Answer:
a) Average number of days in 2011 = 53 days
b) The days are lower than 2010, so it is better than 2010.
Explanation:
the question is to calculate the average number of days that receivables were outstanding in 2011
First, the formula
= (Accounts Receivable/The Net Credit Sales for the Period) x 365 days (days in a year)
Therefore:
1) The Net Sales for 2011 = $3,636 million
Accounts receivable for 2011= $527.9 million
We then calculate the Receivable days outstanding for 2011 as follows
= 527.9 million / 3,636 million x 365 = 53 days
2) The Net Sales for 2010= $3,359.1 million
Accounts receivable for 2010= $501 million
We then calculate the Receivable days outstanding for 2010 as follows
= 501 million / 3359.1 million x 365 = 54. 4 day
It should be noted that the higher the days of receivable were outstanding then the slower the revenue collection rate after sales. Therefore, a lower number of days is better.
Based on this, 2011 is better than 2010 because the number of days have reduced from 54.4 to 53 days.
