Average collection period formula: ACP formula + calculator

The average collection period (ACP) is a key metric used to measure the efficiency of a company's credit and collection process. It represents the average number of days it takes for a company to collect its accounts receivable from the date of sale. This article will explore the ACP formula, its significance, and how to use an ACP calculator to gain insights into your company's cash flow management.

Average collection period definition

What does average collection period mean? The average collection period is an estimate of the number of days it takes for a company to collect its accounts receivable from the date of sale. It measures the efficiency of a company's credit and collection process and provides valuable insights into its cash flow management.

What is the average collection period in accounts receivable?

The average collection period indicates the average number of days it takes for a company to collect its accounts receivable from the date of sale. It measures the efficiency of a company's credit and collection process and provides valuable insights into its cash flow management.

The importance of accounts receivable collection period

For several reasons, keeping an accurate measurement of the accounts receivable collection period is vital for businesses. The accounts receivable collection period:

Gives a clear indication of how well the credit terms are performing

If the accounts receivable collection period is more extended than expected, this could indicate that customers don't pay on time. It's a good idea to review your balance sheet and credit terms to improve collection efforts.

Key performance metrics such as accounts receivable turnover ratio can measure your business's ability to collect payments in a timely manner, and is a reflection of how effective your credit terms are.

Helps to identify and address any payment problems quickly

Efficient management can be achieved by regularly monitoring the accounts receivable collection period. Businesses can spot any payment issues quickly and take action to improve the situation, improving their total net sales and ability to manage accounts receivable balances.

Allows for better cash flow forecasting

Knowing the accounts receivable collection period helps businesses make more accurate projections of when money will be received.

It can optimise your average collection period formula and provide a new performance metric to help you gauge business performance. Better cash flow means that you have enough cash to continue running your company.

Highlights any issues with your accounts receivable collection process

The accounts receivable collection period may be affected by several issues, such as changes in customer behaviour or problems with invoicing.

Identifying these issues and resolving them can lower the number of days in your company's average collection period, and will display how effectively your accounts receivable department is performing.

Makes it easier to manage customer accounts more effectively

Understanding the accounts receivable collection period makes it easier to take appropriate action to ensure that customers are paying on time.

If you don't receive payments in a timely manner, then it can be tough to calculate net credit sales.

Prevents cash flow issues by ensuring bills are being paid on time

By understanding the accounts receivable collection period, businesses can identify any issues that may lead to cash flow problems and take steps to address them.

The average collection period formula

The Average Collection Period also known as Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), is a critical financial metric that measures the average number of days a company takes to collect its accounts receivable. 

In essence, it gauges how efficiently a company manages its credit sales and collects payments from its customers.

Formula and calculation

The ACP formula for calculating the Average Collection Period is as follows:

ACP = (Average Accounts Receivable / Total Credit Sales) * 365

Where:

• Average Accounts Receivable: This is the average balance of accounts receivable over a specific period, usually a year. It can be calculated by adding the beginning and ending accounts receivable balances for the period and dividing the sum by 2.
• Total Credit Sales: This represents the total amount of sales made on credit during the same period.
• 365: This represents the number of days in a year.

Interpretation and significance

The ACP value indicates the average number of days it takes a company to collect its receivables. A lower ACP is generally preferable, as it suggests that the company is efficient in collecting its dues and has a shorter cash conversion cycle. 

A high ACP, on the other hand, may indicate that the company is facing difficulties in collecting its receivables, which can lead to cash flow problems and affect its financial health.

The formula for average collection period is:

How to calculate the average collection period for accounts receivable?

How do you calculate the average collection period? This section will delve into the process of calculating the average collection period for accounts receivable. This average days to collect receivables formula provides valuable insights into a company's cash flow management and overall financial health.

Gather the necessary data

To calculate the ACP, you will need the following information:

• Average accounts receivable balance: This can be calculated by adding the beginning and ending accounts receivable balances for the period and dividing the sum by 2.
• Net credit sales for the period: This is the total amount of sales made on credit during the period, excluding any sales returns or allowances.
• Number of days in the period: This is typically 365 days for a year, but it can also be adjusted for shorter or longer periods.

Calculate the Average Accounts Receivable Balance

If you only have the beginning and ending accounts receivable balances, you can calculate the average using the below days to collect accounts receivable formula:

Average Accounts Receivable = (Beginning Accounts Receivable + Ending Accounts Receivable) / 2

If you have access to accounts receivable balances for multiple points in time during the period, you can calculate a more accurate average by summing all the balances and dividing by the number of balances as part of the average collection period equation.

Calculate net credit sales for the period

Ensure that you are using the net credit sales figure, which excludes any sales returns, allowances, or cash sales. This information can usually be found in the company's income statement or accounts receivable aging report.

Apply the receivables collection period formula 

The accounts receivable collection period formula is as follows:

ACP = (Average Accounts Receivable / Net Credit Sales) * Number of Days in the Period

Interpret the results

The resulting ACP value represents the average number of days it takes the company to collect its receivables. Compare this value to industry benchmarks and the company's historical ACP to assess its collection efficiency.

Advanced Considerations

• Seasonality: If the company's sales are seasonal, the ACP may fluctuate throughout the year. Consider calculating the ACP for different periods to get a more accurate picture of collection efficiency.
• Customer segmentation: Analyze the ACP for different customer segments to identify areas for improvement in credit policies and collection efforts.
• Industry benchmarks: Compare the company's ACP to industry benchmarks to assess its relative performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Credit policies: Evaluate the company's credit policies and collection procedures to see if they are contributing to a high ACP.
• Economic conditions: Consider the impact of economic conditions on the company's ACP, as a downturn may lead to slower payments and a higher ACP.
  
  

Accounts receivable collection period example calculation

The formula for calculating your accounts receivable collection period is relatively simple: Take the total amount of accounts receivable at the beginning of a certain period, and divide it by the average net collection for that same period. This will give you your average collection period in days!

If you put that as a formula for a single year, it looks like this:

(average accounts receivable balance ÷ net credit sales ) x 365 = average collection period.

You can also essentially reverse the formula to get the same result:

365 ÷ (net credit sales ÷ average accounts receivable balance) = average collection period.

Average accounts receivable balance

As you might have noticed from the formula above, in order to work out your average collection period, you need to know your average accounts receivable balance.

Your average accounts receivable balance is the average amount of money that your customers owe you.

To work this out, you must total your accounts receivable at the start of each period and again at the end. Then, calculate the average by adding both amounts and dividing by two.

Turned into a formula, it looks like this:

(total accounts receivable balance at the beginning of the period + total accounts receivable balance at the end of the period) ÷ 2 = average accounts receivable balance.

What is a good average collection period?

A good average collection period (ACP) is generally considered to be around 30 to 45 days. However, this can vary depending on the industry, company size, and payment terms. 

A shorter ACP indicates that the company is efficient in collecting its receivables and has a shorter cash conversion cycle. A longer ACP may indicate that the company is facing difficulties in collecting its receivables, which can lead to cash flow problems and affect its financial health.

Factors that can affect the ACP include:

• Industry norms: Different industries have different average collection periods. For example, companies in the retail industry may have shorter ACPs than companies in the manufacturing industry.
• Company size: Larger companies may have more resources to dedicate to credit and collection efforts, which can result in a shorter ACP.
• Payment terms: Companies that offer longer payment terms to their customers may have a longer ACP.
• Customer base: Companies with a large number of small customers may have a longer ACP than companies with a few large customers.
  
  

How to improve your average collection period

A high average collection period (ACP) can strain your business's financial health by tying up cash flow and limiting your ability to invest in growth opportunities.  By implementing the following strategies, you can effectively reduce your ACP and improve your overall financial stability:

1. Incentivize early payments

• Offer early payment discounts:  Provide a small percentage discount to customers who pay their invoices within a specified period, such as 10 days. This can motivate customers to prioritize your invoice and improve your cash flow.
• Dynamic discounting: Implement a system where the discount offered decreases as the payment due date approaches. This encourages prompt payment while still providing some flexibility.

2. Optimize credit policies

• Tighten credit terms: Reduce the length of your payment terms, such as from 30 days to 15 days. This can accelerate the collection process and minimize the risk of late payments.
• Conduct credit checks: Before extending credit to new customers, perform thorough credit checks to assess their creditworthiness and payment history. This can help you identify high-risk customers and adjust your credit terms accordingly.
• Set credit limits: Establish credit limits for each customer based on their credit history and financial stability. This can help you manage your risk and avoid excessive exposure to bad debt.

3. Streamline invoicing and payment processes

• Automate invoicing: Utilize invoicing software to generate and send invoices automatically. This can reduce errors, save time, and ensure timely delivery of invoices.
• Offer multiple payment options: Provide a variety of payment options, such as credit card, ACH transfer, and online payment portals. This can make it easier for customers to pay and improve your collection rate.
• Send payment reminders: Implement a system to automatically send payment reminders to customers before and after the due date. This can help reduce late payments and improve your cash flow.

4. Implement a robust collections policy

• Clear payment expectations: Clearly communicate your payment terms and expectations to customers upfront. This can help avoid misunderstandings and reduce the risk of late payments.
• Escalation process: Establish a clear escalation process for overdue invoices, including phone calls, emails, and letters. This can help you proactively manage collections and recover outstanding debts.
• Late payment fees: Consider charging late payment fees for overdue invoices. This can incentivize timely payment and offset the costs associated with late collections.

5. Proactive collections management

• Follow Up promptly: Contact customers immediately if their payment is overdue. The sooner you address the issue, the more likely you are to recover the debt.
• Build relationships: Maintain positive relationships with your customers and address any payment issues professionally and respectfully. This can help preserve customer loyalty and improve your collection rate.
• Offer payment plans: If a customer is experiencing financial difficulties, consider offering a payment plan to help them catch up on their payments. This can be a win-win solution that helps you recover the debt while maintaining a positive relationship with the customer.

6. Leverage technology and external resources

• Collections software: Utilize collections software to automate and streamline your collections process. This can save time, improve efficiency, and increase your collection rate.
• Outsourcing: Consider outsourcing your collections to a third-party agency if you lack the resources or expertise to manage them in-house. This can free up your time and resources so you can focus on other aspects of your business.
• Legal action: As a last resort, consider taking legal action against customers who refuse to pay their debts. This can be a costly and time-consuming process, but it may be necessary to recover outstanding debts.

By implementing these comprehensive strategies, you can effectively reduce your average collection period, optimize your cash flow, and improve your overall financial health. Remember that consistent and proactive management of your accounts receivable is key to success.

Key takeaways

• The average collection period (ACP) measures the average time it takes a company to collect its accounts receivable.
• A shorter ACP indicates efficient collection efforts and a shorter cash conversion cycle, while a longer ACP may suggest challenges in collecting receivables.
• Factors influencing ACP include industry norms, company size, payment terms, and customer base.
• To improve ACP, companies can incentivize early payments through discounts, optimize credit policies, streamline invoicing and payment processes, implement a robust collections policy, and engage in proactive collections management.
• Using an average collection period calculator can quickly assess a company's collection efficiency by inputting average accounts receivable balance and net credit sales.
  
  

FAQs

Why calculate your average collection period?

Calculating your average collection period meaning helps you understand how efficiently your business collects its accounts receivable and provides insights into your cash flow management. A shorter ACP generally indicates better cash flow management and a healthier financial position.

What does a low average collection period indicate?

A low average collection period indicates that a company is efficient in collecting its receivables and has a shorter cash conversion cycle. This means that the company is able to quickly convert its sales into cash, which can improve its financial health and liquidity.

What does an average collection period of 30 days indicate for a company?

An average collection period (ACP) of 30 days indicates that, on average, it takes a company 30 days to collect its accounts receivable from the date of the invoice. A shorter ACP is generally considered to be more favorable for a company, as it means that cash is flowing into the business more quickly.

When determining the average collection period, how is accounts receivable turnover calculated?

Accounts receivable turnover is calculated by dividing net credit sales by average accounts receivable. A higher accounts receivable turnover ratio indicates that a company is efficiently collecting its receivables and has a shorter cash conversion cycle.

What are the industry benchmarks for the average collection period?

Industry benchmarks for the average collection period vary across different industries. For example, the ACP for the retail industry typically ranges from 30 to 45 days, while the ACP for the manufacturing industry may be between 60 to 90 days.

Why Is a lower average collection period better?

A lower average collection period (ACP) indicates that a company is efficient in collecting its accounts receivable and has a shorter cash conversion cycle, which means that the company can quickly convert its sales into cash, improving its financial health and liquidity.

How does the average collection period impact a company’s cash flow and liquidity?

A longer average collection period can lead to cash flow problems, as it takes longer for a company to collect its accounts receivable and convert them into cash. This can impact a company's liquidity and ability to meet its short-term obligations.

What are the extra costs of having a higher average collection period?

Having a higher average collection period can lead to increased carrying costs, such as interest on borrowed funds, as well as reduced cash flow and potential lost opportunities for investment and growth.

What are the main factors that increase the average collection period?

The main factors that increase the average collection period are:

• Offering longer payment terms to customers
• Having a large proportion of small customers who may have a longer ACP than companies with a few large customers.

What is the difference between avg collection period and average payment period?

The average collection period (ACP) measures how long it takes a company to collect its accounts receivable, while the average payment period (APP) measures how long it takes customers to pay their invoices. While both metrics relate to the time it takes to receive payment, the ACP considers the company's perspective, and the APP considers the customer's perspective.