COLLECTION PERIOD Definition

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COLLECTION PERIOD (Period End) is used to appraise accounts receivable (AR).
This ratio measures the length of time it takes to convert your average sales into cash. This measurement defines the relationship between accounts receivable and cash flow. A longer average collection period requires a higher investment in accounts receivable. A higher investment in accounts receivable means less cash is available to cover cash outflows, such as paying bills. NOTE: Comparing the two COLLECTION PERIOD ratios (Period Average and Period End) suggests the direction in which AR collections are moving, thereby giving an indication as to potential impacts to cash flow.

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PREDICTOR RATIOS: Most ratios are descriptive in nature; that is, they describe the firm as it is now. As you might expect, Predictor Ratios provide suggestions about likely future conditions for the firm. VentureLine provides two industry standard Predictor Ratios:

  1. Altman Z-Score - a valid predictor or bankruptcy, and,
  2. Sustainable Growth Rate - shows the degree to which a concern can grow using their retained earnings to fund growth.

PIGGYBACK, dependent upon usage, can mean: 1. On the back or shoulder or astraddle on the hip; 2. Two lenders participating in the same loan (piggyback loan) 3. Unauthorized access to a data processing system via an authorized users legitimate connection (piggyback entry) 4. Haul by railroad car; 5. SEC registration of existing holdings of shares in a corporation combined with an offering of new public shares (piggyback registration) 6. Rights that entitle an investor to register and sell his or her stock whenever the company conducts a public offering (piggyback rights).

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