Factors Affecting Working Capital

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INTROUCTION Working capital is a financial metric which represents operating liquidity available to a business, organization or other entity, including governmental entity. Along with fixed assets such as plant and equipment, working capital is considered a part of operating capital. Gross working capital equals to current assets. Working capital is calculated as current assets minus current liabilities. If current assets are less than current liabilities, an entity has a working capital deficiency, also called a working capital deficit. A company can be endowed with assets and profitability but short of liquidity if its assets cannot readily be converted into cash. Positive working capital is required to ensure that a firm is able to continue…show more content…
It is the timing of cash flows which can be vital to the success, or otherwise, of the business. Just because a business is making a profit does not necessarily mean that there is cash coming into and out of the business. Factors affecting the level of working capital It is important to remember that different industries have different working capital profiles, reflecting their methods of doing business and what they are selling. For example: • Businesses with a lot of cash sales and few credit sales should have minimal trade debtors. Supermarkets are good examples of this • Businesses that exist to trade in completed products will only have finished goods in stock. Compare this with manufacturers who will also have to maintain stocks of raw materials and work-in-progress. • Some finished goods, notably foodstuffs, have to be sold within a limited period because of their perishable nature. • Larger businesses may be able to use their bargaining strength as customers to obtain more favourable, extended credit terms from suppliers. By contrast, smaller companies, particularly those that have recently started trading (and do not have a track record of credit worthiness) may be required to pay their suppliers…show more content…
Identify the cash balance which allows for the business to meet day to day expenses, but reduces cash holding costs. • Inventory management. Identify the level of inventory which allows for uninterrupted production but reduces the investment in raw materials—and minimizes reordering costs—and hence increases cash flow. Besides this, the lead times in production should be lowered to reduce Work in Process (WIP) and similarly, the Finished Goods should be kept on as low level as possible to avoid over production—see Supply chain management; just In Time (JIT) • Debtors management. Identify the appropriate credit policy, i.e. credit terms which will attract customers, such that any impact on cash flows and the cash conversion cycle will be offset by increased revenue and hence Return on Capital (or vice versa); see Discounts and allowances. • Short-term financing. Identify the appropriate source of financing, given the cash conversion cycle: the inventory is ideally financed by credit granted by the supplier; however, it may be necessary to utilize a bank loan (or overdraft), or to "convert debtors to cash" through

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