As QuickBooks consultants, we work with small business owners who want to use technology to make their business more efficient and competitive. One of the biggest challenges many small businesses face is having enough cash flow. In fact, nearly every business struggles with slow paying customers and welcome any help in reducing their Accounts Receivable balance.   It’s everyone’s problem. Accounts receivable requires constant monitoring. As satisfying as it can be to dispatch a group of invoices, you know that it’s going to take some work to bring in payment for at least some of them. You can take steps to collect the money you’re owed faster.

Here are 5 Ways to Reduce Accounts Receivable in QuickBooks

1.  Let customers pay invoices electronically.

QuickBooks reduce accounts receivabes

Figure 1: You’re likely to get paid faster if you let customers pay electronically when they receive an invoice. Go to Edit | Preferences | Payments | Company Preferences.
A few years ago, this was a good idea. In 2014, when people have stopped carrying checkbooks and are accustomed to using their mobile devices to pay for merchandise, it’s become almost required. Whether or not you know it, you’re probably losing some business if you don’t have a merchant account that supports credit and debit card payments, and possibly e-checks.

If you have an online storefront, you’ve undoubtedly been accepting plastic for a long time now. Not many shoppers want to place an order on a website and hunt for envelopes and stamps and blank checks to complete it. If you invoice customers, it’s just as critical that you allow them to remit payment ASAP.   Not set up with a merchant account yet? We can help you get started with the Intuit Payment Network.

2.  Keep a close watch on your A/R reports.

Part of being proactive with your accounts receivable is being vigilant and informed. Create and customize A/R reports regularly. When you customize your A/R Aging Detail report, for example, in addition to the other columns that you include, be sure that Terms, Due Date, Bill Date, Aging and Open Balance are turned on (click Customize Report | Display and click in front of each column label).

You should also be looking at Open Invoices and Collections Report frequently, or assigning someone else to monitor them closely. We can help here by creating more complex financial reports periodically, like Statement of Cash Flows.

3.  Send statements.

reduce accounts receivable QuickBooks

Figure 2: In this window, QuickBooks wants you to create filters to identify customers who should receive statements. Here, everyone with transactions that are more than 30 days old will be included.

Invoices are generally the preferred way to bill your customers, but you should consider sending statements in addition when customers have outstanding balances past a certain date. QuickBooks sometimes calls these reminder statements. You’re not providing the recipients with any new information; you’re simply sending a kind of report that lists all invoices sent, credit memos and payment received.

To generate statements, click Customers | Create Statements. You’ll see the window pictured above. You can send statements to everyone, a defined group or one customer, and you can define the past-due status that you want to target in addition to other options.

4.  Send accurate invoices the first time.

Few things will slow down your accounts receivable more than incorrect invoices. The customer can wait until payment is almost due to dispute the charges, which means that they’ll probably get another 15 or 30 days (or whatever their terms are) to pay the amended bill.  So whoever is responsible for creating invoices needs to be checking and re-checking them. If it’s logistically possible depending on your workflow, have them verified by a second employee.

5.  Offer discounts for early payment and assess finance charges.

Offering discounts is a balancing act. You’ll be getting less money for your sale – even 5 percent multiplied by many customers can add up – but it may make sense financially for you to take a small hit in return for being able to deposit the payment sooner. We can help you do the math here.

To offer this, you’ll have to set up your discount scenario as a Term option (Lists | Customer & Vendor Profile Lists | Terms List), as seen here:

QuickBooks increase cash flow

Figure 3: This Standard discount term gives customers a 5 percent discount if their invoice is paid within 10 days.

To make a customer eligible for the discount, open the Customer Center and double-click on a customer, then on Payment Settings | Payment Terms.

You might also want to be assessing finance charges. The revenue you bring in from finance charges will probably be negligible. But sometimes, just knowing that a late payment will be more costly may prompt your customers to settle up in a timely fashion.

Whatever approaches you choose to accelerate your receivables, be consistent. If any of your customers should compare notes, you want to be regarded as being firm but fairLet us help you when such situations occur. It’s much easier –and more economical for you – to spend some time with us before you record a puzzling payment than to have us track it down later on. We’ll help ensure that your money makes it to the right destination. Call us today at 256-337-5200.

CLICK HERE for 2014 QUICKBOOKS TRAINING SEMINAR DATES:

  • April 17 & 18, 2014 (Thur & Fri), 9am-1pm – Advanced QuickBooks, $247, Location: 515 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35816
  • May 15, 2014 (Thursday), 9am-1pm: QuickBooks for Business Owners, $147 (tentative)
  • June 19, 2014 (Thursday), 9am-1pm: Accounting 101, $147 (tentative)

Register today – call 256-337-5200! Pre-registration required: classes fill up quickly. Each class is limited to eight attendees and customized to the specific needs of those attendees. SBS offers four types of classes: Accounting, Business Owners, Fundamentals, and Advanced. Attendees will receive a QuickBooks workbook and snacks.  Call for more details.  Call now -- classes fill up quickly.

Let us help you when such situations occur. It’s much easier –and more economical for you – to spend some time with us before you record a puzzling payment than to have us track it down later on. We’ll help ensure that your money makes it to the right destination. Call us today at 256-337-5200.

The “QB Bob” Team
Certified QuickBooks® ProAdvisors
Advanced, Enterprise, Online & Point of Sale
Intuit Premier Reseller


A version of this blog was previously posted here:  http://qbbob.com/5-ways-to-accelerate-your-receivables-in-quickbooks/

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