Days sales outstanding

(DSO). A credit measurement ratio calculated by dividing accounts receivable outstanding at the end of time period by the average daily credit sales for the period.

For example, if accounts receivable = EUR 50m; and Daily credit sales = EUR 2m

Then Days sales outstanding = EUR 50m/EUR 2m = 25 days.

Based on annual total sales - or total sales for any other period - the calculation is modified appropriately for the length of the time period in days (for example 365 days per year).

For example given annual credit sales = EUR 730m (and accounts receivable = EUR 50m as before): Days sales outstanding = EUR 50m/EUR 730m x 365 days

= 25 days (as before).

Also known as Days billing outstanding (DBO) or Days receivables outstanding (DRO).

See also

• Credit
• Debtor days
• Ratio analysis