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.
Ask the Tutor ACCA FM
Management of WC (Receivables) - Early Settlement Discount
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.
`My apologies for copying the question, I will take note of it next time.
Thanks for the explanation, I understood the concept now :)
You are welcome :-)
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