Contract AR should be entered when the revenue has been earned but not collected. This normally occurs at the time goods or services are provided and should coincide when the invoice is sent. Postponing the recording of contract AR until the payment is received is not encouraged.
Accounts Receivable It is not possible to “see and touch” an account receivable. Therefore, most lenders perfect a security interest in receivables by filing a financing statement.
The key difference between Contract asset and Account receivable is its conditionality i.e. Contract Asset is recognized in the Financial Statements when the right to receive the payment is conditional upon something other than just passage of time (having conditional right to receive payment).
Contract Receivables means, with respect to a Contract, all amounts due and payable or to become due and payable under such Contract, together with all rights to receive such amounts under such Contract.