Research and find the most recent 10K filing for two publicly traded merchandising companies of your choice. You can search for 10-K annual reports using SEC.gov or by visiting the website of the company, directly, and searching for the investor relations materials. Make sure you use the latest available annual report for the companies which you choose and make sure the 2 companies are in the same type of industry (for example Home Depot compared to Lowes; Nike compared to Under Armour; Walmart compared to Target are some good examples).

Upon completion of your research, draft your initial response by answer the following questions:

• Give an overview of the company selected and describe the types of products that are sold by the company you researched.
• For your selected two companies: Compute the accounts receivable turnover ratio and the number of days sales in accounts receivable for the years and the two companies you researched and show the bases of your calculation as part of your initial response. Comment on your results. For example
  • What is the trend(s) in the accounts receivable turnover ratio and the number of days sales in accounts receivable for both companies?
  • How do they compare to each other?
  • Which is more effective at collecting their accounts receivable faster?

Example to Include at the start of your initial response:

Company A:

Accounts Receivable Turnover: Year ended in 2020: 6 times; Year ended in 2019: 5 times; Year ended in 2018: 6 times.

Number of Days Sales in Accounts Receivable: 2020: 35; 2019: 30; 2018: 45.

Company B:

Accounts Receivable Turnover: Year ended in 2020: 8 times; Year ended in 2019: 9 times; Year ended in 2018: 10 times.

Number of Days Sales in Accounts Receivable: 2020: 45; 2019: 60; 2018: 47.