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What is working capital?

Glossary definition

What is working capital?

Integral to daily functioning, working capital is the financial measure of an organisation’s ability to pay its short-term debts and expenses. A company’s working capital represents the funds available on hand to cover day-to-day operations.

The universal net working capital formula is:

Net Working Capital = Current Assets – Current Liabilities

A business’s current assets are all possessed cash or cash equivalents—this includes undeposited cheques, current and savings accounts, money market accounts, and short-term, quick-turnaround investments. Current liabilities are financial obligations due within the company’s operating cycle. This simple working capital definition should serve in your organisation’s regularly prepared balance sheets.

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