1、 International Telecommunication Union ITU-T D.195TELECOMMUNICATION STANDARDIZATION SECTOR OF ITU Supplement 1(05/2013) SERIES D: GENERAL TARIFF PRINCIPLES General tariff principles Service and privilege telecommunications Time-scale for settlement of accounts for international telecommunication ser
2、vices Credit management guidelines Recommendation ITU-T D.195 Supplement 1 ITU-T D-SERIES RECOMMENDATIONS GENERAL TARIFF PRINCIPLES TERMS AND DEFINITIONS D.0 GENERAL TARIFF PRINCIPLES Private leased telecommunication facilities D.1D.9 Tariff principles applying to data communication services over de
3、dicated public data networks D.10D.39 Charging and accounting in the international public telegram service D.40D.44 Charging and accounting in the international telemessage service D.45D.49 Principles applicable to GII-Internet D.50D.59 Charging and accounting in the international telex service D.60
4、D.69 Charging and accounting in the international facsimile service D.70D.75 Charging and accounting in the international videotex service D.76D.79 Charging and accounting in the international phototelegraph service D.80D.89 Charging and accounting in the mobile services D.90D.99 Charging and accoun
5、ting in the international telephone service D.100D.159 Drawing up and exchange of international telephone and telex accounts D.160D.179 International sound- and television-programme transmissions D.180D.184 Charging and accounting for international satellite services D.185D.189 Transmission of month
6、ly international accounting information D.190D.191 Service and privilege telecommunications D.192D.195Settlement of international telecommunication balances of accounts D.196D.209 Charging and accounting principles for international telecommunication services provided over the ISDN D.210D.269 Chargi
7、ng and accounting principles for next generation networks (NGN) D.270D.279 Charging and accounting principles for universal personal telecommunication D.280D.284 Charging and accounting principles for intelligent network supported services D.285D.299 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REGIONAL APPLICATION Recommen
8、dations applicable in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin D.300D.399 Recommendations applicable in Latin America D.400D.499 Recommendations applicable in Asia and Oceania D.500D.599 Recommendations applicable to the African Region D.600D.699 For further details, please refer to the list of ITU-T Reco
9、mmendations. Rec. ITU-T D.195/Suppl.1 (05/2013) i Recommendation ITU-T D.195 Time-scale for settlement of accounts for international telecommunication services Supplement 1 Credit management guidelines Summary Supplement 1 to Recommendation ITU-T D.195 is intended to help interested telecommunicatio
10、n operators to develop credit management guidelines to promote efficiency in managing accounts receivable and internal information sharing on companies that pose credit risks. The objective of these voluntary guidelines is to help operators to formulate new (or update existing) credit management gui
11、delines according to their own needs and in line with the latest credit management policies. History Edition Recommendation Approval Study Group 1.0 ITU-T D.195 2003-11-21 3 2.0 ITU-T D.195 2006-06-27 3 3.0 ITU-T D.195 2008-04-04 3 4.0 ITU-T D.195 2011-04-01 3 5.0 ITU-T D.195 2012-11-20 3 5.1 ITU-T
12、D.195 Suppl. 1 2013-05-31 3 5.2 ITU-T D.195 Suppl. 2 2013-05-31 3 5.3 ITU-T D.195 Suppl. 3 2013-05-31 3 ii Rec. ITU-T D.195/Suppl.1 (05/2013) FOREWORD The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency in the field of telecommunications, information and communic
13、ation technologies (ICTs). The ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) is a permanent organ of ITU. ITU-T is responsible for studying technical, operating and tariff questions and issuing Recommendations on them with a view to standardizing telecommunications on a worldwide basis. The W
14、orld Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), which meets every four years, establishes the topics for study by the ITU-T study groups which, in turn, produce Recommendations on these topics. The approval of ITU-T Recommendations is covered by the procedure laid down in WTSA Resolution 1.
15、In some areas of information technology which fall within ITU-Ts purview, the necessary standards are prepared on a collaborative basis with ISO and IEC. NOTE In this publication, the expression “Administration“ is used for conciseness to indicate both a telecommunication administration and a recogn
16、ized operating agency. Compliance with this publication is voluntary. However, the publication may contain certain mandatory provisions (to ensure, e.g., interoperability or applicability) and compliance with the publication is achieved when all of these mandatory provisions are met. The words “shal
17、l“ or some other obligatory language such as “must“ and the negative equivalents are used to express requirements. The use of such words does not suggest that compliance with the publication is required of any party. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ITU draws attention to the possibility that the practi
18、ce or implementation of this publication may involve the use of a claimed Intellectual Property Right. ITU takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of claimed Intellectual Property Rights, whether asserted by ITU members or others outside of the publication development pr
19、ocess. As of the date of approval of this publication, ITU had not received notice of intellectual property, protected by patents, which may be required to implement this publication. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information and are therefore strongly ur
20、ged to consult the TSB patent database at http:/www.itu.int/ITU-T/ipr/. ITU 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the prior written permission of ITU. Rec. ITU-T D.195/Suppl.1 (05/2013) iii Table of Contents Page 1 Introduction 1 1.
21、1 Objective and scope 1 1.2 Benefits of standardizing credit management guidelines . 1 1.3 What is credit management? 1 1.4 Key factors driving credit management . 1 1.5 Key objectives of credit management 1 1.6 Credit management principles 2 1.7 Core activities and key responsibilities 2 1.8 Depart
22、ment/division goals 3 1.9 Measurable goals 3 2 Credit management guidelines . 3 2.1 Credit policy . 3 2.2 Credit and collection policy checklist 3 2.3 Pre-sales credit check/assessment 4 2.4 Scope of credit assessment . 4 2.5 Credit assessment rules . 4 2.6 Credit limits 6 2.7 Considerations on the
23、setting of credit limits . 6 2.8 Credit limit setting (bilateral carriers versus hubbing carriers) 7 2.9 Two approaches for a supplier company to set its credit limit . 7 2.10 Contents of the master agreement 7 2.11 Monitoring of credit limit . 8 2.12 Credit risk reduction techniques . 8 2.13 Best p
24、ractices for accounts receivable (AR), credit and collections management 9 2.14 Best practices in credit risk management (specifics) . 9 2.15 Best practices in debt collection (specifics) . 9 2.16 Other considerations . 11 2.17 A quick-step guide on credit management . 11 Rec. ITU-T D.195/Suppl.1 (0
25、5/2013) 1 Recommendation ITU-T D.195 Time-scale for settlement of accounts for international telecommunication services Supplement 1 Credit management guidelines 1 Introduction 1.1 Objective and scope The objective of this supplement is to assist telecommunication operators in establishing credit ma
26、nagement guidelines. These guidelines are voluntary. 1.2 Benefits of standardizing credit management guidelines The benefits that the guidelines are envisioned to bring to telecommunication operators are: helping the telecommunication operators to formulate a set of guidelines (if none is yet in pla
27、ce) according to their needs, or to review and update their existing policy according to the latest credit-management policies; ensuring the efficient management of accounts receivable (AR); promoting internal information sharing on credit-risk companies. 1.3 What is credit management? Credit manage
28、ment encompasses the activities undertaken by a supplier (in this case the telecommunication operator) when seeking payment for services provided to a customer, including the restricting, suspending or disconnecting of access to the service and debt collection activities after the service has been d
29、isconnected. Credit management explores the importance of collecting money owed to ones business without allowing accounts to become overdue. It includes the communication of credit policies, credit checks and approvals, and credit maintenance. 1.4 Key factors driving credit management Accounts rece
30、ivable (AR) are among the largest and most liquid assets on the books of most companies. A properly managed AR portfolio helps to expedite cash flow, supports corporate cash requirements and expands working capital. AR plays a vital role in the overall health of a company. 1.5 Key objectives of cred
31、it management The key objectives of credit management are, but are not limited to, the following: To speed up cash inflow or convert accounts receivable to cash in a timely manner To maximize sales and profits To monitor, protect and manage the companys investment in accounts receivable To communica
32、te to management the condition, status and trend of the companys investment in receivables To reduce financial exposure To minimize bad debt losses. 2 Rec. ITU-T D.195/Suppl.1 (05/2013) 1.6 Credit management principles Credit management principles revolve around four (4) fields: a) Estimation All av
33、ailable sources of credit information must be tapped and utilized so that a proper estimation of the credit risk can be obtained. For business concerns, the granting of credit should be based on the net worth and condition of the business as well as its reputation for paying bills. For individuals w
34、ho buy for consumption, the granting of credit should be based on their character and ability to pay. In some cases, the potential reward and strategic importance of the customer and service concerned may be relevant. All credit information gathered and received must be kept in strict confidence. b)
35、 Enforcement Granting of credit is but one phase of credit function; collection is another. Collection of accounts should start immediately after an invoice is issued to ensure that the customer has no queries in relation to the invoice and can confirm that it will be paid when it falls due, i.e., p
36、rior to when the invoice actually becomes due. Collection activity will also promptly identify any invoice disputes to ensure that they are validated efficiently and that any credits are raised as soon as practicable. The task and responsibility of every collection department is to collect payment o
37、f money due to the company. Collection records must be kept and maintained and should indicate the dates on which notices are sent, calls are made by collectors, payment is made, balance is due and action, if any, is taken. c) Evaluation Sound credit management principles dictate that results must b
38、e evaluated against company policies and procedures. Records must be periodically reviewed and kept up to date. d) Control and protection Correct legal protection must be stated within any contractual documentation to ensure enforcement of appropriate controls on the customer in the case of breach o
39、f contract. Proper management of customer master data must be set up to identify which legal entity is liable for the ongoing debt and to ensure that the contractual documentation consistently reflects that entity. 1.7 Core activities and key responsibilities To perform an ongoing review of contract
40、ual documentation to mitigate potential risk. To ensure the accuracy of customer master data throughout all company systems and contract paperwork. To review any requests for special terms, e.g., extended payment terms. To review credit policy in the light of the macro-economic climate, including th
41、e setting of parameters for bad debt provision. To process, maintain and enforce security documentation. To analyse and evaluate the creditworthiness of current and prospective customers. To develop, review and update credit and collection policies. To design and develop a general course of action f
42、or recurring situations to achieve established objectives. Rec. ITU-T D.195/Suppl.1 (05/2013) 3 To formulate a general statement that serves as a guide for the credit managers decision making. To maintain and build up a credit track record for each customer. To provide management reports (for top ma
43、nagement and internal customers within sales, billing and settlements, accounting, operations, etc.). To manage external credit information sources or credit reporting agency services. To establish a system of billing and collections management (that may be handled by separate or distinct units). 1.
44、8 Department/division goals To meet legal requirements To meet management requirements To meet sales requirements To meet accounting requirements To meet operations requirements To provide advice to the company on potential macro risks (e.g., concerning new and existing products, the economic enviro
45、nment of operating countries, etc.). 1.9 Measurable goals Accounts receivable or day sales outstanding (DSO) Collection performance over generated revenues Bad debts Bad debt write-offs Delinquency percentages over the total Time period for contacting former due customers Billing accuracy 2 Credit m
46、anagement guidelines 2.1 Credit policy A credit policy is a set of processes and procedures encompassing all the credit functions and activities of a business organization. 2.2 Credit and collection policy checklist A well-defined and complete credit policy may include: Credit policies The procedure
47、s for conducting a credit check and the evaluation of existing and new customers The establishment of credit lines, limits or standards The establishment of credit terms or terms of sale (e.g., credit period, maximum exposure, discount policy, special terms, late payment, etc.) A checklist of requir
48、ed documents in the credit evaluation process The methods of gathering credit information (internal and external sources) The time limits or turnaround time for making a credit decision/recommendation 4 Rec. ITU-T D.195/Suppl.1 (05/2013) The procedure for communicating a decision/recommendation to m
49、anagement Credit approvals Credit documentation required for credit file database maintenance. Collection policies Collection policies for handling past due accounts Collection policies for disputed amounts Collection policies for delinquent accounts Collection policies for handling high risk, problematic or marginal accounts Contingency plans for handling special case accounts (customers in financial difficulty, bankruptcy
