12/10/13

Cash and Receivables

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ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
3. Define receivables and identify the different types of receivables. Receivables are claims held against customers and others for money, goods, or services. For financial statement purposes, companies classify receivables as either current (short-term) or noncurrent (long-term). Companies expect to collect current receivables within a year or during the current operating cycle, whichever is longer. They classify all other receivables as noncurrent. Receivables are further classified in the balance sheet as either trade or nontrade receivables. Customers often owe a company amounts for goods bought or services rendered. A company may subclassify these trade receivables , usually the most significant item it possesses, into accounts receivable and notes receivable. Accounts receivable are oral promises of the purchaser to pay for goods and services sold. They represent “open accounts” resulting from short-term extensions of credit. A company normally collects them within 30 to 60 days. Notes receivable are written promises to pay a certain sum of money on a specified future date. They may arise from sales, financing, or other transactions. Notes may be shortterm or long-term. Nontrade receivables arise from a variety of transactions. Some examples of nontrade receivables are: 1. Advances to officers and employees. 2. Advances to subsidiaries. 3. Deposits paid to cover potential damages or losses. 4. Deposits paid as a guarantee of performance or payment. 5. Dividends and interest receivable. 6. Claims against: (a) Insurance companies for casualties sustained. (b) Defendants under suit. (c) Governmental bodies for tax refunds. (d) Common carriers for damaged or lost goods. (e) Creditors for returned, damaged, or lost goods. (f) Customers for returnable items (crates, containers, etc.). Because