14 Factors Affecting Working Capital Requirements

Factors affecting working capital requirements

14 factors affecting working capital requirements of a business:

Image credits © Prof. Mudit Katyani.

1. Nature of business,
2. Size of business,
3. Time and complexities of manufacturing process,
4. Manufacturing cost,
5. Growth and Expansion,
6. Terms of purchase and sales,
7. Conditions of supply,
8. Market conditions,
9. Business cycle,
10. Operating cycle,
11. Rate of Turnover,
12. Cash requirements,
13. Seasonal variations, and
14. Other factors.

Now let's discuss factors determining working capital requirements.

1. Nature of Business

The amount of working capital required depends on the kind or nature of business a company performs:

1. In case of public utilities, less capital is required. It is so, since, they don't have any stock in trade and they sell on a cash basis.
2. Companies involved in trading and providing services require more working capital because they have to keep a lot of stock-in-trade. They also have to maintain a lot of liquid cash, bills receivable, so on.
3. Manufacturing companies need more working capital to continue production if they use imported and costly raw materials.
4. Labour intensive industries also require more working capital because they have to spend a lot of money on giving wages and salaries to workers or employees.
5. Capital intensive industries need less working capital because they have to depends more on machines and less on the workers.

2. Size of Business

A size of business determines the amount of working capital that is needed.

For, e.g., bigger companies require more working capital than smaller ones.

3. Time and Complexities of Manufacturing Process

The time and complexities involved in the manufacturing process affect the amount of working capital that is required:

1. If the manufacturing process is long and complicated, then more working capital is required. For example, companies manufacturing automobiles need more working capital.
2. If the manufacturing process is short and simple, then less working capital is required. For example, companies involved in manufacturing soaps requires less working capital.

4. Manufacturing Cost

The manufacturing cost is another factor that determines, how much working capital is needed.

For example, if production cost of a product is high then working capital required is also more and vice versa.

5. Growth and Expansion

If a company is growing and expanding its business activities, then it will need more working capital to maintain its growth.

6. Terms of Purchase and Sales

The working capital requirements of a company depends on its terms of purchase and sales:

1. If it makes a purchase on credit and sells on a cash basis, then it requires less working capital.
2. Conversely, if it buy with cash and sells on credit, then it will need more working capital.

7. Conditions of Supply

The working capital requirements of the company depends on the conditions of supply:

1. If the supply of raw materials is regular, then the company can keep less inventory (stock). So, it will require less working capital.
2. But, if the supply is irregular then the company has to hold more stock. Therefore, in such a case, it will need more working capital.

8. Market Conditions

The working capital requirements of a company depends on the degree of competition in the market.

If the competition is intense, then the company has to spend a lot of money on running advertising campaigns and sales promotion. It will also have to keep more stock and sell on credit. So, it will require more working capital.

9. Business Cycle

The working capital requirements of a company depends on the business cycle.

Business cycle consists of a boom and recession period:

1. During the boom period, the sales are very high. So, in this time, the company has to spend a lot of money on raw material, wages, etc. So, it requires more working capital.
2. But, during the recession period, the sales decline as people tend to buy less. Thus, in this phase, the company needs less working capital.

10. Operating Cycle

A service company usually has a short operating cycle or period. It also sells on a cash basis. So, it requires less working capital. For example, electricity and transport companies.

A manufacturing company usually has a long operating cycle. It also sells on a credit basis. Therefore, it requires more working capital. For example, machine tools companies.

11. Rate of Turnover

The working capital requirements of a business depends on the rate of turnover or sales. If the sales are very fast, then less working capital is required and vice versa.

12. Cash Requirements

A company needs cash for paying salaries, rent, taxes, so on. If the company's cash needs are high, then it requires more working capital. In other words, higher the cash requirement, greater will be the working capital required and vice versa.

13. Seasonal Variations

The seasonal variations also influence the working capital:

1. During the busy season, more working capital is required.
2. During the slack (less busy) season less working capital is required.

14. Other Factors

Additional factors influencing working capital requirements:

• Transport facilities,
• Changes in price level,
• The credit standing of the company, etc.

Now read related article on this topic:

1. Factors affecting fixed capital requirement.