Fin 5130 Instructor: Dr. Palkar Mini-Case 2 Late Submission

Fin 5130 Fin 5130 Instructor: Dr. Palkar Mini-Case 2 Late submissions will not be accepted so please plan accordingly.

This assignment will require you to prepare the cash budget and determine the cash surplus and shortage each month. The management estimates total sales for the period January through July based on actual sales from the immediate past quarter. The following assumptions are made: Sales: Past and Expected October $300,000 January $150,000 November $350,000 February $200,000 December $400,000 March $200,000 April $300,000 May $250,000 June $200,000 July $300,000 Historical Forecast a. 25% of the Sales will be collected in the same month of the Sale. 60% of the Sales will be collected one month following the sale. 10% will be collected two months following the sale. The remainder will be collected three months following the sale. Bad debts are insignificant. b. Purchases are 80% of sales and are paid in the same month. c. Wages and salaries are as follows: January $30,000 February $40,000 March $50,000 April $50,000 May $40,000 June $35,000 Wages and salaries are paid in the same month. d. Rent is $10,000 per month. Rent is paid in the same month. e. The company issued $500,000 bonds, paying annual coupon rate of 5%. Interest on these bonds is paid at the end of each calendar quarter. Hint: First, calculate the coupon interest amount for each quarter. Then, this quarterly interest amount will be paid at the end of each calendar quarter. f. A tax prepayment of $75,000 is paid in April. g. Machinery worth $35,000 will be purchased in March. h. Cash on hand on January 1st will amount to $100,000 and a minimum cash balance of $100,000 each month will be maintained throughout the period. 1. Prepare cash budget from January to June. 2. Determine the cash surplus and shortages for each month from January to June

Paper For Above instruction

The task of preparing a comprehensive cash budget for a company involves meticulous analysis of cash inflows and outflows, ensuring sufficient liquidity while maintaining minimum cash balances. The period under review spans from January through June, with specific assumptions regarding sales collections, purchases, expenses, debt service, capital expenditures, and other cash transactions. This paper discusses the necessary steps to create an accurate cash budget, estimates monthly cash surpluses or shortages, and interprets the results to inform fiscal strategies.

Introduction

Effective cash management is vital for any firm's financial health. It ensures that the organization can meet its short-term obligations, invest in growth opportunities, and avoid liquidity crises. For this particular scenario, the company’s cash inflows are primarily derived from sales, bond interest income, and possibly other minor sources. Outflows include purchases, wages, rent, capital expenditures, debt interest, tax prepayments, and bond repayments. The challenge lies in projecting these cash flows for each month and analyzing the surplus or deficit that could impact operational flexibility.

Estimating Cash Inflows

The major component of cash inflows originates from sales. Based on the provided sales data, collection patterns are modeled as follows: 25% collected in the same month as sale, 60% one month later, 10% two months later, and the remaining 5% three months later (since 25% + 60% + 10% + 5% = 100%). Applying this collection schedule requires tracking sales from previous months as well as current month sales.

For example, January sales of $150,000 would generate: 25% ($37,500) collected in January, 60% ($90,000) collected in February, 10% ($15,000) in March, and 5% ($7,500) in April. Similar calculations are performed for each month, utilizing historical sales data and collection percentages.

Other cash inflows include bond interest payments. Since bonds are issued at $500,000 with a 5% annual coupon, quarterly interest payments amount to $6,250 ($500,000 * 5% / 4). These payments are made at the end of each calendar quarter: March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. For the period January to June, interest payments will occur at the end of March and June.

Estimating Cash Outflows

Cash outflows encompass purchases, wages, rent, capital expenditures, taxes, and interest payments. Purchase costs are 80% of sales and are paid in the same month, directly aligning with the sales schedule. Wages are specified explicitly for each month; payments are made in the same month.

Rent at $10,000 per month is paid when due. Additionally, there is a capital expenditure of $35,000 for machinery in March, representing a significant cash outlay that reduces liquidity in that month.

The company pre-pays taxes, with a $75,000 prepayment made in April. Bond interest payments, as noted earlier, are scheduled at the end of each quarter; the first half of 2024’s interest payments will be made at the ends of March and June.

Calculating Cash Surplus and Shortages

The cash balance at the beginning of January is $100,000. The minimum monthly cash balance maintained throughout is $100,000. After estimating total inflows and outflows for each month, the net difference indicates whether a surplus or a shortage occurs. If the projected cash at month-end exceeds $100,000, the excess is a surplus; if below, it indicates a shortage that may require borrowing or other arrangements.

Methodology

The process involves constructing a month-by-month cash flow statement, starting with opening balances, adding inflows, subtracting outflows, and adjusting for investments or borrowings as necessary to maintain minimum balances. The calculations are iterative, considering the lagged collections from prior sales. Excel spreadsheets facilitate this process through formulas that link data across months, allowing for dynamic updates and precise computation.

Analysis and Interpretation

From the calculations, the monthly cash surplus can be utilized either to pay down existing debt, invest, or accumulate in reserve. Conversely, shortages might necessitate short-term borrowing, which incurs additional interest expenses. Managing these fluctuations proactively ensures continuous liquidity, maintaining operational stability while planning for future needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a detailed cash budget based on the given assumptions provides essential insight into the company's liquidity position from January through June. It helps identify potential cash shortages early, enabling strategic decision-making to optimize cash flow management. Conducting ongoing reviews and adjusting assumptions accordingly are crucial for sustaining financial health.

References

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