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Payables Turnover Ratio

Understanding the Payables Turnover Ratio: Measuring Efficiency in Managing Supplier Payments

The Payables Turnover Ratio is a financial metric that measures how efficiently a company manages its accounts payable by determining how many times it pays off its suppliers within a specific period. This ratio helps assess the company's short-term liquidity and creditworthiness.

Payables Turnover Ratio= Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) / Average Accounts Payable


Suppose Company YZA has the following financial details:


  • Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): $800,000

  • Beginning Accounts Payable: $100,000

  • Ending Accounts Payable: $150,000


To calculate the Payables Turnover Ratio:


  1. Calculate the average accounts payable: (100,000+150,000)/2=125,000

  2. Divide COGS by average accounts payable: 800,000/125,000=6.4

A Payables Turnover Ratio of 6.4 indicates that Company YZA pays off its accounts payable approximately 6.4 times a year. This suggests effective management of supplier payments.

Efficiency Ratio

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