Which one of the following is the length of time that a retailer owes its supplier for an
inventory purchase?
A. Inventory period
B. Accounts receivable period
C. Accounts payable period
D. Operating cycle
E. Cash cycle
Answer:
The Cannon Ball has projected its first quarter sales at $11,200, second quarter sales at
$10,900, and third quarter sales at $13,300. The firm’s cost of goods sold is equal to 71
percent of the next quarter’s sales. The accounts receivable period is 30 days and the
accounts payable period is 60 days. At the beginning of the first quarter, the firm has an
accounts receivable balance of $2,800 and an accounts payable balance of $6,300. The
firm pays $1,500 a month in cash expenses and $200 a month in taxes. At the beginning
of the first quarter, the cash balance is $530 and the short-term loan balance is zero.
During the first quarter, the firm is planning on spending $2,600 for some new
equipment. The firm maintains a minimum cash balance of $20. Assume each month
has 30 days. What is the cumulative cash surplus (deficit) at the end of the first quarter,
prior to any short-term borrowing?
A. -$2,403
B. -$1,983
C. -$857
D. -$837
E. -$667