Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable

Accounts receivable represent the money your customers still owe you for sales that have already been invoiced. Accounts payable are the opposite: the money you owe your suppliers. Together, they put a significant strain on your cash flow (the money actually available in the company's account).

Brief

Customer accounts: money owed to you, therefore an asset owned by the company.
Accounts payable: money you owe, therefore a debt (a liability)
The age report shows which bills are outstanding, and for how long.
Le délai moyen de recouvrement mesure le nombre de jours que vos clients prennent pour payer : plus il est court, plus votre trésorerie respire
Monitoring them closely directly protects your cash flow (the money in the account).

Why does this matter?

Une entreprise peut afficher un beau profit sur papier et quand même manquer d'argent en banque : c'est presque toujours une histoire de comptes clients qui traînent. Exemple concret : vous facturez 10 000 $ de travail livré, mais le client paie dans 60 jours, alors que vous, vous payez vos employés et vos fournisseurs cette semaine. Pendant ces 60 jours, vous financez votre client sans intérêt, avec votre propre argent. À l'inverse, bien gérer vos comptes fournisseurs (utiliser les délais de paiement qu'on vous accorde) vous donne de l'air, sans nuire à vos relations. Un rituel simple aide : sortir chaque semaine la liste de ce qu'on vous doit, relancer tôt, et facturer dès que le travail est livré. Ces montants transitent par votre grand livre et pèsent directement sur votre seuil de rentabilité, car une vente rentable sur papier ne rapporte rien tant qu'elle n'est pas encaissée. La BDC détaille des méthodes concrètes pour accélérer le recouvrement. Bankeo vous présente gratuitement un comptable vérifié qui met en place ce suivi, et on reste à vos côtés.

Frequently asked questions

Customer accounts, supplier accounts: what exactly are they?

Accounts receivable are the invoices you've sent but haven't yet paid: money owed to you. Accounts payable are the invoices you've received but haven't yet paid: money you owe. These two lists, together, show how much money will soon be coming in and going out.

Why is my business profitable, but still tight on cash?

Profit is calculated when you invoice, but money only comes in when the customer pays. If your customers pay in 60 days while you pay your suppliers in 30 days, you're financing the difference with your own money. The solution: clear payment terms, prompt invoicing, and regular reminders.

How can I better manage my customer accounts?

Invoice as soon as the work is delivered, offer electronic payment, include your payment terms in the contract, and follow up promptly at the first sign of delay; a deposit at the outset also helps. A key tool: the aging report, a table that categorizes your unpaid invoices by age (current, 30, 60, 90 days and more) to see which ones to prioritize. Bankeo will connect you with a certified accountant free of charge to implement these practices and follow-up procedures, at no cost to you, and we'll be there to support you every step of the way.