Which of the following is a consequence of slow collections for a business?

Slow collections lead to delayed access to cash from sales, which directly impacts a business's cash flow. When a company sells its products or services on credit, it expects to receive payment within a certain timeframe. If customers take longer than expected to pay their invoices, the business will have less cash available for operations, making it difficult to meet immediate financial obligations such as payroll, rent, and suppliers. A consistent pattern of slow collections can create a cash crunch, potentially hindering growth opportunities and creating liabilities.

In essence, cash flow is crucial for maintaining the day-to-day operations of a business, and slow collections inevitably hurt the business's ability to manage its cash effectively. This scenario can lead to further challenges, such as increased borrowing or less ability to invest in new projects, thereby compounding the negative effects associated with slow collections.