Micro-Tek Company completed its fiscal year on December 31, 2007. The auditor, Ashley Blake, has approached the CFO, Gwen Williams, regarding the year-end receivables and inventory levels of Micro-Tek. The following conversation takes place:
Ashley: We are beginning our audit of Micro-Tek and have prepared ratio analyses to determine if there have been significant changes in operations or financial position. This helps us guide the audit process. This analysis indicates that the inventory turnover has decreased from 15 to 8.5, while the accounts receivable turnover has decreased from 12 to 8.
I was wondering if you could explain this change in operations.
Gwen: There is little need for concern. The inventory represents computers that we were unable to sell during the holiday buying season. We are confident, however, that we will be able to sell these computers as we move into the next fiscal year.
Ashley: What gives you this confidence?
Gwen: We will increase our advertising and provide some very attractive price concessions to move these machines. We have no choice. Newer technology is already out there, and we have to unload this inventory.
Ashley: . . . and the receivables?
Gwen: As you may be aware, the company is under tremendous pressure to expand sales and profits. As a result, we lowered our credit standards to our commercial customers so that we would be able to sell products to a broader customer base. As a result of this policy change, we have been able to expand sales by 35%.
Ashley: Your responses have not been reassuring to me.
Gwen: I’m a little confused. Assets are good, right? Why don’t you look at our current ratio? It has improved, hasn’t it? I would think that you would view that very favorably.
Why is Ashley concerned about the inventory and accounts receivable turnover ratios and Gwen’s responses to them? What action may Ashley need to take? How would you respond to Gwen’s last comment?