Accounts receivable is an asset recorded on your balance sheet.
For example, suppose Sony sold $10,000 worth of TVs to Walmart. Sony already delivered the TVs and payment by Walmart is due within 30 days. In this scenario, for Sony, accounts receivable would be debited for $10,000, and retained earnings would be credited for $10,000, making the balance sheet balance.
Follow these steps to calculate accounts receivable: Add up all charges. You'll want to add up all the amounts that customers owe the company for products and services that the company has already delivered to the customer. Find the average. Calculate net credit sales. Divide net credit sales by average accounts receivable.
Accounts receivable are recorded on a company's balance sheet. Because they represent funds owed to the company (and that are likely to be received), they are booked as an asset.
Accounts receivable are listed under the current assets section of the balance sheet and typically fluctuate in value from month to month as the company makes new sales and collects payments from customers.
With factoring, the factor takes control of bill collection and assumes the credit risk for customer non-payment. In contrast, with the assignment of receivables, the business retains control of its customer relationships and the collection process, bearing all of the credit risk.
Assignment of accounts receivable is a method of debt financing whereby the lender takes over the borrowing company's receivables. This form of alternative financing is often seen as less desirable, as it can be quite costly to the borrower, with APRs as high as 100% annualized.
To report accounts receivable effectively on the balance sheet: Break down accounts receivable into categories, such as “trade accounts receivable” and “other receivables.” Clearly indicate the aging of accounts receivable to show how much is current, 30, 60, or 90+ days overdue.