Cash management is a very important function of managers. Companies need to manage their operations in a way that they can sustain growth and yet not run out of cash.

Consider the case of the Extensive Enterprises Corporation:

Extensive Enterprises Corporation has forecasted sales of $30,000,000 for next year and expects its cost of goods sold (COGS) to remain at 80% of sales. Currently, the firm holds $3,200,000 in inventories, $1,900,000 in accounts receivable, and $2,600,000 in accounts payable.

Approximately how long does it take Extensive Enterprises to convert its raw materials to its finished products and then to sell those goods? (Note: In all calculations, assume that there are 365 days in a year.)

36.50 days

51.10 days

43.80 days

48.67 days

On average, it takes from the time a sale is made until the time cash is collected from customers.

Extensive Enterprises relies on customer credit when it buys raw materials from its suppliers. On average, it takes after the firm purchases materials before it sends cash to its suppliers.

What is the length of Extensives cash conversion cycle (CCC)?

35.48 days

32.25 days

29.03 days

38.70 days

The management at Extensive Enterprises wants to continue its internal discussions regarding its cash management. One of the finance team members presents the following case to her cohorts:

Case in Discussion

Black Sheep Broadcasting Companys management plans to finance its operations with bank loans that will be repaid as soon as cash is available. The companys management expects that it will take 60 days to manufacture and sell its products and 50 days to receive payment from its customers. Black Sheep Broadcasting Companys CFO has told the rest of the management team that they should expect the length of the bank loans to be approximately 110 days.

Which of the following responses to the CFOs statement is most accurate?

The CFOs approximation of the length of the bank loans should be accurate, because it will take 110 days for the company to manufacture, sell, and collect cash for its goods. All these things must occur for the company to be able to repay its loans from the bank.

The CFO is not taking into account the amount of time the company has to pay its suppliers. Generally, there is a certain length of time between the purchase of materials and labor and the payment of cash for them. The CFO can reduce the estimated length of the bank loan by this amount of time.

Is it possible for a firm to have a negative CCC?

No

Yes