Julie Welk, Head of Finance calls you into her office and says:

I have just been talking to Ben Thakar, Sales and Marketing Director, about the S-Pencil. In the first few months after the launch sales volumes were a little lower than budgeted. As a result of this, three months ago two things happened: firstly, Ben authorised a special promotional price for the S-Pencil on our website for sales direct to the public and secondly, he tasked his sales teams to secure new retail customers and gave them authority to offer small discounts and extended credit terms to any new retail customers.

Ben has asked me to look in detail at the impact of his actions three months ago on our actual profit compared to budget and the recoverability of our retail customer receivables. I have so far created a schedule which shows sales variances for the S-Pencil for the last three months as well as the aged receivables information for the S-Pencil customer. I would like you to prepare commentary to go with this schedule which explains:

1) What the sales price, mix, and quantity variances mean and the reasons for their occurrence. Please also comment on whether you think that Ben's two actions have been successful, with reference to each of the customer groups.  (52 marks)

 

2) How the profile of aged receivables has changed over the last three months, reasons for these changes, and the potential implication of these changes. Please also include two measures that we could take to manage these implications.  (48 marks)

 

Julie Welk then hands you her schedule.

Notes:

1. A = adverse, F= favourable.

2. These variances are for our sales to large retailers, small retailers and directly to consumers through our website.

3. The sales mix and quantity variances are calculated using the individual units method and budgeted gross profit. The budgeted gross profits are as follows:

4. During the three-month period there was a change in the profile of S-Pencil customers as shown in the aged receivables comparison below.

AGED RECEIVABLES COMPARISON: S-PENCIL CUSTOMERS

Variance	Large retailers	Small retailers	Website
	G$	G$	G$
Budgeted gross profit	6.75	9.25	12.75

 

3 months ago

Type of customer	Numbers of customers	Total amount due	Due within payment terms	Up to 30days overdue
Large retailers	3	711	612	78

Notes:

- Standard credit terms for credit customers is 30 days.

- The three large retailer customers are the same customers.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

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