Cash collection is a function of Accounts receivable. It is the recovery of cash from a business or individual with which you have issued an Invoice. Unpaid invoices are considered outstanding. Invoices are always issued with terms of payment. These terms vary widely from 'Cash terms', meaning that the invoice is due immediately, to many forms of 'Credit terms' (for example 30 days from date of invoice). Invoices which remain unpaid for periods longer than their 'terms' indicate are considered overdue.