Finance

Average Collection Period Calculator

Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) — how many days it takes to collect payment from customers.

Formulas:
ACP = (Avg A/R / Net Credit Sales) × Days
Or: ACP = Days / AR Turnover
AR Turnover = Net Credit Sales / Avg A/R

Why DSO Matters

A lower collection period means faster cash conversion. If your DSO is 30 days, you collect within a month. At 60 days, money is tied up twice as long, straining cash flow.

DSO Benchmarks

IndustryAvg DSO
Retail (mostly cash/card)5-15 days
SaaS / Subscriptions30-45 days
Professional Services40-60 days
Manufacturing / B2B45-70 days
Construction60-90 days

Improving Collections

  • Invoice immediately upon delivery
  • Offer early payment discounts (2/10 net 30)
  • Automate payment reminders
  • Require deposits or milestone payments