Working Capital
Working capital refers to the amount of money a company has available to cover its day-to-day operations, including its expenses and short-term debts. In other words, it is the difference between a company’s current assets and its current liabilities. Current assets include cash, inventory, and accounts receivable, while current liabilities include accounts payable, short-term loans, and other debts due within one year.
Benefits of working capital:
Ensures smooth operations: Working capital ensures that a company has enough funds to cover its daily operations, such as paying bills and salaries, purchasing inventory, and investing in marketing campaigns.
Facilitates growth: With adequate working capital, a company can invest in new equipment, hire additional staff, expand its operations, or launch new products or services.
Improves creditworthiness: Maintaining adequate working capital helps a company demonstrate its financial stability and reliability, which can improve its creditworthiness and increase its access to financing.
Features of working capital:
Short-term focus: Working capital focuses on a company’s short-term financial health and ability to meet its immediate obligations.
Dynamic nature: Working capital levels can fluctuate depending on a variety of factors, such as changes in sales volume, inventory levels, and accounts receivable and payable.
Management: Effective management of working capital is critical for business success. This includes monitoring cash flow, optimizing inventory levels, and managing accounts receivable and payable.