Collection effectiveness index
/What is the Collection Effectiveness Index?
The collection effectiveness index (CEI) is a measure of the ability of the collections staff to collect funds from customers. It operates at a somewhat higher level of precision than the days sales outstanding (DSO) measurement, and so is finding increasing popularity among collection managers.
The collection effectiveness index compares the amount that was collected in a given time period to the amount of receivables that were available for collection in that time period. A result near 100% indicates that a collection department has been very effective in collecting from customers.
Formula for the Collection Effectiveness Index
The formula for the CEI is to combine the beginning receivables for the measurement period with the credit sales for that period, less the amount of ending receivables, and then divide this number by the sum of the beginning receivables for the measurement period and the credit sales for that period, less the amount of ending current receivables. Then, multiply the result by 100 to arrive at a CEI percentage. Thus, the formula is stated as:
((Beginning receivables + Monthly credit sales - Ending total receivables) ÷ (Beginning receivables
+ Monthly credit sales - Ending current receivables)) x 100
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Disadvantages of the Collection Effectiveness Index
Though the collection effectiveness index is generally useful, it does have a few problems, which are as follows:
Ignores aging of receivables. The index does not consider how long overdue certain receivables are, which can be a critical indicator of collection risk. A high index may still mask issues if a significant portion of overdue accounts is carried forward.
Limited insight into payment behavior. The index provides a percentage but does not reveal detailed insights about customer payment trends or specific problem accounts.
Does not distinguish between write-offs and payments. The index assumes that reductions in receivables are due to collections, but write-offs (unrecoverable debts) can also reduce receivables, thereby inflating the index.
Focuses on historical performance. The index is retrospective, and so does not predict future collection risks or trends.
Excludes cash sales. The index applies only to credit sales and receivables, leaving out cash sales, which can also impact cash flow and financial health.
Misleading when used alone. Relying solely on the index can give an incomplete picture of financial health, as it does not consider broader factors like sales volume, credit policies, or economic conditions.
While the collection effectiveness index is a valuable tool, its limitations mean that it should be used alongside other metrics, such as days sales outstanding, aging reports, and bad debt ratios, for a more comprehensive view of receivables performance.
Collection Effectiveness Index vs. Days Sales Outstanding
Days sales outstanding (DSO) is the average number of days that receivables remain outstanding before they are collected. The DSO calculation tends to be less accurate than the CEI measurement for very short periods of time, since it includes receivables from prior periods that do not directly relate to the credit sales figure in that calculation. Conversely, the CEI figure can be calculated for a period of any duration, such as a single month.