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basic-working-capital-financing-terms-explained
May 19, 2023
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9
min read
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Written by: 
Nikolaus Hilgenfeldt
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Category:
Finance

10 Working Capital Terms You Need to Know in 2023

Running a successful business depends on how well you handle your working capital.

Understanding the different definitions of "working capital" is essential for comprehending the complexities of business finance.

From explaining what "working capital is" and how important it is to talk about "current assets," "current liabilities," "net working capital," and more, we will give you the tools you need to improve your company's finances.

By the end of this article, you'll have a clear idea of the working capital terms importance for your business's financial health and growth.

Let’s begin!

10 Working Capital Terms You Need to Know in 2023

1. Working Capital

"Working capital" describes the financial gap between a business's current assets and liabilities.

This refers to the funds that are accessible for regular business operations, fulfilling immediate obligations, and investing in potential new projects for the future.

When a company has positive working capital, it means it has enough resources to fulfill its short-term responsibilities, which others view positively.

It aids in the smooth operation of the business, the pursuit of growth opportunities, and the weathering of financial storms.

However, if a company has negative working capital, its liabilities outweigh its assets. It is important to act promptly in resolving this matter to avoid cash flow issues and potential financial difficulties.

Financial stability and the company's future success depend on the owner's and management's familiarity with, and careful attention to, working capital.

2. Current Assets

Current assets are assets that a business can convert into cash or utilize within a year or the typical operating cycle.

current-assets

These resources are indispensable for maintaining normal operations and meeting immediate commitments. Current assets include things like:

Cash and Cash Equivalents — Include physical currency, cash on hand, and funds in bank accounts that can be used immediately.

Accounts Receivable — Customer debt for credit-purchased goods and services. It guarantees future payment.

Inventory — A company's inventory or production materials. It includes raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods.

Short-term Investments — Investments that are easily convertible to cash within a year, such as marketable securities, Treasury bills, or certificates of deposit.

Prepaid Expenses — Payments made in advance for goods or services that will be consumed or utilized within the next year, such as prepaid insurance premiums or prepaid rent.

Marketable Securities — Investments in securities, such as stocks or bonds, that can be readily bought or sold in the financial markets.

Notes Receivable — Customers or other groups promise in writing to pay the company a certain amount on a certain date in the future.

3. Current Liabilities

When talking about a company's financial situation, "current liabilities" refer to debts and obligations due to be paid off within a year or the business cycle, whichever comes first.

These commitments are inherent to running a business and require the utilization of liquid assets or the genesis of new cash.

Current liabilities include obligations such as:

Accounts Payable — A company's debt to its suppliers or vendors for goods or services it got on credit.

Short-term LoansLoans from banks or other financial institutions that have to be paid back within a year.

Accrued Expenses — Expenses that have already been incurred but haven't been paid yet, like salaries due, utility bills due, or interest due.

Income Taxes Payable — Taxes that the company owes to the government based on its taxable income.

Notes Payable — A written agreement that says the company will pay back a certain amount to lenders on a certain date..

Current Portion of Long-term Debt — The part of long-term debt that must be paid back in the next year.

Unearned Revenue — Payments made by customers in advance for goods or services that haven't been sent or done yet.

4. Net Working Capital

Net working capital is a financial metric that assesses a company's short-term financial health and liquidity

It is determined by deducting a company's current liabilities from its current assets.

net-working-capital-formula-graphic-visual

Positive net working capital indicates that a company has sufficient resources to cover its short-term debts and maintain a healthy financial position. 

Negative net working capital indicates potential liquidity challenges and difficulties in meeting short-term obligations. 

The ideal net working capital level varies by industry and business circumstances. 

However, regularly monitoring net working capital can help businesses:

👍 Evaluate their short-term liquidity.

👍 Identify any potential funding gaps.

👍 Make informed decisions about managing their working capital.

5. Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC)

The cash conversion cycle (CCC) is a financial metric used to assess the efficiency of a company's working capital management and its ability to convert resources into cash flow

A shorter CCC is preferred as it indicates that a company can quickly convert its investments into cash, allowing for more efficient use of working capital and improving overall profitability.

The cash conversion cycle is calculated using the following formula:

Cash Conversion Cycle = Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO) + Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) - Days Payable Outstanding (DPO)
cash-converions-cycle-formula

Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO) — This factor calculates the typical time it takes for a business to sell its inventory.

It is determined by:

DIO = (Average Inventory / Cost of Goods Sold) x Number of Days

Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) — The average number of days it takes for a business to get payment from customers after a sale.

It is determined by:

DSO = (Accounts Receivable / Net Sales) x Number of Days

Days Payable Outstanding (DPO) — This factor gauges how long it typically takes a business to pay its suppliers after receiving goods or services. 

It is determined by:

DPO = (Accounts Payable / Cost of Goods Sold) x Number of Days

A shorter cycle suggests a company can convert its investments quickly, while a longer cycle may indicate potential inefficiencies in inventory management, accounts receivable collection, or payment to suppliers

Analyzing and optimizing the cash conversion cycle can help businesses:

👍 Identify areas for improvement.

👍 Streamline operations.

👍 Enhance their working capital management.

6. Inventory Turnover

A financial metric called inventory turnover, also known as inventory turnover ratio or stock turnover, assesses how effectively a company manages its inventory

It measures how quickly a business sells its stock and replenishes it over a predetermined time frame. 

The inventory turnover ratio aids in determining the efficiency of inventory control and the product liquidity of the business.

The inventory turnover ratio formula goes as follows:

Inventory Turnover Ratio = Cost of Goods Sold / Average Inventory

And, to calculate the average inventory, you can add the beginning and ending inventory values and divide them by 2:

Average Inventory = (Beginning Inventory + Ending Inventory) / 2

formula-choices

A higher inventory turnover ratio indicates more efficient inventory management, as it reduces the risk of inventory obsolescence, minimizes holding costs, and improves cash flow. 

Conversely, a lower inventory turnover ratio suggests slower sales relative to the inventory value, which can lead to excess or outdated stock and tie up working capital. 

Analyzing the inventory turnover ratio can help a company to make informed decisions about:

👍 Inventory management.

👍 Production planning.

👍 Pricing strategies.

👍 Identify areas for improvement (reducing excess inventory, improving sales and demand forecasting, and optimizing supply chain processes).

7. Cash Flow Forecasting

Cash flow forecasting is a financial management tool that helps businesses anticipate and plan for their cash needs

It involves analyzing historical cash flows, current financial data, and future expectations to project the timing and amounts of cash inflows and outflows.

cash-flow-forecasting-example

The process of cash flow forecasting typically includes the following steps:

Identify Cash Inflows — Estimate sales revenue, accounts receivable collections, loans, investments, and other cash inflows.

Forecast Cash Outflows — This step predicts cash outflows, including salaries, rent, utilities, inventory purchases, loan repayments, taxes, and other operating expenses..

Consider Timing — Cash flow forecasting also considers timing. Revenue and expenses may be delayed or received after a sale.

Incorporate Non-Operating Items — Capital expenditures, financing (e.g., issuing debt or equity), and investment activities may also be included in cash flow forecasting (e.g., acquiring or selling assets).

Project Cash Flow Statements — Using estimated cash inflows and outflows, a cash flow statement projects the cash position over a given period (e.g., monthly, quarterly, or annually).

Monitor and Update — Cash flow forecasts must be monitored and updated to reflect actual cash flows and business and financial conditions.

Cash flow forecasting is important for businesses with seasonality, high growth, or volatile cash flows, startups, small businesses, and businesses undergoing significant changes

It helps them:

👍 Maintain financial control

👍 Reduce risk

👍 Make strategic decisions with a clearer understanding of their cash position and requirements.

8. Liquidity

Liquidity is the degree to which an asset, investment, or financial instrument can be easily bought or sold in the market without causing significant price fluctuations

It measures the ability to convert an asset into cash quickly and with minimal loss in value. 

High liquidity implies that an asset or investment can be sold quickly at or near its current market value without causing significant disruptions. 

In contrast, low liquidity indicates that an asset may take longer to sell or require selling at a discounted price, resulting in potential losses.

Liquidity is crucial for various reasons:

Meeting Short-term Obligations — Liquidity allows individuals and businesses to cover daily expenses, pay bills, and meet short-term financial obligations.

Financial Stability — Liquidity buffers unexpected expenses, emergencies, and cash flow disruptions, ensuring financial stability and resilience.

Investment Opportunities — Liquidity allows individuals and businesses to invest quickly in assets, stocks, or time-sensitive ventures.

Confidence and Creditworthiness — Liquidity boosts stakeholder, creditor, and lender confidence. It improves loan and credit terms.

Market Functioning — Liquidity allows investors to buy and sell securities without significant price volatility, ensuring fair pricing and market efficiency.

Liquidity is measured using cash reserves, current assets, trading volume, bid-ask spreads, and turnover ratios. 

It is vital to balance liquidity with other financial goals to maximize returns and manage risks.

9. Solvency

Solvency refers to the capability of an individual, company, or organization to fulfill its long-term financial commitments and sustain its operations.

It assesses whether an entity has sufficient assets and cash flow to cover its debts and liabilities. 

It is an important part of financial analysis and decision-making for lenders, investors, and stakeholders.

When assessing solvency, an array of financial ratios and indicators are taken into account. These include:

Debt-to-Equity Ratio — This ratio shows a company's debt-to-equity ratio. Lower ratios indicate higher solvency.

Interest Coverage Ratio — This ratio shows a company's ability to cover its interest expenses with its EBIT (EBIT). A higher ratio means the company has enough earnings to pay interest..

Debt Service Coverage Ratio — This ratio compares operating income to debt service obligations to evaluate a company's debt capacity. High ratios indicate strong solvency.

Current Ratio — Comparing a company's current assets to current liabilities determines short-term solvency. A company with short-term assets greater than 1 can meet its obligations.

Cash Flow Adequacy — Solvency depends on the company's cash flow and ability to generate positive cash flow over time. Positive cash flow provides liquidity for obligations.

10. Financing Options

Businesses have several options to fund their working capital needs, such as short-term loans, lines of credit, trade credit, and factoring. 

These funding options can help cover operational expenses like payroll, inventory, and other costs while managing cash flow. 

Businesses must assess their requirements thoroughly and choose the appropriate funding option that aligns with their goals. 

Furthermore, it is advisable to work with trustworthy lenders or vendors and be aware of the terms and conditions of each funding option to receive fair and competitive rates.

Here are several terms to understand when considering financing option for your business:

1. Personal Guarantees

Bank loans, finetrading, and lines of credit require merchants to make a personal guarantee, or liability, for the debt. 

This means the individual is making a promise to repay the debt if their business fails. 

By minimizing the risk faced by lenders, it guarantees that they will receive payment even if the customer's business fails.

2. Collateral

Lenders may require business owners to put up collateral to receive funding. 

Collateral is an asset used to secure financing, such as real estate, inventory, or equipment. 

Secured debt can lower the risk of a deal and offer lower interest rates, which can benefit the borrower both personally and financially.

3. Interest

Interest refers to the amount of money charged for borrowing capital as a convenience.

It is often denoted as a percentage rate, so the total interest a borrower pays will correlate to the amount of financing they secure. 

And, even though interest payments are already part of the lender's repayment schedule, they are still crucial factors for business owners to take into account. 

Let's say a business borrows $20,000 with a 6% annual interest rate. In this case, the interest payment will be $1,200 per year. 

However, if the business can secure a loan with a 4% interest rate, the interest payment will be reduced to $800 per year.

4. Fee Models

Fee models are common when shopping for working capital financing. 

They include one-off charges like application or origination fees, as well as recurring fees like annual or maintenance fees

Fees may be charged as a fixed price or based on a percentage of the financing secured, and businesses need to consider which one is applicable in their case. 

The percentage of interest charged may vary depending on the pricing model the lender uses.

Secure Low-Risk Asset-Based Financing with Myos

Financing working capital is essential for any business, including ecommerce businesses. 

However, some e-commerce businesses may need more collateral or cash flow history to qualify for a loan.

Asset-based financing is a solution for merchants to secure financing and act on growth opportunities without all the complications of working with traditional lenders. 

Many online sellers prefer asset-based financing due to:

  • Flexible repayment options
  • Lenient documentation
  • No business history requirements
  • Full control of their ecommerce store

By partnering with an asset-based finance provider such as Myos, online sellers can limit their risk exposure and avoid needing personal guarantees or collateral.

Who is Eligible to Apply for Myos Funding?

✅ You're a business with a base in one of these four countries: Germany, Austria, Cyprus, or the United Kingdom (UK)

✅ At this point, your business has been operational for at least half a year

✅ At the very least, your business has 50 days of product sales history.

Why to Consider Applying?

👍 Working capital loans from £100,000 to £2,500,000 have monthly interest rates based on the amount borrowed. 

👍 We fund 2-month-old businesses. 

👍 No minimum monthly turnover. 

👍 The funding period is limited to a maximum of 24 months.

👍 Our online application process is simple, and funding can be received within 72 hours.

👍 There are no personal guarantees or hidden fees.

👍 Free funding eligibility quota. 

👍 Excellent Trustpilot rating.

Get your non-binding offer from Myos to start growing your ecommerce business today..

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