Working Capital Management
Working capital management is an important financial management element of a business. It involves the management of current assets and liabilities such as cash, accounts receivable, inventory, and accounts payable. Working capital management is important as it allows a business to decide how much cash should be available, what level of inventory and accounts receivable it should maintain, and how much capital should be used for investments. It also helps to ensure that the business maintains a healthy level of liquidity to support the day-to-day operations of the business.
Cash management is one of the most important components of working capital management. The goal of cash management is to ensure that the business has enough cash to meet its short-term obligations and to prevent it from running out of money. Cash management involves setting up and monitoring cash flow forecasts, determining cash requirements, and managing the collection and disbursement of cash.
Inventory management is another key component of working capital management. This involves managing the amount of inventory that is held by the business so that it has enough to meet customer demand but not so much that it experiences unnecessary holding costs. Inventory management includes setting policies for purchasing, stock levels, and frequency of ordering.
Accounts receivable management is also an important part of working capital management. Accounts receivable management involves establishing rules and procedures around credit sales and payment terms, setting and monitoring credit limits, and using collection techniques to ensure that payments are received in a timely manner.
Accounts payable is the last area of working capital management. This involves establishing payment terms for the purchase of inventory and supplies, monitoring payment schedules to ensure that payments are made on time, and managing overdue accounts.
Working capital management is an essential aspect of a business and is important for ensuring the financial health of the company. It is important for managers to understand these components of working capital management and to ensure that each is properly managed in order to ensure the successful operation of the company.