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FAQ

  1. How the product works?
    By aggregating industry-wide aging data, The IAB Media Credit System assists CFOs, Controllers, and other credit and collections employees in the assessment of risk associated with selling advertising to agencies and direct advertiser accounts. This web-enabled software solution provides participating companies a system that:
    1. Enables credit information gathering, aggregation, and dissemination.
    2. Furnishes credit industry benchmarks for risk-management.
    3. Aids in the management of relationships with agencies and marketers.
  2. How do I submit data into the system?
    There are two ways for you to submit data to the system: automated or manual.
    1. The automatic process is very simple. Each month after closing your books, we ask you to run your standard aging report and email it to Jeremy Fain (jeremy@iab.net) along with your Total A/R and Total Revenue for the month. We use our tools to translate your data into our necessary formats.
    2. The manual process entails several steps:
      1. Download the Excel template and save it to your local hard drive. Template Download.
      2. Open the file and view more details about its structure on Sheet 2 and 3 (Instructions).
      3. Fill in the template with your aging data.
      4. Login to MCS at http://www.iab.net/industryproducts.
      5. Click on the Submit Aging Data link.
      6. Follow the instructions and have your Total A/R and Total Revenue numbers ready.
  3. How do I search for the current DSO and A/R averages for the industry?
    1. Click on Benchmark Reports
    2. Click on Current Reports. Here you can view current quarterly DSO, A/R, and Industry reports. Along with the current Industry DSO and A/R calculations.
  4. What is the DSO & how is it calculated?
    Definition: Days sales outstanding is an industry calculation of the average days of sales that are outstanding in the accounts receivable balance.

    The Calculation is:
    Current
    Industry DSO =
    Average Monthly A/R Balance for Time Period x Days in
    Time Period
    Total Industry Gross Revenue for Time Period

  5. What is the A/R Past-Due Average & how is it calculated?
    Definition: The total A/R balance greater than 90 days divided by the total Past Due A/R balance for the time period.

    The Calculation is:
    A/R Past-Due
    Averages =
    A/R over 90 days for Time Period x 100%
    Total Past Due A/R balance for Time Period

  6. What is the A/R Outstanding Average & how is it calculated?
    Definition: The total A/R balance greater than 90 days divided by the total Outstanding A/R (including Current A/R) balance for the time period.

    The Calculation is:
    A/R Outstandinge
    Averages =
    A/R over 90 days for Time Period x 100%
    Total A/R balance for Time Period

  7. How do I search for the aging data of a specific agency or advertiser?
    1. Click Search
    2. Enter the name of the company in the company name box. If you know the company's DUNS number you may enter that as well. Remember to include the year you’re requesting aging data for.

  8. How do I search for Industry-wide aging data for a specific time period?
    1. Click Financial Benchmark Reports
    2. Highlight a quarter and year in the drop down menus.

  9. What data is included in this system?
    The MCS requires publisher participation. Specifically, the system is contingent on publishers' submission of aging reports. MCS combines accurate and appropriate data from participating publishers using a series of procedures to ensure quality assurance and authenticated data in a confidential and secure environment. By aggregating the information quarterly, the system provides industry-benchmarking statistics, including: Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), over 90-day A/R reports and an Agency and Advertiser Hot List. No publisher-specific data is ever viewable.
  10. Where do I find a list of companies currently participating in MCS?
    HERE

  11. Definitions
    1. Aging Dates - Aging dates for this System begins with the invoice dates.
    2. Accounts – Accounts include all advertisers and agencies.
    3. Hot List – The Hot List shows the Top 100 agencies and advertisers that have had invoice delinquencies of 90 days or more. Information is available by month for years 2003-2005.
    4. DSO – Days Sales Outstanding
    5. A/R – Accounts Receivable

  12. Need More Help
    Contact us at industryproducts@iab.net or call Jeremy Fain at 212-380-4724.