Accounts receivable (AR) are a financial asset that identifies the amount of money that is due to a company for goods or services it has provided to its customers. It is reported in the balance sheet as an asset and allows companies to extend terms to customers, creating a source of working capital, as well as improving customer satisfaction and sales. Generally, the terms of accounts receivable are a given amount of days from the date of sale to when the invoice is due.

Accounts receivable are commonly used in various forms of transactions, including service-based payments, exchange for goods, product sales, rent proceeds, and more. When the transaction occurs, the payment for the goods or services that were agreed upon become an account receivable. To distinguish between money that is immediately payable and money that is due in the future, the amount owed is tracked in the AR account to manage the amount of income coming into the company.

The amount of money in an accounts receivable is important to monitor as it displays the health of a company’s sales and the trustworthiness of its customers. Furthermore, the accounts receivable turnover ratio (AR ratio) and days sales outstanding (DSO) are used to analyze the effectiveness of collection processes. The AR ratio is the amount of sales made during the year and calculates the average collection period of the company and customers. The DSO calculates the number of days it takes for a company to recover payment from customers.

In conclusion, accounts receivable are an important part of a company’s balance sheet and are an essential tool for determining the overall health of the organization. By tracking the accounts receivable, a company can determine how quickly payment is going to be received and maximize its profits. Monitoring accounts receivable and the associated metrics, such as the accounts receivable turnover ratio and days sales outstanding, will ensure that a company has sufficient working capital and an accurate understanding of its customers’ payment timelines.