Use the "percent of sales method" of preparing pro forma financial statements to determine the projection for next year's accounts receivable. Make the following assumptions: current year's sales are $45,450,000; current year's cost of goods sold is $26,950,000; sales are expected to rise by 20%. The firm's investment in accounts receivable in the current year is $8,600,000. The firm's marginal tax rate is 35%. What is the projection for next year's accounts receivable?

a. $11,345,000

b. $10,320,000

c. $9,575,000

d. $8,772,000