Back to results for “Control Accounts”
Bookkeeping › Sales & Purchase Ledgers

What is an aged receivables (debtors) analysis and why is it used?

Intermediate

Answer

An aged receivables analysis groups customer balances by how long they've been outstanding (current, 30, 60, 90+ days). Produced from the sales ledger, it highlights overdue accounts for collection, informs credit decisions and bad-debt provisions, and helps manage cash flow.
Aged debtors:
  Current 4,000 | 31-60: 1,500 | 61-90: 600 | 90+: 400
Real-world example The bookkeeper reviews the aged debtors report to chase the oldest balances first.

Common follow-ups: How does aging aid collections? | What informs a bad-debt provision?