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Published on:

July 9, 2024

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‍Exploring the Different Types of Working Capital

The sophisticated finance world finds working capital a basic and essential business concept. It is greatly involved in the life or death of a company, as cash flow is necessary to maintain a business and carry out its regular operations. Indeed, when it comes to the "lifeblood" of a company, it is working capital that keeps it going, and the opposite of it (a lack of working capital) causes companies to fail.

In the following, we look at working capital management in some measure of depth and go into various forms of working capital. We also consider the Indian context, as working capital is frequently misunderstood in India, despite its being quite fundamental to the operational cycle and, hence, the operating success of a company.

What is Working Capital?

The capital invested in the everyday doings of a business is known as "working capital." It is the disparity between a company's current assets—like cash, accounts receivable, and units or materials that are not quite finished—and its current debts—what the company still owes to its creditors for goods or services already received. Monetary value is what the working capital statement portrays. Work capital does not tell the story of what is working well and what is causing trouble.

Formula for working capital

Working Capital = Current Assets - Current Liabilities

The day-to-day operations of a business are funded by working capital. Working capital is derived by deducting the current liabilities from the current assets.

Current Liabilities are the obligations that are due within a year; like accounts payable, short-term debt, accrued liabilities, and deferred revenue.

Current Assets on the other hand are assets that can be converted to cash within a year; like cash, accounts receivable, inventory, and prepaid expenses.

Working capital is a crucial part of a business's survival, and not having enough of it is one of the common reasons businesses fail. Even more important, it has a direct and significant effect on the business. Current assets are accounts that could be easily turned into cash within a year, like accounts receivable

For example

A company holds total current assets worth Rs. 50,000 which includes Rs. 10,000 in cash, Rs. 15,000 in accounts receivable, Rs. 20,000 in inventory, and Rs. 5,000 in prepaid expenses.

Their current liabilities amount to Rs. 23,000 which includes Rs. 12,000 in accounts payable, Rs. 8,000 in short-term debt, and Rs. 3,000 in accrued liabilities.

So according to the formula given above, the company’s working capital is current assets - current liabilities, i.e Rs 50,000 - Rs. 23,0000 = Rs. 27,000.

This means that the company has Rs. 27,000 available for its day-to-day operations.

Types of Working Capital

Permanent working capital:

The minimum amount of working capital necessary to guarantee the business performs efficiently all the time is permanent, or fixed, working capital. This type of working capital is tied to the company's fixed assets and represents the funds necessary to keep those assets in place. Its value does not change much relative to the value of the business as a whole or its level of sales.

Temporary Working Capital

Also known as variable working capital, temporary working capital is the working capital a business needs to manage its day-to-day operations. It is the kind of working capital a firm must maintain as it ripples from one phase to the next of the business activity cycle. Firms that experience pronounced seasonal or cyclical patterns often use the appropriation of "temporary working capital" to stress that it is not a working capital that will become a permanent fixture like the business. It is a kind of working capital that will permit a firm to bridge the gap between average and peak months or quarters, without resorting to the costly borrowing of bridge loans.

Regular working capital

Working capital for the day-to-day operations of a business has to be predictable, and dependable, and keep the ship afloat no matter what the tides are doing. That's why regular working capital has to be the backbone of the balance sheet, showing in an ideal world just how much capital is needed and that the business can easily swing with the current and even against it if events so require.

Seasonal working capital

This type of working capital is required for businesses to maintain operations during the Time of increased demand in selected seasons of the year. Businesses have to cope not only with an increased volume of sales but also an increase in other activities directly or indirectly related to the volume of sales. Most often, businesses do this by increasing their capital base or by borrowing additional capital from lending institutions.

Working Capital Management

Ensuring the financial stability of a business and maintaining a healthy cash flow requires effective working capital management.

There are plenty of ways to accomplish that goal. When working capital is used sensibly, it can serve as a "safety cushion" in case the business runs into a tight cash flow position.

Cash should be managed as closely as possible.

This means that the business needs to keep an eye on current cash flow, is working with a meaningful cash flow forecast, and has implemented well-thought-out processes for when the business is deprived of cash for a period.

Managing inventory is important.

Keeping too much of it around can hurt in two ways: It ties up capital, and the more we have, the more it costs to store. But not having enough inventory is bad too.

Running out of goods or parts and not being able to fulfill customer orders means losing sales and maybe even losing customers. We must keep inventory around but at the right levels.

Receivables management.

It is more than just making sure that we receive money from customers. It is twice as important (i.e., it takes twice as long and requires twice as much work) to get the money as it is to collect from another asset, such as property or an investment.

This section deals with the management of customer debt. The techniques used here are aimed at making the customer pay on an existing debt.

Proper handling of accounts payable is necessary to maintain healthy vendor relationships and reap the benefits of credit terms. You must insist on favorable terms from your vendors, make the agreed-upon payments on time, and make an installment or take up some other opportunity to receive a discount when it is to your advantage. It is not O.K. to just throw money at a bill!

Types of Working Capital Loans

It is quite common for businesses to need money from the outside to cover their working capital requirements. Several different types of working capital loans are available in the economy, but we'll look at two of the most common ones here.

Short-Term Loans

When you take out a short-term loan, you're borrowing a set amount of money for a limited time—usually 12 months or less. These sorts of loans are obtainable relatively quickly and have the lowest interest rates you're likely to find.

Overdraft facility

It is a convenient type of loan that permits a business to withdraw amounts greater than the balance it holds in its bank accounts but within a specified limit. It is an excellent tool to help manage a temporary cash crunch.

Trade Credit

In contrast, trade credit is quite different. It occurs when a business gives a good or a service to another business and allows it to pay after a certain period has passed.

This, too, helps in managing short-term cash flow but can also allow a company to delay, with permission, the payment of an immediate obligation.

Cash Credit

refers to a loan that lets a company access the cash in its bank account on an as-needed basis, within a specified limit. With this type of loan, the company pays interest only on the funds it has used (which makes it more cost-effective as a working capital finance option).

Invoice discounting

means a business owner can choose to "sell" their unpaid invoices to a third party at a discount. This gives the business immediate cash inflow and, therefore, helps it to meet its working capital needs without having to wait for customers to pay the discounted invoices.

Difference Between Permanent Working Capital and Temporary Working Capital

It is absolutely important to comprehend the distinction between permanent working capital and temporary working capital when it comes to making clear and effective financial plans. Permanent working capital is the least amount of current assets a business must have on hand at all times. No matter what the day-to-day ebb and flow of a business, permanent working capital is necessary to cover the constant portion of the cash flow equation—essentially, the part handled by the business's normal operations.

Primarily there are 2 types of working capital: permanent and temporary.

Permanent working capital is like "good debt." We finance it using long-term, low-cost debt (such as business equity or long-term loans). It is the money that is the part of the ongoing business that gets recirculated back into the business. Some folks refer to it as a "revolving door," because as soon as some portion is used to pay an account or some payroll, there it is, back in the business, as ready as can be for the next dollar disbursement.

Temporary working capital, on the other hand, is a short-term form of investment in the business. Because permanent working capital is a long-term investment, it bears less risk and provides steadiness to the business. Temporary working capital, being short-term, carries more risk, but it is also more adaptable for coping with sudden business upswings.

Feature	Permanent Working Capital	Temporary Working Capital
Definition	Think of it as the baseline amount of money your business always needs to keep running smoothly.	This is the extra cash you need when your business suddenly gets busier or faces short-term needs.
Nature	It's long-term and stable, always there to keep the business operations steady.	It's short-term and can change a lot, depending on the business's immediate needs.
Financing	You finance it with long-term, low-cost options like business equity or long-term loans.	You might use short-term loans or credit to cover this.
Risk	It's less risky because it's stable and always needed.	It's riskier because it's only for short-term needs and can fluctuate.
Purpose	To cover the everyday expenses and keep things running without hiccups.	To handle those sudden spikes in business or temporary needs.
Recirculation	It's like a revolving door—money goes out to pay for things but comes right back in to be used again.	This money doesn't keep coming back; it's used for specific short-term purposes and then it's done.
Example	Money for regular payroll and keeping your inventory at consistent levels.	Money for buying extra inventory for a holiday rush or funding a short-term marketing blitz.

The Indian Perspective

In the Indian business environment, it is foremost to handle working capital rightly because the market is dynamic and diverse. Companies, particularly the small and medium ones, in India, come across several hurdles in ensuring effective working capital management. This is because market conditions keep on varying, limited credit is available, and at the same time, have to meet seasonal demands.

1. Challenges in Working Capital Management

Common problems that Indian companies encounter include late payment settlements, stockpiling of excessive inventory, and access to credit at unfavorable terms and rates. To overcome these issues and thrive in a difficult market environment, firms must practice effective working capital management.

2. Government Initiatives

The Indian government has implemented a variety of programs to help companies of all types access the working capital they require. The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) and the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) are two of these initiatives. They aim to provide financial assistance to all sorts of companies but are particularly focused on micro and small businesses. These two programs offer companies ways to manage their working capital demands more effectively.

3. Technological Advancements

In India, working capital management has been radically changed. It used to be the case that companies managed their working capital through a host of labor-intensive processes such as paper-based invoicing. But now, digital technologies and fintech solutions have seen to it that working capital management in the country is not only faster, but far less of a hassle. What follows is a look at some of the specific ways Indian companies are using these technologies to manage their working capital.

4. Sector-Specific Considerations

The Indian working capital requirement distinguishes itself across various industries or sectors. For example, in the agricultural sector, the requirement differs considerably within a year, depending on the crop and the region. Working capital is mostly required during the sowing and harvesting periods and for a short period afterward. Similarly, in the retail sector, particularly in e-commerce, there is an equal requirement to manage inventories and receivables; that too at times, is experiencing considerable fluctuation.

Conclusion

It is vitally important to a business's success to not only comprehend the different types of working capital but also to be able to manage them. Businesses today, in whatever market they might find themselves (especially the dynamic and diverse Indian market), need to have a working knowledge of the technologies available, along with a clear understanding of government policies and practices that can help in managing all the different kinds of working capital that a business deals with, on an almost daily basis. What follows is an in-depth exploration of working capital and working capital management, along with some information about government schemes that are available for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and how businesses can leverage these for enhanced working capital management.

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FAQs

1. What is working capital?

Working capital is the money a company has left after paying for its main operations, such as producing or buying inventory, running the manufacturing or services operation, and paying its core overhead (the costs of running the office and selling to customers).

2. What is the working capital formula?

The formula for working capital is very simple. It is given by the equation working capital equals current assets minus current liabilities.

Working Capital = Current Assets - Current Liabilities

3. What's the difference between permanent and temporary working capital?

The steady funds needed for continuous operations are identified as permanent working capital, while the money set aside to cover short-term needs that rise and fall with the ups and downs of business activity is known as temporary working capital.

4. How can businesses manage their working capital effectively?

Efficient working capital management requires you to keep a close eye on cash flow, manage inventory levels well, make sure you get paid on time, and pay your suppliers on favorable terms.

5. Which working capital loans are commonly used by businesses?

Businesses often turn to a variety of working capital loan types which include short-term loans, trade credit, invoice discounting, cash credit, and overdraft facilities. They use these loans to obtain immediate amounts of money with which to capitalize their business operations.