Consequence of the cash operating cycle, Financial Management

Assignment Help:

Q. Consequence of the cash operating cycle?

The cash operating cycle is the length of time among paying trade payables and receiving cash from receivables. It is able to be calculated by adding together the average inventory holding period and the average receivables' deferral period and then subtracting the average payables' deferral period. The inventory holding period perhaps subdivided into the holding periods for raw materials work-in-progress and finished goods. In words of accounting ratios the cash operating cycle is able to be approximated by adding together inventory days and receivables days (receivables' ratio) and subtracting payables days (payables' ratio). If payables are paid prior to cash is received from receivables the cash operating cycle is positive if receivables pay before trade payables are paid the cycle is negative.

The consequence of the cash operating cycle in determining the level of investment in working capital is that the longer the cash operating cycle the higher the investment in working capital. The length of the cash operating cycle differ among industries for instance a service organization may have no inventory holding period a retail organization will have a inventory holding period based almost entirely on finished goods and a very low level of receivables and a manufacturing organization will have a inventory holding period based on raw materials work-in-progress and finished goods. The stage of investment in working capital will thus depend on the nature of business operations.

The cash operating cycle as well as the resulting level of investment in working capital does not depend only on the nature of the business however. Companies within the similar business sector may have different levels of investment in working capital measured for example by the accounting ratio of sales/net working capital as a result of adopting different working capital policies. A moderately aggressive policy on the level of investment in working capital is characterized by lower levels of inventory and receivables this lower level of investment raises profitability but also increases the risk of running out of inventory or of losing potential customers due to better credit terms being offered by competitors. A moderately conservative policy on the level of investment in working capital has higher levels of investment in inventory and receivables: profitability is consequently reduced but the risk of stock-outs is lower and new credit customers may be attracted by more generous terms.

It is as well possible to reduce the level of investment in working capital by reducing the length of the cash operating cycle. This is achieved by decreasing the inventory holding period (for example by using JIT methods) by reducing the receivables deferral period (for example by improving receivables management) or by increasing the payables deferral period (for example by settling invoices as late as possible). In this manner an understanding of the cash operating cycle can assist in taking steps to improve working capital management and profitability.


Related Discussions:- Consequence of the cash operating cycle

Divisional performance evaluation, In modern strategic management accountin...

In modern strategic management accounting it is important to use appropriate performance measurements and control concepts, underpinned by theories and models applied in a variety

Bse-500 and sectoral indices, BSE-500 and Sectoral Indices On August 9,...

BSE-500 and Sectoral Indices On August 9, 1999, another new index was introduced in the market which was based on the data of 500 companies and designated as BSE-500 index. It

Describe the basic career stages, Q. Describe the basic Career stages? ...

Q. Describe the basic Career stages? The proper way to analyze and discuss career is to look at them as made up of stages. We can identify five career stages that people most p

Briefly explain suppliers and customers, Suppliers and customers Suppli...

Suppliers and customers Suppliers as well as customers are external stakeholders with their own set of objectives profit for the supplier and possibly customer satisfaction wit

APR and EAR, Assume a bank charges a 15.5% APR (annual percentage rate) on ...

Assume a bank charges a 15.5% APR (annual percentage rate) on credit card holder compounds quarterly. What EAR (effective annual rate) is the bank is charging? What if they change

How much your investments will be worth at retirement time, Suppose you are...

Suppose you are planning to make regular contributions in equal payments to an investment fund for your retirement. Which formula would you use to figure out how much your investme

LP Problem, Max Z = 107x1+x2+2x3 Subject to 14x1+x2-6x3+3x4=7 16x1+x2-6x3...

Max Z = 107x1+x2+2x3 Subject to 14x1+x2-6x3+3x4=7 16x1+x2-6x3 3x1-x2-x3 x1,x2,x3,x4 >=0

What is the bonds value, Third Inc. wishes to issue a perpetual callable bo...

Third Inc. wishes to issue a perpetual callable bond. The current interest rate is 6%. Next year, there is a 30% chance that the interest rate will be 4.5% and a 70% chance that th

Enumerate the securities and investment analysis, Enumerate the Securities ...

Enumerate the Securities and Investment Analysis Purchase of bonds, stocks and othersecurities involve analysis and techniques which are highly specialized. An investorshoul

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd