The Primary Goals of an Accounts Receivable Department

The accounts receivable (AR) department plays a crucial role in managing the financial health of a business by ensuring that payments are received from customers in a timely and efficient manner. The primary goals of an AR department are:

1. Timely Collection of Payments: The primary objective of the AR department is to ensure that payments are received from customers in a timely manner. This helps improve cash flow and reduces the risk of bad debt.
2. Accurate Recording and Reporting: The AR department is responsible for accurately recording and reporting all payments received from customers. This includes posting payments to the appropriate accounts, reconciling customer accounts, and producing regular reports on the status of accounts receivable.
3. Maintaining Customer Relationships: The AR department is often the first point of contact between a business and its customers. As such, it is important for the AR department to maintain positive relationships with customers, resolve disputes in a timely manner, and provide excellent customer service.
4. Reducing Days Sales Outstanding (DSO): The AR department works to reduce the amount of time it takes for a business to receive payment from its customers. This is known as the "days sales outstanding" (DSO) and is a key metric for measuring the efficiency of the AR process.
5. Minimizing Bad Debt: The AR department works to minimize the risk of bad debt by monitoring customer credit, following up on overdue payments, and making appropriate arrangements with customers to collect payment.

In conclusion, the primary goals of an AR department are to ensure timely collection of payments, accurate recording and reporting, maintain customer relationships, reduce DSO, and minimize bad debt. By meeting these goals, the AR department helps improve the financial health of a business and contributes to its overall success.