Applying your accounts receivable collection pattern from the past to your sales forecast is the best way to predict your cash receipts from the collection of accounts receivable. The following example shows how to use your accounts receivable collection pattern to project future cash receipts:
Linn Vernon is a financial planning consultant to small businesses. Linn receives 20 percent down when a consulting agreement is signed. The customer is billed for the remainder after the job is completed. Linn's credit terms are Net 30 (the full amount due within 30 days). Relying on her experience with accounts receivable collections from the past, she assumes the following when projecting her cash receipts for her cash flow budget:
- 70 percent of the accounts receivable are collected in the month following the completion of the consultation
- 20 percent of the accounts receivable are collected in the second month following the consultation
- 10 percent of the accounts receivable are collected in the third month following the consultation
Using her accounts receivable collection pattern and her sales forecast, Linn can now complete her cash receipts projection for the first six months of 2009. (Note: the actual sales for October, November, and December of 2008 were $30,000.)
Vernon Consulting Service
Cash Receipts Projection |
| |
Jan.
2009 |
Feb.
2009 |
Mar.
2009 |
Apr.
2009 |
May
2009 |
June
2009 |
| Forecasted Sales |
$30,000 |
$35,000 |
$40,000 |
$50,000 |
$40,000 |
$30,000 |
| 10% down |
3,000 |
3,500 |
4,000 |
5,000 |
4,000 |
3,000 |
| 70% 1st month |
18,900 |
18,900 |
22,050 |
25,200 |
31,500 |
25,200 |
| 20% 2nd month |
5,400 |
5,400 |
5,400 |
6,300 |
7,200 |
9,000 |
| 10% 3rd month |
2,700 |
2,700 |
2,700 |
2,700 |
3,150 |
3,600 |
| Total receipts |
$30,000 |
$30,500 |
$34,150 |
$39,200 |
$45,850 |
$40,800 |