Accounts Payable & Receivable › Aging Analysis

How does disputed AR distort aging and what should you do about it?

Intermediate

Answer

Disputed invoices sit in the aging as overdue even though the customer is withholding payment pending resolution, overstating collectible overdue balances and understating collection performance. Flagging disputes separately (a dispute/deduction status) gives a truer view and directs effort to resolving the dispute so the cash can flow.
Real-world example Tagging $40k of disputed invoices separately reveals that 'true' overdue AR is far lower, refocusing the team on dispute resolution.

Common follow-ups: Why separate disputes in aging? | Who resolves a disputed invoice?