Van den borsh corp. has annual sales of $68,735,000, an average inventory level of $15,012,000, and average accounts receivable of $10,008,000. the firm's cost of goods sold is 85% of sales.
the company makes all purchases on credit and has always paid on the 30th day.
however, it now plans to take full advantage of trade credit and to pay its suppliers on the 40th day. the cfo also believes that sales can be maintained at the existing level but inventory can be lowered by $1,946,000 and accounts receivable by $1,946,000.

what will be the net change in the cash conversion cycle, assuming a 365-day year?

round to the nearest whole day.

a. –25 days

b. –31 days

c. –27 days

d. –32 days

The answer is d. -32 days.

Explanation:

*The before change cash conversion cycle = Days of inventory outstanding + Days of receivables outstanding - Days of payable outstanding.

in which:

Days of inventory outstanding = Average inventory / Cost of good sold x 365 = ( 15,012,000 / ( 68,735,000 x 0.85) ) x 365 = 94 days

Days of receivables outstanding = Average Receivables / Revenue x 365 = ( 10,008,000 / 68,735,000 x 365 = 53 days

Days of payable = 30 days

=> Before change cash conversion cycle = 117 days.

* The after-change cash conversion cycle is calculated with the same formula, however with estimated changes be applied in the formula as followed:

Days of inventory outstanding = Average inventory / Cost of good sold x 365 = ( (15,012,000 - 1,946,000) / ( 68,735,000 x 0.85) ) x 365 = 82 days

Days of receivables outstanding = Average Receivables / Revenue x 365 = ( (10,008,000 - 1,946,000) / 68,735,000 x 365 = 43 days

Days of payable = 40 days

=> After-change cash conversion cycle = 82 + 43 - 40 = 85 days

=> Net change is 85 - 117 = -32 days