Working capital is a crucial business statistic. It shows how competently a company can pay off its present debts within a year. It is the sum of money a business has on hand to cover its operating expenses. 

The calculation of working capital needs two major factors. Those are current assets and current liabilities. So, it is crucial to grasp them before you go into more detail about working capital.

• Current assets: Any asset that the firm expects to use by the end of the year is referred to as a current asset. Cash, bank accounts, marketable securities, accounts receivable, inventories, and supplies are examples of current assets.
• Current liabilities: Current liabilities are liabilities that a company owns and are due to be paid by the end of the year. Rent, utilities, notes payable, accounts payable, etc., are examples of current liabilities.

What is working capital in accounting?

Working capital is cash that is currently on hand for your company to utilise for ongoing operations. Working capital is also an excellent sign of overall financial health. All of the following operations are included in it:

• Revenue collection- Your working capital reflects how much revenue your company brings in. Your working capital also reflects how successfully your revenue is being recognized as well as how it is being collected. Slow revenue collection can significantly impact cash flow, leaving less money available to meet current obligations.

• Inventory management- Inventory management may be a challenging task despite appearing straightforward. Ordering too much inventory could leave your company with a warehouse full of unsold goods. It can negatively affect your net profitability. When you order too little inventory, you may lose revenue. Clients may look elsewhere to buy the goods you don’t currently have in store.
• Accounts payable- Your accounts payable totals are a useful indication of your present cost of doing business. Maybe you’re working on financial projections for the next five years or entering numbers for next year’s budget.

How Is Working Capital Calculated?

The concept of working capital is clear. Now, you must know how to calculate working capital. Subtracting current liabilities from current assets is the formula for calculating working capital. A company’s balance sheet will have a line item for both current assets and current liabilities. Accounts receivable, marketable securities, cash, and other liquid assets are examples of current assets. Accounts payable, short-term debts, and income taxes are examples of current liabilities that must be paid off within a year.

How much working capital is required for your company to expand?

The standard working capital ratio is 1. That means for every Rs. 1 in current liabilities; you have Rs. 1 in current assets. A working capital ratio of 1.5 to 2 implies sound financial stability. And it typically shows that assets are being employed effectively. A working capital ratio below 1 shows possible liquidity problems. At the same time, a working capital ratio of 3 or more shows inefficient asset use.

There are three crucial variables such as business type, operating cycle, and management objectives. These three variables determine whether a specific company needs a large level of working capital.

• Business type- More working capital is needed for some business types than for others. For instance, companies with physical inventory frequently require large sums of working capital to operate efficiently. Retail and wholesale companies, as well as manufacturers, may fall under this category. Retailers and wholesalers must purchase pre-made inventory to sell to distributors or consumers. Manufacturers must continuously buy raw materials to make inventory internally.
• Operating cycle- More working capital is required by businesses that take a while to develop and sell a product. It is required to ensure that any commitments incurred in the meantime can be paid.
• Management objectives- Another crucial element that affects how much working capital a business needs is the unique objectives of the founders. A small business that wants to expand will need a larger level of operating capital.

Several lenders are there to help you run your company by providing small business loans. You can use the loan amount as working capital.