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Accounts Receivable Management

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Managing Accounts Receivables
Topic: Managing accounts receivables
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Accounts receivables have both positive and negative aspects. They are an indicator of robust sales and reliable customer base. However, the fact that accounts receivables do not constitute cash at hand or in the bank leaves a possibility of not collecting the money. Therefore, it is crucial to have in place, a system to manage accounts receivables, as well as logical implementation of effective credit and collection policies (Brigham, 2009).
Credit and collection policies are an organization’s rules governing the functions of its credit and collection department. A billing manager should consider the organization’s mission and goals, financial obligations, and demands regarding risks when implementing such policies (Hong, 2008).
In order to meet its financial obligations such as current expenses and bills, an organization should maintain an adequate float of cash in its possession. Ineffective credit and collection policies affect an organization’s cash flow. Policies that leave room for delayed collection activities, or extension in payment hinder a firm’s ability to meet its financial obligations (Hong, 2008).
Any credit and collection policy should be in line with the organization’s goals. Organizations usually set goals that rhyme with their strategic direction and prevailing market conditions. Policies for managing credit should be in such a way as to foster achievement of those goals (Hong, 2008).
Credit and collection policies should be in line with the organization’s risk demands. Whether the organization is risk averse, risk neutral or risk loving will determine this. A risk averse organization’s credit and collection policies will be liberal on collection but conservative on credit. A risk loving policy will be liberal on credit but

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