Ultimate Guide for Reducing DSO

Struggling with cash flow management in your business? Feel like you’re always just a step behind when it comes to bills and expenses?

The key to taking control of your financial situation could lie in a three-letter acronym: DSO or Days Sales Outstanding. A high-performing accounts receivables operation is the lifeline that keeps your business’s heart, i.e., cash flow, pumping efficiently.

But, how do you assess its performance? And how can you use this to transform your cash flow struggles into successes? This ultimate guide to reducing DSO is about to unlock those answers for you.

Understanding DSO and Its Significance

Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) measures your company’s average collection period for accounts receivable.

In layman’s terms, it tells you how long, on average, it takes for your business to get paid after a sale is made. Simply put, the lower your DSO, the quicker you’re getting your cash.

But why does this matter? Here’s the scoop: A low DSO indicates a healthy cash flow, which means you’re in a better position to cover your expenses, invest in growth opportunities, and navigate financial downturns.

On the flip side, a high DSO could signal potential issues, such as ineffective collection processes, customer dissatisfaction, or even looming cash crunches.

So, the question becomes, how can you bring down your DSO and bolster your business’s financial health? First, let’s find out how to get your DSO number.

How to Calculate DSO

Why Is DSO Important?

A company’s Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) serves as a crucial indicator of its cash flow quality. The lower the DSO number, the faster the company receives its cash, which is essential for fueling its operations.

Maintaining a low DSO is vital for ensuring a healthy cash flow. A high DSO points to potential payment collection performance issues, which can hinder a company’s ability to maintain a steady flow of cash.

Actively monitoring and managing your Days Sales Outstanding provides numerous benefits, including:

1. DSO Tracks Performance

By analyzing your DSO, you gain valuable insights into your company’s performance across various critical aspects. A low DSO indicates positive performance signals, including:

• A well-functioning collection process
• A proactive accounts receivable (A/R) management team
• An effective A/R strategy
• High customer satisfaction
• Reduced risk of cash burnout
• Overall healthy cash flow

2. DSO Reveals Cash Flow Issues

If you observe a consistent rise in your firm’s DSO over time, it could serve as an early warning sign of an impending cash crunch.

Timely payment of bills is crucial to fulfilling obligations and covering expenses. A poor cash flow can jeopardize a company’s ability to meet these requirements. Monitoring your DSO allows you to proactively manage your cash flow performance.

3. DSO Resolves Problems Before They Escalate

If you have experience with accounts receivables, you understand the importance of converting receivables into cash promptly.

By closely monitoring your DSO, you can identify issues as they arise and take necessary actions to mitigate them. Resolving cash flow problems before they become significant is vital for the sustained success of your business.

4. DSO Measures Customer Satisfaction

Efficiently closing out credit transactions is a reflection of how satisfied your customers are with your products or services.

A low DSO can indicate a higher level of customer satisfaction. When customers are pleased with the value you provide, they are more likely to make timely payments.

By implementing effective strategies to maintain a low DSO, you not only optimize your cash flow but also foster positive relationships with customers.

How Do You Reduce DSO?

Improving your company’s DSO not only involves your credit and collection or accounting departments. It’s going to be a company-wide effort. Generally, a DSO below 45 is considered to be suitable for most companies. However, this benchmark may vary between different industries.

We’ll walk you through how you can reduce your Days Sales Outstanding so you’ll always have enough cash to fuel your business.

1. Streamline Invoicing Processes

Efficient invoicing is the cornerstone of effective accounts receivable management. Flawed invoicing processes can lead to delays and errors, impacting the speed of payment collection. To streamline invoicing:

• Ensure all invoices contain accurate and complete information, making it easy for customers to understand and process payments.
• Implement a streamlined invoicing system that minimizes errors and eliminates unnecessary delays.
• Optimize delivery methods to ensure invoices reach customers promptly, whether through traditional mail or electronic means.

2. Evaluate and Set Credit Policies

Establishing clear credit policies is essential for managing customer risk and balancing sales with timely payments. Evaluate and set credit policies that strike a balance between encouraging sales and minimizing payment delays:

• Define ideal criteria for acceptable customer risk, enabling businesses to identify potential problematic payers.
• Apply these criteria to new and existing customers, ensuring credit terms align with their payment capabilities.
• Enforce credit policies consistently and consider implementing consequences for non-compliance.

3. Simplify Payments

Make it as easy as possible for customers to pay you promptly. Offer multiple payment options, such as credit card payments or online payment portals, to provide convenience and flexibility.

Clear communication regarding payment methods and due dates helps customers understand their obligations and reduces confusion that can lead to delays.

4. Improve Accounts Receivable Management

Efficient management of accounts receivable is vital for reducing DSO. Implement the following strategies to optimize the process:

• Develop a robust follow-up plan for late payments, ensuring regular communication with customers to address any issues or disputes promptly.
• Encourage customers to communicate their challenges and explore special payment arrangements if necessary.
• Automate accounts receivable processes, such as reminders and statements, to save time and reduce errors.
• Consider integrating accounts receivable software that provides workflow automation, integrated payments, and customer portals, enabling streamlined management and improved efficiency.

5. Provide Incentives

Offering incentives for early payment can motivate customers to pay sooner and reduce DSO.

Consider options such as early payment discounts or exclusive offers for repeat customers. These incentives not only encourage prompt payments but also strengthen customer relationships and loyalty.

What are the Other Metrics to Analyze Along with the DSO?

While DSO calculations help optimize A/R, they still leave room for assumptions. That’s why it’s best to consider other factors for a clear picture. Besides, these factors help the senior management detect error-prone areas and formulate an action plan to eliminate them.

1. Collections Effectiveness Index (CEI)

As the name suggests, CEI measures how effective the collections team and their procedures are. Acknowledged as one of the best metrics to consider along with DSO, you can interpret the order-to-cash teams’ performance.

2. Bad Debt to Sales

Bad debt occurs when customers can’t pay their dues, and this metric shows how much is written off. This is measured in ratio, and if it increases with time, it suggests weak credit policies and management.

3. Days Deduction Outstanding

DDO or Days Deduction Outstanding is a metric calculated to clarify how a business deals with its deductions. DDO is calculated by dividing the outstanding deductions by the average deductions in a certain period. The period could be three, six, or 12 months.

4. Accounts Receivable Turnover Ratio

A crucial metric to gauge how a business manages and collects its assets. We recommend aiming for a high A/R turnover ratio as it indicates process efficiency.

5. Best Possible Days Sales Outstanding

This metric defines the best possible number of days it takes for a business to collect its receivables. It’s theoretically calculated for an internal comparison between the DSO and BPDSO. Based on this, the senior management establishes the best method for benchmarking AR.

Use the Right Tool For Your Collection Process

Reducing DSO becomes nearly impossible when relying on slow manual processes. To optimize your collections and improve cash flow, every component of your business should have efficient processes in place, and your collections are no exception.

In addition to providing proper training, it is crucial to equip your teams with the right tools to enhance their collection performance. Investing in a comprehensive accounts receivable software can revolutionize your collection processes, spanning from invoices to cash receipts.

An exceptional accounts receivable software platform offers a wide range of tools, including workflow automation, integrated payments, and customer portals. By leveraging these features, you can enjoy enhanced convenience and flexibility for both your team and customers.

The implementation of outstanding accounts receivable software not only aids in reducing DSO but also saves you valuable time, money, and resources. With increased automation and smarter processes, you can work more efficiently and effectively.

Streamline Your Accounts Receivable Processes

Reducing DSO is a critical aspect of effective cash flow management. By implementing the strategies outlined in this ultimate guide, businesses can optimize their accounts receivable processes, improve cash collection efficiency, and maintain a healthy cash flow.

Peakflo allows you to streamline all of your accounts and collection processes under one high-performing digital platform. We offer features that help you increase your A/R team’s productivity and make it easier for customers to pay you on time.

Big or small, we’ll provide you with a complete picture of your company’s finance.

Connect your accounting software with Peakflo today and start automating your accounts receivables!