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9609 · 10.2.3

Financial efficiency ratios flashcards

Revision flashcards for Cambridge 9609 Financial efficiency ratios (syllabus 10.2.3). Flip, recall, then mark a real past-paper question.

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    Asset turnover formula?

    Revenue ÷ Capital employed (or net assets).

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    Inventory days formula?

    Inventory ÷ Cost of sales × 365.

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    Receivables days formula?

    Trade receivables ÷ Credit sales × 365.

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    Payables days formula?

    Trade payables ÷ Credit purchases × 365.

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    Rising inventory days?

    Stock building up — slow sales, over-ordering, obsolete stock.

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    Rising receivables days?

    Customers paying slower — credit control weakness or customer cash problems.

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    High asset turnover?

    Generating more sales per $ of capital — efficient (compare with industry).

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    Cash operating cycle?

    Inventory days + Receivables days − Payables days — time cash is tied up.

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    What is the Asset Turnover ratio and what does it measure?

    Formula: Sales Revenue / Net Assets. It measures how efficiently a business is using its assets to generate sales. A higher value indicates greater efficiency.

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    What does the Inventory Days ratio indicate?

    It indicates the average number of days a business holds its inventory before it is sold. A lower number of days suggests efficient inventory management, but risks stock-outs.

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    What is the Trade Receivables Days ratio and its implication for cash flow?

    Formula: (Trade Receivables / Credit Sales) x 365. It measures the average time taken to collect money from credit customers. A shorter period improves cash flow.

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    What is the Working Capital Cycle?

    It is the time it takes to convert net current assets and liabilities into cash. Calculated as: Inventory Days + Receivables Days - Payables Days. A shorter cycle is better for liquidity.

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    What are the likely consequences of a very low Asset Turnover ratio compared to competitors?

    It suggests the business's assets are being underutilised. This could be due to excess capacity, inefficient processes, or poor sales performance relative to the investment in assets, leading to lower overall profitability.