Accounts receivable, also known as AR, refers to the money that a business is owed by its customers for goods or services that have been delivered but have yet to be paid for.
Managing accounts receivable is a crucial aspect of running a business, as it directly impacts the cash flow and financial stability of the company. However, managing AR can also be a challenging task, as there are many problems that can arise. I
n this blog post, we will discuss some of the common issues in accounts receivable and how to resolve them.
One of the most significant problems in AR is slow payment from customers.
Many businesses rely on a steady stream of cash flow to cover expenses, and when payments are delayed, it can create a financial strain on the company.
One way to resolve this problem is to establish clear payment terms with customers from the start. This includes setting a specific due date for payments and outlining any late payment fees or penalties.
Another solution is to offer incentives for early payment, such as discounts or credit towards future purchases.
Bad debts are another problem that can arise in AR.
Bad debt refers to money that a business is unlikely to ever collect from a customer. Bad debts can be caused by a customer defaulting on a loan, filing for bankruptcy, or simply refusing to pay.
To minimize the risk of bad debts, businesses should conduct credit checks on new customers and monitor the creditworthiness of existing customers.
Additionally, businesses should also consider using a credit insurance policy to protect against bad debts.
Another issue that can arise in Accounts Receivables is a lack of organization and tracking of payments.
Without a proper system in place, it can be difficult to keep track of which invoices have been paid and which are still outstanding.
Traditionally, an Accounts Receivable team manages the data through spreadsheets that require manual input and can lead to errors. To resolve this problem, businesses should invest in accounting software that can automatically track and manage AR.
This type of software allows businesses to easily view outstanding invoices, check payment status, and generate reports.
In conclusion, managing accounts receivable is a crucial aspect of running a business, but it can also be a challenging task. The problems that can arise in AR include slow payment from customers, inaccurate or incomplete invoicing, bad debts, lack of organization and tracking, and managing multiple currencies.
However, by implementing solutions such as clear payment terms, invoicing software, credit checks, credit insurance, accounting software, and currency management software, businesses can effectively resolve these problems and improve their AR process.
Bridger is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform to automate the critical process of Accounts Receivables. Account receivables automation + Invoice financing company for Businesses
Bridger recognises that each industry and each company handles receivables in a different way and aims to eliminate the barriers to getting paid faster.
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