on top of invoicing: Make sure that you're invoicing customers promptly and accurately to minimize any delays in payment.

Final Thoughts

If you've made it this far, congrats! Understanding the average collection period may not be the most glamorous aspect of finance, but it's a crucial metric for any business owner or finance professional to know. By keeping an eye on your company's average collection period and taking steps to improve it, you can ensure that your company stays financially healthy and stable.

Thanks for reading, and happy number crunching!