Question

Discuss the flow of cash through the transaction cycles. Include in your discussion the relevant subsystems and any time lags that may occur. 

Answer 1

Cash flows into the firm from sales made to customers. The sales order processing subsystem of the revenue cycle captures the intent of customers to exchange cash for services or goods manufactured. Typically sales are made on credit. The cash receipts subsystem of the revenue cycle captures the actual receipt of cash. Depending on the credit terms and promptness of payment by the customer, the lag between the sales order processing subsystem and the cash receipts subsystem may be days, weeks, or months.

The cash inflow allows the organization to purchase raw materials, pay workers, and buy capital assets necessary to manufacture the product (or to provide services). The raw materials requirements are determined by the production planning subsystem of the conversion cycle. These requirements trigger orders being placed through the purchases/accounts payable subsystem of the expenditure cycle. For credit sales, the cash is ultimately released once the goods are received (or services are performed) and an invoice has been received. The lag between receiving goods and disbursement of cash may be days or weeks. Cash is also disbursed to employees, typically after services are rendered by the employees. The lag is usually no more than one-half a month for salaried employees and as short as one-half a week for hourly wage earners. The payroll subsystem of the expenditure system captures these disbursements to employees.