The period it takes for a business to convert its accounts receivable into cash is a vital metric for assessing operational efficiency. This value, expressed in days, is derived by dividing the average accounts receivable balance by the average daily sales. For example, if a company has average accounts receivable of $100,000 and average daily sales of $5,000, the result is 20 days. This suggests that, on average, it takes the company 20 days to collect payment from its customers.
A lower number generally indicates more efficient collection practices and quicker access to cash flow. Monitoring this value provides valuable insights into a company’s credit and collection policies. Historically, fluctuations in this figure can signal changes in customer payment behavior or the effectiveness of internal controls. It’s a benchmark frequently used by investors and creditors to evaluate a company’s liquidity and short-term financial health.