The management accountant at Miller Merchandising & More, Odail Russell is in the process of preparing the cash budget for the business for the fourth quarter of 2021. It is customary for the business to borrow money during this quarter. Extracts from the sales and purchases budgets are as follows:

Month Cash Sales Sales On Account Purchases

August 85,000 640,000 420,000

September 70,000 550,000 550,000

October 88,550 600,000 500,000

November 77,160 800,000 600,000

December 174,870 500,000 450,000

i) An analysis of the records shows that trade receivables are settled according to the following credit pattern, in accordance with the credit terms 4/30, n90:

50% in the month of sale

30% in the first month following the sale

20% in the second month following the sale

ii) Expected purchases include monthly cash purchases of 5%. All other purchases are on account. Accounts payable are settled as follows, in accordance with the credit terms 2/30, n60:

60% in the month in which the inventory is purchased

40% in the following month

iii) Fixed operating expenses which accrue evenly throughout the year, are estimated to be $1,680,000 per annum, (including depreciation on non-current assets of $420,000 per annum) and is settled monthly.

iv) Wages and salaries are expected to be $2,280,000 per annum and will be paid monthly.

v) Other operating expenses are expected to be $108,000 per quarter and will be settled monthly.

vi) In the month of November, an old motor vehicle, which cost $650,000, will be sold to an employee at a gain of $30,000. Accumulated depreciation on the motor vehicle at that time is expected to be $540,000. The employee will be allowed to pay a deposit equal to 60% of the selling price in November and the balance settled in two equal amounts in December 2021 & January of 2022.

vii) Computer equipment, which is estimated to cost $320,000, will be acquired in November. The manager has made arrangements with the dealer to make a cash deposit of 50% of the amount upon signing of the agreement in November, with the balance to be settled in four equal monthly instalments, starting in December 2021

viii) The management of Miller Merchandising Company has negotiated with a tenant to rent office space to her beginning November 1. The rental is $624,000 per annum. The first months rent along with one months safety deposit is expected to be collected on November 1. Thereafter, monthly rental income becomes due at the beginning of each month.

ix) Taxation of $85,000 has to be settled in December.

x) A money market instrument purchased by the company with a face value of $300,000 will mature on October 15, 2021. In order to meet the financial obligations of the business, management has decided to liquidate the investment upon maturity. On that date quarterly interest computed at a rate of 5% per annum is also expected to be collected.

xi) The cash balance at December 31, 2021 is expected to be an overdraft of $236,000.

Required:

(a) Another team member who is preparing the Budgeted Balance Sheet for the business for the same quarter and has asked you to furnish him with the figures for the expected trade receivables and payables to be included in the statement at December 31, 2021. Is that a reasonable request? If yes, what should these amounts be?

(b) Upon receipt of the budget the team manager has now informed you that the management of Miller Merchandising & More have indicated a desire to maintain a minimum cash balance of $125,000 each month. Based on the budget prepared, will the business be achieving this desired target? Given that the management does not wish to borrow any funds from outside sources, suggest three (3) internal strategies that the business may employ in order to improve the organizations monthly cash flow. Each strategy must be fully explained.