Working capital is defined as ‘the excess of current assets over current liabilities’. All elements of working capital are quick moving in nature and therefore, require constant monitoring for proper management. 

Working capital management is significant in Financial Management due to the fact that it plays a pivotal role in keeping the wheels of a business enterprise running. Working capital management is concerned with short-term financial decisions. 

Importance of Effective Working Capital Management

Although the importance of working capital is unquestionable in any type of business. Working capital management is a day to day activity, unlike capital budgeting decisions. Most importantly, inefficiencies at any levels of management have an impact on the working capital and its management. Following are the main points that signify why it is important to take the management of working capital seriously.

Objectives of Working Capital Management

The primary objectives of working capital management include the following:

1. Smooth Operating Cycle

 The key objective of working capital management is to ensure a smooth operating cycle. It means the cycle should never stop for the lack of liquidity whether it is for buying raw material, salaries, tax payments etc.

2. Lowest Working Capital

For achieving the smooth operating cycle, it is also important to keep the requirement of working capital at the lowest. This may be achieved by favorable credit terms with accounts payable and receivables both, faster production cycle, effective inventory management etc.

3. Minimize Rate of Interest or Cost of Capital

It is important to understand that the interest cost of capital is one of the major costs in any firm. The management of the firm should negotiate well with the financial institutions, select the right mode of finance, maintain optimal capital structure etc.

4. Optimal Return on Current Asset Investment

In many businesses, you have a liquidity crunch at one point of time and excess liquidity at another. This happens mostly with seasonal industries. At the time of excess liquidity, the management should have good short-term investment avenues to take benefit of the idle funds.

Factors Determining Working Capital

The working capital requirements of an enterprise depend on a variety of factors. These factors affect different enterprises differently and vary from time to time.

These factors are:

1. Nature of Business

2. Size of Business

3. Manufacturing Cycle

4. Business Cycle

5. Firm’s Credit Policy

6. Operating Efficiency of the Firm

7. Profit Margin and Dividend Policy

8. Expansion and Growth of Business

9. Suppliers’ Credit

10. Loans and Credit Facilities Available

11. Taxation Policy

12. Level of Automation

Advantages of Working Capital Management

Disadvantages of Working Capital Management

Types of Working Capital

In order to finance the working capital in an efficient manner, it is important to understand the difference between the two types of working capital:

1. Permanent Working Capital, and

2. Temporary Working Capital

1. Permanent Working Capital:

This is also called fixed working capital. A part of the investment in current assets is as permanent as the investment in fixed assets. It covers the minimum amount necessary for maintaining the circulation of the current assets in order to carry out the minimum level of business activities. It is that part of working capital that is permanently locked up in the circulation of the current assets. Tandon Committee had referred to this type of working capital as “Core current assets”.

2. Temporary Working Capital:

This is also called variable working capital. A business does not need the same level of current assets throughout the year. For example, during a slack time, a manufacturing firm does not need to invest too much into raw materials, work-in-process, or finished goods inventory because of the decrease in sales.

Where to get Working Capital Loan

Omozing.com

Omozing helps make Smart Money Moves for a Lifetime. They strive to get lowest interest rates and best terms for your Online Applications at www.Omozing.com . We’ve made business lending smarter, faster and easier by transforming the approval process from stumbling blocks to stepping-stones. This enables borrowers to not just get access to capital, but also understand what areas they need to work on in order to enhance their credit profile. Omozing ensures that Borrowers get a secure, safe and reliable application process that be tracked online.

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