Bernhardt Appliances, Inc., located in central Ohio, is a small manufacturer of washing machines and dryers. Bernhardt sells most of its appliances to large, established discount retail companies that market the appliances under their own names. Bernhardt sells s the appliances on trade credit terms of n/60. If a customer wants a longer term, however, Bernhardt will accept a note with a term of up to nine months. At present, the company is having cash flow troubles and needs $10 million immediately. Its cash balance is $400, 000, its accounts receivable balance is $4.6 million, and its notes receivable balance is $7.4 million.
How might Bernhardt Appliance’s management use its accounts receivable and notes receivable to raise the cash it needs? What are the company’s prospects for raising the needed cash?