Working Capital
Working capital is the money a business has available for day-to-day operations, calculated as current assets minus current liabilities.
Working capital measures short-term financial health — whether a business can cover its immediate obligations. In procurement, payment terms directly affect it: paying suppliers later (higher days payable outstanding) frees up cash, while paying earlier ties it up but may earn discounts.
Managing working capital is a balancing act between cash flow, supplier goodwill and the cost of financing. Extending supplier payment terms and consolidating purchasing are common procurement levers to improve it.
Frequently asked questions
- What is working capital?
- Working capital is the money available for day-to-day operations — current assets minus current liabilities — indicating whether a business can cover its short-term obligations.
- How does procurement affect working capital?
- Through payment terms: paying suppliers later frees up cash and improves working capital, while paying earlier ties up cash but may capture early-payment discounts.
Related terms
Days Payable Outstanding (DPO)
Days payable outstanding (DPO) is the average number of days a company takes to pay its suppliers after receiving an invoice.
Read definitionCredit Terms
Credit terms are the conditions under which a supplier allows a buyer to pay for goods after delivery, rather than upfront — for example, payment within 30 days.
Read definitionEarly Payment Discount
An early payment discount is a reduction a supplier offers a buyer for paying an invoice before its due date.
Read definitionExplore related across the knowledge graph
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