Cash, Credit & Collections Management

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In today’s uncertain and competitive financial climate, maintaining strong cash flow, managing credit wisely, and effectively handling collections are essential for business survival and success. This high-impact webinar dives into the critical connection between cash, credit, and collections—often referred to as the true “king” in today’s economy. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how each of these components plays a vital role in strengthening financial performance and ensuring sustainable growth.

The session will break down both basic and advanced credit analysis techniques, emphasizing the five “Cs” of credit—character, capacity, capital, collateral, and conditions. Attendees will also review the four fundamental financial statements and apply a powerful five-step financial analysis model focusing on liquidity, activity, leverage, operating performance, and cash flow. With a special focus on cash flow as the "lifeblood" of any business, the webinar provides actionable insights for improving financial decision-making.

Further, this session explores practical and strategic cash management tools, along with both foundational and advanced collection techniques. Legal considerations in collections and best practices in negotiation—whether over the phone or in-person—will be discussed. The webinar will also emphasize how to manage the overall collection process effectively, taking into account operational strategy and the human dynamics involved.

Your Benefits For Attending:
  • Explore credit analysis, including the five “Cs” of credit
  • Display and interpret the “four” basic financial statements
  • Learn and apply a five-step financial statement analysis model, including cash flow analysis
  • Review essential and advanced cash management tools
  • Discover effective collection techniques, including legal aspects and negotiation skills
  • Understand best practices for managing the overall collection process, including the human element

This webinar is a valuable opportunity for professionals seeking to enhance their financial decision-making skills and strengthen their company’s cash flow. You’ll gain practical tools and techniques that can be immediately applied to protect and grow your organization’s financial health.

Level: Intermediate
Format: Live Webcast
Instructional Method: Group: Internet-Based
NASBA Field of Study: Accounting
Program Prerequisites: None
Advance Preparation: None

  1. Introduction
  2. Overview 00:03:55
  3. Credit Analysis -Section A- The Basics: What is Credit? 00:07:53
  4. Credit Analysis -Section B - How Does a Company Really Obtain/Grant Credit? 00:28:12
  5. Traditional Trade Credit 00:37:36
  6. Granting Terms 00:39:54
  7. Credit Analysis -Section C - The Five “Cs” of Credit: 00:42:01
  8. Credit Analysis -Section E - Advanced Techniques 00:45:48
  9. Financial Statement Analysis 00:50:55
  10. Financial Statement Analysis (Five-Step Model) 00:52:12
  11. Activity (Turn Factors) 00:57:28
  12. Leverage 00:58:25
  13. Cash Flow Analysis 01:00:59
  14. Personal Cash Flow (Business Owner/Guarantor) 01:05:13
  15. Global Cash Flow 01:07:53
  16. Cash Management Techniques (Basic and Advanced) 01:09:08
  17. Cash Management Techniques - Simple Techniques 01:10:10
  18. Cash Management Techniques - Sophisticated (Advanced) Cash Management Techniques 01:12:35
  19. Collection Techniques (Including Negotiation Skills) 01:16:59
  20. Collection Techniques - Dialing For Dollars 01:17:05
  21. Collection Techniques - Knowing Your Customer 01:19:00
  22. Collection Techniques - Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 01:22:37
  23. Collection Techniques - Legal Aspects of Collections 01:24:49
  24. Collection Management (A Human Approach) 01:30:46
  25. Summary 01:37:09
  26. Presentation Closing 01:40:38
  • David L. Osburn, MBA

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  • Accounts Payable (AP) 00:57:41
  • Accounts Receivable (AR) 00:13:47, 00:53:24, 00:57:34
  • Amortization 00:14:11, 01:03:57
  • Asset 00:23:39, 00:44:06, 00:54:39, 01:04:15
  • Balance Sheet (BS) 00:51:18, 00:58:45, 01:08:08
  • Cash Flow (CF) 00:04:16, 00:05:43, 00:42:53,01:01:05, 01:37:56
  • Cash Flow Analysis 00:52:51
  • Cash Flow Statement 00:50:55. 00:57:45
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) 01:25:19
  • Cost Of Goods Sold (COGS) 00:58:11
  • Credit Analysis 00:04:40, 00:07:11, 00:07:57, 00:42:10
  • Depreciation 01:03:54
  • EBITDA 01:02:04
  • Expenditure 01:03:56
  • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) 01:25:00
  • Financial Statement 00:05:22, 00:51:08, 00:59:01, 01:08:06
  • Financial Statement Analysis 00:05:17, 00:07:12, 00:45:53, 00:52:14
  • Global Cash Flow 01:07:53
  • Income Statement 00:51:17, 01:08:07
  • Inventory 00:13:48, 00:53:25, 00:54:51, 00:59:15
  • Liability 00:54:41
  • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 01:
  • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 01:22:37
  • Negotiation 01:17:06
  • RMA - Risk Management Association 00:56:25
  • Zero Balance Account (ZBA) 01:12:36

Accounts Payable (AP): The amount of money a company owes creditors (suppliers, etc.) in return for goods and/or services they have delivered.

Accounts Receivable (AR): The amount of money owed by customers or clients to a business after goods or services have been delivered and/or used.

Amortization: An accounting term that refers to the process of allocating the cost of an intangible asset over a period of time. It also refers to the repayment of loan principal over time. (investinganswers.com)

Asset: Property owned by a person or company, regarded as having value and available to meet debts, commitments or legacies.

Balance Sheet (BS): A financial report that summarizes a company's assets (what it owns), liabilities (what it owes) and owner or shareholder equity at a given time.

Cash Flow (CF): The revenue or expense expected to be generated through business activities (sales, manufacturing, etc.) over a period of time.

Cash Flow Analysis: Cash flow analysis is a financial tool that assesses a company's cash inflows and outflows over a specific period of time. It's a key metric for businesses to understand their financial health and liquidity, and to identify areas for improvement.

Cash Flow Statement: In financial accounting, a cash flow statement, also known as statement of cash flows, is a financial statement that shows how changes in balance sheet accounts and income affect cash and cash equivalents, and breaks the analysis down to operating, investing, and financing activities.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) : The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a US government agency that protects consumers from unfair treatment by financial institutions. The CFPB's mission is to ensure that financial markets are fair, transparent, and competitive

Cost Of Goods Sold (COGS): The direct expenses related to producing the goods sold by a business. The formula for calculating this will depend on what is being produced, but as an example this may include the cost of the raw materials (parts) and the amount of employee labor used in production.

Credit Analysis: Credit analysis is the process of evaluating a person's, company's, or other entity's creditworthiness. It's a key part of the financial sector, and helps lenders, banks, and financial institutions make decisions about extending credit, managing risk, and keeping financial markets stable.

Depreciation: A reduction in the value of an asset with the passage of time, due in particular to wear and tear.

EBITDA: EBITDA stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization and is a metric used to evaluate a company's operating performance. It can be seen as a proxy for cash flow.

Expenditure: An expenditure is money spent on something. Expenditure is often used when people are talking about budgets.

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that prohibits debt collectors from using unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices. The FDCPA protects consumers from debt collection abuses and protects reputable debt collectors from unfair competition.

Financial Statement: Financial statements (or financial reports) are formal records of the financial activities and position of a business, person, or other entity. ... A balance sheet or statement of financial position, reports on a company's assets, liabilities, and owners equity at a given point in time.

Financial Statement Analysis: Financial statement analysis is the process of evaluating a company's financial health and performance by reviewing its financial statements. It's used by a variety of stakeholders to make decisions about a company's financial status.

Global Cash Flow: Global Cash Flow analysis is used by financial institutions to assess the combined cash flow of a group of people and/or entities to get a global picture of their ability to service the proposed debt. Global cash flow should include all of an owner's business and personal income/salary, debt and other financial obligations, and liquidity. On the business side, cash flow is fairly straightforward: net income. + depreciation/amortization and interest. – dividends/distributions.

Income Statement: One of the three primary financial statements used to assess a company's performance and financial position (the two others being the balance sheet and the cash flow statement). The income statement summarizes the revenues and expenses generated by the company over the entire reporting period. (investinganswers.com)

Inventory: A company's inventory typically involves goods in three stages of production: raw goods, in-progress goods, and finished goods that are ready for sale. Inventory or stock refers to the goods and materials that a business holds for the ultimate goal of resale, production or utilization.

Liability: In financial accounting, a liability is defined as the future sacrifices of economic benefits that the entity is obliged to make to other entities as a result of past transactions or other past events, the settlement of which may result in the transfer or use of assets, provision of services or other yielding of economic benefits in the future.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory that describes the five levels of human needs that people must meet to be happy and satisfied. The theory was developed by psychologist Abraham Maslow and published in 1943.

Negotiation: The trading deliberations which generally lead to the lowering of prices by the vendors.

Positive Pay: This service provides the company with early detectionof unauthorized payments so that the encashment of lost, stolen, andcounterfeit checks can be prevented. If a check does not match thecompany’s check issuance record (which has been previouslyprovided via e-mail to the bank), it is flagged for the company’s reviewand approval to either pay or return.

RMA - Risk Management Association: Founded in 1914, the Risk Management Association is a not-for-profit, member-driven professional association whose sole purpose is to advance the use of sound risk management principles in the financial services industry.

Zero Balance Account (ZBA): A zero balance account (ZBA) is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a checking account in which a balance of zero is maintained. When funds are needed in the ZBA, the exact amount of money required is automatically transferred from a central or master account.


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Our webinars are crafted to deliver exceptional value and insight to business professionals. Below, you'll find genuine feedback from attendees, sharing their thoughts on the speaker's performance.

Teresa C.
June 3, 2026
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Pages in order that the presenter uses them to reference is helpful. Especially if we are taking notes relating to them.

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June 3, 2026
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Very informative course.

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June 3, 2026
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Dawn M.
April 8, 2026
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Start on time, vocal clarity could have been better.

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Bencita B.
December 4, 2025
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Lots of information. Presentator need to show result or percentage on poll, or share anwser from poll.

Cynthia B.
December 3, 2025
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Pace was a little slow, hard to stay motivated for the entire period of the presentation.

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December 3, 2025
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very good

Paul K.
October 2, 2025
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Enjoyed the presenter bringing in his real world experiences to the class

Christina K.
October 2, 2025
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Too long did not really find this helpful
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Frequently Asked Questions

The five C's of credit—Character, Capacity, Capital, Collateral, and Conditions—are the foundational framework that lenders and credit analysts use to evaluate a borrower's creditworthiness and the risk of extending credit. Character refers to the borrower's reputation and track record of honoring financial obligations: payment history, credit bureau reports, management background, and industry reputation all inform this assessment. Capacity measures the borrower's ability to repay based on current and projected cash flows—the debt service coverage ratio is the primary metric, comparing available cash flow to total debt service obligations. Capital represents the borrower's equity investment in their own business: higher owner equity signals commitment and provides a cushion for lenders if business performance deteriorates. Collateral is the assets available to secure the loan in the event of default—real estate, equipment, inventory, and receivables are common forms, evaluated at liquidation value rather than book value. Conditions refers to both the purpose and terms of the credit request and the external economic environment affecting the borrower's industry and markets. The five C's framework enables structured, consistent credit analysis that reduces both subjective bias and the risk of overlooking a critical risk dimension. For businesses seeking credit, understanding how lenders apply this framework enables better preparation of financial information and more productive credit conversations with lending institutions.
Effective cash management maximizes the availability and productivity of a business's liquid assets while minimizing costs and risk. Basic techniques include accelerating receivables collection through shorter payment terms, prompt invoicing, electronic payment acceptance, and early payment discount programs that incentivize faster customer payment. Disbursement control—paying vendors on their due dates rather than early—preserves cash without damaging relationships. A zero balance account (ZBA) system maintains a master account with all available cash while disbursement accounts carry zero balances until checks clear, enabling centralized cash management and eliminating idle balances across multiple accounts. Positive pay services, offered by banks, allow businesses to upload check issuance files to the bank so that the bank flags unauthorized or altered checks for review before payment—a critical fraud prevention control. Advanced cash management tools include automated sweeping of excess balances into higher-yield investment vehicles, automated clearing house (ACH) collection programs for recurring receivables, and lockbox services that route remittances directly to the bank, accelerating availability. Cash flow forecasting—maintaining a rolling 13-week projection—provides the forward visibility needed to time borrowing, investing, and payment decisions proactively rather than reactively, enabling financial leaders to negotiate from strength rather than necessity in both credit and vendor relationships.
Effective collection techniques balance the business's need to recover cash with the strategic importance of preserving customer relationships wherever commercially feasible. The most fundamental principle is early intervention: the probability of full recovery declines significantly with each passing month a receivable ages, making prompt contact at first delinquency far more productive than delayed escalation. Initial collection calls should focus on understanding why payment has been delayed—a business relationship issue, a cash flow problem, an invoice dispute, or an oversight—because the appropriate response differs significantly depending on the cause. Understanding Maslow's hierarchy of needs in a collection context means recognizing that customers facing genuine financial distress respond better to structured repayment plans and problem-solving approaches than to aggressive demands. 'Dialing for dollars' techniques—structured call scripts, timely follow-up cadences, and escalation sequences—create systematic coverage of the aging report rather than allowing collectors to focus only on the easiest recoveries. For larger balances, knowing your customer's payment approval structure—who actually authorizes payments and how decisions are made—enables outreach to the decision-maker rather than the gatekeeper. Documenting all collection activities protects the business's legal position and informs the credit decision when the customer requests future terms. Early escalation to formal demand letters, credit holds, and legal collections preserves recovery options before the statute of limitations narrows them.
While the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) primarily regulates third-party debt collectors rather than original business creditors collecting their own accounts, businesses operating in consumer credit must understand the FDCPA's provisions if they use outside collection agencies—and many states have extended FDCPA-like obligations to original creditors as well. The FDCPA prohibits deceptive, unfair, and abusive collection practices including: calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.; contacting third parties (other than spouses or attorneys) about the debt; threatening legal action the collector does not intend to take; misrepresenting the amount owed; using obscene or threatening language; and contacting a consumer directly after receiving written notice to cease communication. Businesses must also be aware of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB's) Debt Collection Rule, which addresses communications through newer channels including email and text messaging. For commercial (business-to-business) collections, the FDCPA does not apply, but state commercial collection statutes and common law restrictions on harassment and false statements remain relevant. Understanding these legal boundaries is essential for businesses managing collections in-house and for evaluating and overseeing third-party collection agencies, whose violations can create secondary liability for the business that hired them.
A structured financial statement analysis for credit purposes evaluates the borrower's or customer's financial health across five dimensions: liquidity, activity, leverage, operating performance, and cash flow. Liquidity analysis—using ratios like the current ratio (current assets ÷ current liabilities) and quick ratio—assesses the ability to meet short-term obligations. Activity ratios—accounts receivable days, inventory days, and accounts payable days—reveal how efficiently the company manages its working capital cycle; a lengthening receivables collection period or slowing inventory turns can signal emerging financial stress before it appears in profitability metrics. Leverage ratios—debt-to-equity and debt service coverage—measure the extent to which the business is financed by debt and its capacity to service that debt from operating cash flows, the most critical metric for a credit decision. Operating performance analysis examines gross margin trends, operating margin stability, and return on assets to evaluate the quality and sustainability of earnings. Cash flow analysis goes beyond reported net income to examine actual operating cash generation—businesses can show accounting profits while consuming cash, or the reverse—and is the most reliable predictor of debt repayment capacity. Comparing all ratios to industry benchmarks from sources like the Risk Management Association (RMA) provides essential context, as acceptable ratios vary significantly by industry. The resulting analysis supports a credit decision grounded in financial evidence rather than subjective impressions.