Astro Company is preparing a cash budget for the fourth quarter of the year 2017. The following information is available:

August September October November December

Sales (in dollars) $160,000 $190,000 $170,000 $150,000 $210,000

Purchases of Direct Materials (in dollars) $45,000 $58,000 $52,000 $37,000 $63,000

Direct Labor Costs $65,000 $78,000 $71,000 $60,000 $94,000

Overhead Costs $34,000 $34,000 $34,000 $34,000 $34,000

Selling and Admin Costs $29,000 $29,000 $29,000 $29,000 $29,000

All sales are made on account. The accounts receivable are collected as follows: 20% in the month of sale; 70% in the month following the sale; and 10% in the second month following the sale.

All purchases of direct materials are on account. The purchases on account are paid as follows: 60% in the month following the purchase; and 40% in the second month following the purchase.

All other costs are paid as incurred. The overhead costs include $3,000 of monthly depreciation and the selling and administrative costs include $1,000 of monthly depreciation.

The projected beginning cash balance on October 1 is $5,000. Astro Company would like to maintain a $5,000 ending cash balance each month.

REQUIRED:

A. Prepare a schedule of cash collections from sales for October, November, and December.

B. Determine the expected accounts receiavble balance on December 31.

C. Prepare a schedule of cash payments for direct material purchases for October, November, and December.

D. Determine the expected accounts payable balance on December 31.

E. Prepare a cash budget for October, November, and December.

F. Based on the results of your budget, do you think some additional cash planning is required? Give TWO possible suggestions for amending the cash budget.