Receivables management (debitorstyring)
Also known as accounts receivable management, credit control, debtor ledger management, debitorhåndtering, debitorbogholderi, debitorstyringsproces
Receivables management is the end-to-end control of outstanding invoices — from invoice to payment, reminder or debt collection.
Key facts
- Measured on
- DSO and write-off rate
In practice
Receivables management is not bookkeeping. It is a process with a decision at each end: who do we extend credit to, and what do we do when they do not pay.
What separates a company with a DSO of 32 from one with 58 is rarely the character of its customers. It is whether the reminder actually goes out on day 1 — every time, without anyone having to remember it.
Where it commonly goes wrong
- The reminder run is manual. Then it is deprioritised in busy weeks, and that is precisely when arrears grow.
- Responsibility sits with the finance team alone. Sales owns the relationship and approved the credit. Without them there is no consequence.
- You measure arrears in kroner rather than in age. A large balance paid on time is healthy. A small one at 120 days is not.