Skip to main content
1 min read ·

Working Capital

Working capital is the difference between a company's current assets (cash, receivables, inventory) and current liabilities (payables, short-term debt, accrued expenses). It measures the short-term liquidity available to fund day-to-day operations. Positive working capital means the business can cover its near-term obligations; negative working capital may signal liquidity stress — or, in certain business models, efficient use of supplier financing. Working capital management is one of the most direct levers a CFO has for managing cash flow.

Why This Matters

Working capital is where profitability and liquidity meet. A company can be profitable and still run out of cash if working capital is poorly managed — receivables grow faster than collections, inventory accumulates beyond what is needed, or payment terms shift unfavourably. For mid-market companies, where external financing is more constrained than in large corporates, working capital management is a primary determinant of whether the business can fund its own growth or needs to borrow to cover operational gaps.

Where This Fits

This term sits within the Reporting Infrastructure area of Performance & Control.

Let's go!

Transform your financial controlling

From reporting foundations to comprehensive managed services, we help finance teams see clearly, decide confidently, and act decisively.

Book a free consultation