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Management of WC (Receivables) - Early Settlement Discount

KKimberly5y ago
Sir, I would like to clarify with you about an example on early settlement discount from the ACCA website (https://www.accaglobal.com/hk/en/student/exam-support-resources/fundamentals-exams-study-resources/f9/technical-articles/alternative-receivables-collection-techniques.html). Please find the question posted below for your reference: Melvin Co has a turnover of $900,000 (90% of which is on credit) and receivable days are currently 42 despite the company only offering 30-days’ credit. Melvin Co finances its receivables using its overdraft which has an annual interest cost of 8% and has a contribution margin of 30%. Melvin Co is considering the introduction of an early settlement discount at the same time as extending their standard credit terms to 50 days. The company would offer customers a 1% discount for payment within 14 days. It is anticipated that 40% of customers will take the discount, while those that do not take the discount will keep to the new standard credit terms. As a result of the extended credit terms, credit sales are expected to rise by 10%. Due to the extra administration involved it is thought that administration costs will rise by $10,000 per year. Evaluate whether or not Melvin Co should offer the discount. I have understood most of the steps to derive the answer for this question, which is to calculate: - Cost of discount p.a. - Current and New AR / AR days - Savings/Benefits p.a. - Net benefit / (cost) However, the area that I am confused is the contribution margin part. The workings stated that the benefit that the company will gain from contribution margin is $24,300. To derive $24.3k will be: Existing credit sales: $900,000 × 90% = $810,000 Expected increase in credit sales: $810,000 × 10% = $81,000 Contribution on extra sales: 81,000 × 30% = $24,300 May I clarify if the contribution margin is used to find the extra profit from the extra sales? That's why it is included in the calculation of finding the net benefit? I guess I am confused of this particular concept of contribution margin. Thank you for taking your time and I appreciate your help.
John MoffatJohn MoffatTutor5y ago#1
Please do not copy out the whole of questions from the ACCA website (the ACCA gets annoyed because of copyright ). In future just say which article and I can find it myself :-) Contribution is profit (before fixed costs) and so if they sell more because of offering a discount then they will make extra profit because of the extra sales.
KKimberly5y ago#2
`My apologies for copying the question, I will take note of it next time. Thanks for the explanation, I understood the concept now :)
John MoffatJohn MoffatTutor5y ago#3
You are welcome :-)
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