ARS.2 E-Textbook

CHAPTER 4: CREDIT MANAGEMENT

4.10 Internal Credit Score

Scorecards should be developed in-house based on the company’s business plan, goals, and the amount of risk the CFO is willing to take to achieve sales goals. A simple score should be assigned to each category and can be scaled or weighted to a standard (e.g., 0-to-10, 0-to-100). Credit bureau scores are usually scaled from 100 to 999. The overall score can then be used to approve, deny, or assign a credit line, terms, and payment methods.

Scorecard inputs include the following:

— Government-issued block lists—if the person or entity is on the list, cease further activity and do not proceed with any business relationship (Score = zero) — Financial statements (at least three years to get trending) — Portfolio — References — Credit agency score

— Credit group — Personal visit — Sales team input — Internet — Trade magazines

You cannot rely on a single tool. Evaluate as many tools as possible to make a credit decision. Any category for which information is not provided scores a zero.

For example, if you use 10 categories, you can weigh each between 0-10. If each category were issued a 10, the total score would be 100. for a scorecard example, see the chart below.

OVERALL SCORE (0-100)

Score

Credit Line

Pay Method

Terms

0

Very Hight Risk

None

None

None

1-10

High Risk

Zero

Credit Card or CIA Prior to Shipment

11-20 Borderline

Very Small

Paper Check

2% 10 Net 15

21-40 Average

Small

Paper Check

2% 10 Net 15

41-59 Above Average

Medium

Paper Check

2% 10 Net 15

60-80 Good

Medium

e-Payment

2% 10 Net 30

81-100 Excellent

Large

e-Payment

2% 10 Net 30

FIGURE 6

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THE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION PROGRAM E-TEXTBOOK

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