Accounts receivable service
when a business sells a product or service to a customer and sends an invoice, the customer becomes liable to pay for that transaction. The outstanding amount on that invoice is considered an accounts receivable for the business until it is settled. Accounts receivable is a key component of a company's financial health, as it reflects the level of sales made on credit and the ability of customers to pay their debts. Thereby indicating the quality of clientele. Accounts receivable services ensure that the company is paid for the goods or services it has sold & include activities such as invoicing customers, tracking payments, and following up on past-due accounts.
With advancements in technology and an increasing demand for cost-effective solutions, accounts receivable outsourcing services companies have been able to streamline and automate many aspects of Accounts receivable services. In addition, with the rise of digital tools and systems, many providers now offer fully digitized accounts receivable management systems. This has made it easier for businesses to access and manage their financial information more accurately.
Benefits of outsourcing accounts receivable services
outsourcing accounts receivable services can provide a wide range of benefits for businesses of all sizes, helping to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their finance operations and freeing up resources to focus on growth, innovation & expansion.
Here are a few key benefits:
● economic benefits: outsourced accounts receivable services are more cost-effective than hiring and training an in-house team, as it eliminates the need to invest in technology, infrastructure, staff & periodic training.
● greater efficiency: by outsourcing accounts receivable, businesses gain access to a team of experts who are experienced professionals in this domain and are equipped with the latest technology and processes to ensure maximum efficiency.
● greater accuracy: a good accounts receivable consulting services provider helps businesses by providing improved accuracy, as the team is well-trained in the latest practices and has access to the newest technology.
● scalability: Agility is a vital ingredient of a successful business model. outsourcing AR allows businesses to quickly and easily scale their finance operations at short notice to meet changing demands without having to hire additional staff or invest in new technology or infrastructure.
● increased focus on core business: by outsourcing accounts receivable, companies can free up their in-house staff to focus on core business activities, giving greater thrust to their creative, productive, and innovative side.
● flexibility: outsourcing accounts receivable can provide businesses with greater flexibility, as they can scale their services up or down as their needs change.
accounts receivable services we offer
● advisory services: designing policies & defining processes for revenue recognition to help businesses streamline their operations.
● invoicing, billing & payment processing:sending out invoices to customers on time and following up on payments followed by processing payments from customers.
● managing credit and collections: reviewing credit applications, monitoring customer creditworthiness, and following up on past-due accounts. ThinkSynq deploys a cloud-based IT tool for managing receivables.
● accounts receivable reporting: generating reports on accounts receivable aging, payment trends, and customer balances.
● dispute resolution services: resolving disputes or discrepancies related to outstanding payments owed by customers, including billing errors, pricing discrepancies, delivery issues, or other conflicts that may arise between the seller and the buyer. The goal of dispute resolution services is to facilitate prompt payment of outstanding balances while maintaining positive relationships with customers.
implementation of the account receivable services process
the accounts receivable (AR) services process typically includes the following steps:
● invoicing: the first step in the AR process is to generate invoices for customers. This has largely moved to the digital format; however, some businesses still deal with the physical way.
● payment tracking:the accounts receivable outsourcing services provider tracks customer payments and updates the business's financial records accordingly. Several automated systems exist for the same & are usually deployed by providers for better accuracy & speed.
● Credit and receipts management: the AR Services provider manages the credit and receipts process, monitoring customer payments, following up on overdue accounts, and negotiating payment arrangements as necessary.
● Reports generation: the accounts receivable management company provides regular reports on the status of customer payments, including the total amount of money owed, the percentage of accounts that are past due, and any other relevant metrics.
● Payment processing: the AR provider processes customer payments, applying them to the correct invoices and updating the company's financial logs, which are of critical application to the business management team.
why outsourcing accounts receivables is important
for businesses, managing accounts receivables can be a time-consuming, complex non-core process. However, it’s essential to accomplish to improve the bottom line. Yet, there are often not enough resources, time, or personnel to properly handle the elaborate process that accounts receivables entail.
In the case of Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), outsourcing Accounts Receivable (AR) processes is vital for several reasons, including Lack of expertise, Limited resources, Compliance and security, Improved cash flow & Cost savings.
Overall, opting for a reliable accounts receivable outsourcing service can provide numerous benefits for businesses of all sizes, helping to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their finance operations, reduce costs, and free up resources to focus on growth and innovation.
FAQ’s
» how can an accounts receivable service help improve cash flow for a business?
an Accounts Receivable (AR) service can help improve a business's cash flow in various ways, including
● swift payment collection: accounts receivable management system of a reliable service provider deploys technology and streamlined processes to reduce the time it takes to collect customer payments.
● Better credit and collections management: an AR service provider can manage the credit and collections process, monitoring customer payments, following up on overdue accounts, and negotiating payment arrangements as necessary to help reduce the risk of bad debts and improve the overall payment performance of customers.
● Improved reporting: an AR service provider can provide regular reports on the status of customer payments, including the total amount of money owed, the percentage of accounts that are past due, and any other relevant metrics to arm businesses with the data needed to make informed & quick decisions about their cash flow and manage their financial position more effectively.
» how much does accounts receivable service cost?
the cost of an accounts receivable service can vary depending on several factors, including Accounting Systems, Documentation controls, Process flow, Service level, Volume of transactions, Contract terms, Location & the Provider's reputation.
For instance, a provider may charge for the number of invoices that need to be processed or the number of transactions performed. It could also include a flat fee for the entire project. Fees for setting up recurring payments or dealing with complex transactions are usually added to the introductory rate. In addition to the cost of services, companies may also charge additional fees for access to their customer data, software licenses, user training, or customer support. These can be one-time or ongoing costs depending on the level of support provided. Providers typically offer customized cost proposals that consider the size of the businesses, the type of services required, the complexity of the task, the timeline, and more.
It is always the best practice to get quotes from multiple providers to get a better understanding of the costs involved and to ensure that the best value proposition is obtained.
» what are the goals of accounts receivable service?
the key goals of an accounts receivable service are:
● enhance cash flow by collecting payments faster
● optimize credit and collections management
● implement an organized approach to payment processing
● strengthen communication with customers
● boost business profitability
● upgrade financial reporting
● Make sure that security and compliance measures are in place
» What is the difference between accounts receivable and accounts payables?
while accounts receivable represents the amount of money a business is owed by its customers for goods or services that have been sold or serviced but not yet paid for, accounts payable represents the amount of money a business owes to its suppliers for goods or services that have been purchased but not yet paid for. Effectively managing accounts receivable (AR) and accounts payable (AP) enhances a business's cash flow, mitigate financial risks, and ensures efficient financial operations.