FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Definition of Finance
According to F.W.Paish, Finance may be defined as the position of money at the time it is wanted.
In the words of Bonneville and Dewey, Financing consists in the raising, providing, managing of all
the money, capital or funds of any kind to be used in connection with the business.

Types of Finance
Business Finance
The term ‘business finance’ is very comprehensive. It implies finances of business activities. The
term, ‘business’ can be categorized into three groups: commerce, industry and service. It is a process
of raising, providing and managing of all the money to be used in connection with business activities.
Business finance deals with a broad spectrum of the financial activities of a business firm. It refers to
the raising and procurement of funds and their appropriate utilisation. It includes within its scope
commercial finance, industrial finance, proprietary finance corporation finance and even agricultural
finance.
The finance manager has to assume the new responsibility of managing the total funds committed to
total assets and allocating funds to individual assets in consonance with the overall objectives of the
business enterprise.
Direct Finance
The term ‘direct’, as applied to the financial organisation, signifies that savings are affected directly
from the saving-surplus units without the intervention of financial institutions such as investment
companies, insurance companies, unit trusts, and so on.
Indirect Finance
The term ‘indirect finance’ refers to the flow of savings from the savers to the entrepreneurs through
intermediary financial institutions such as investment companies, unit trusts and insurance
companies, and so on.
Public Finance
It is the study of principles and practices pertaining to acquisition of funds for meeting the
requirements of government bodies and administration of these funds by the government.
Private Finance
It is concerned with procuring money for private organization and management of the money by
individuals, voluntary associations and corporations. It seeks to analyse the principles and practices
of managing one’s own daily affairs. The finance of non-profit organization deals with the practices,
procedures and problems involved in the financial management of educational chartable and religions
and the like organizations.
Corporation Finance
Corporation finance deals with the financial problems of a corporate enterprise. These problems
include the financial aspects of the promotion of new enterprises and their administration during their
early period ; the accounting problems connected with the distinction between capital and income,
the administrative problems arising out of growth and expansion, and, finally, the financial’
adjustments which are necessary to bolster up to rehabilitate a corporation which has run into
financial difficulties.

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Nature of Financial Management

Financial management is applicable to every type of organization, irrespective of the size, kind or
nature. Every organization aims to utilize its resources in a best possible and profitable way.

1. Financial Management is an integral part of overall management. Financial considerations are

involved in all business decisions. Acquisition, maintenance, removal or replacement of assets,
employee compensation, sources and costs of different capital, production, marketing, finance and
personnel decision, almost all decisions for that matter have financial implications. Therefore,
financial management is pervasive throughout the organisation.

2. The central focus of financial management is valuation of the firm. Financial decisions are
directed at increasing/maximization/ optimizing the value of the institution. Weston and Brigham
depict the above orientation in the exhibit given below:

3. Financial management essentially involves risk-return trade-off. Decisions on investment involve

choosing of types of assets which generate returns accompanied by risks. Generally higher the risk
returns might be higher and vice versa. So, the financial manager has to decide the level of risk the
firm can assume and satisfy with the accompanying return. Similarly, cheaper sources of capital have
other disadvantages. So to avail the benefit of the low cost funds, the firm has to put up with certain
risks, so, risk-return trade-off is there throughout.

4. Financial management affects the survival, growth and vitality of the institution. Finance is said to
be the life blood of institutions. The amount, type, sources, conditions and cost of finance squarely
influence the functioning of the institution.

5. Finance functions, i.e., investment, raising of capital, distribution of profit, are performed in all
firms - business or non-business, big or small, proprietary or corporate undertakings. Yes, financial
management is a concern of every concern including educational institutions.

6. Financial management is a sub-system of the institutional system which has other subsystems like
academic activities, research wing, etc, In systems arrangement financial sub-system is to be well-
coordinated with others and other sub-systems well matched with the financial sub-system.

7. Financial management of an institution is influenced by the external legal and economic

environment. The legal constraints on using a particular type of funds or on investing in a particular
type of activity, etc., affect financial decisions of the institution. Financial management is, therefore,
highly influenced/constrained by external environment.

8. Financial management is related to other disciplines like accounting, economics, taxation,

operations research, mathematics, statistics etc., It draws heavily from these disciplines.

9. There are some procedural finance functions - like record keeping, credit appraisal and collection,
inventory replenishment and issue, etc. It is normally delegated to bottom level management
executives.

10. The nature of finance function is influenced by the special characteristic of the business. In a
predominantly technology oriented institutions like CSIR, CECRI, it is the R & D functions which
get more dominance, while in a university or college the different courses offered and research which
get more priority and so on.

Finance Function – Objectives

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The objective of finance function is to arrange as much funds for the business as are required from
time to time. This function has the following objectives.

1. Assessing the Financial Requirements

The main objective of finance function is to assess the financial needs of an organization and then
finding out suitable sources for raising them. The sources should be commensurate with the needs of
the business. If funds are needed for longer periods then long-term sources like share capital,
debentures, term loans may be explored.

2. Proper Utilisation of Funds

Though raising of funds is important but their effective utilisation is more important. The funds
should be used in such a way that maximum benefit is derived from them. The returns from their use
should be more than their cost. It should be ensured that funds do not remain idle at any point of
time. The funds committed to various operations should be effectively utilised. Those projects should
be preferred which are beneficial to the business.

3. Increasing Profitability
The planning and control of finance function aims at increasing profitability of the concern. It is true
that money generates money. To increase profitability, sufficient funds will have to be invested.
Finance function should be so planned that the concern neither suffers from inadequacy of funds nor
wastes more funds than required. A proper control should also be exercised so that scarce resources
are not frittered away on uneconomical operations. The cost of acquiring funds also influences
profitability of the business.

4. Maximising Value of Firm

Finance function also aims at maximizing the value of the firm. It is generally said that a concern’s
value is linked with its profitability.

Scope of Finance Function

The scope of finance function is very wide. While accounting is concerned with the routine type of
work, finance function is concerned with financial planning, policy formulation and control. Earnest
W. Walker and William are of the opinion that the financial function has always been important in
business management. The financial organisation depends upon the nature of the organization –
whether it is a proprietary organisation, a partnership firm or corporate body. The significance of the
finance function depends on the nature and size of a business firm. The role of various finance
officers must be clearly defined to avoid conflicts and the overlapping of responsibilities. The
operational functions of finance include:
1. Financial planning
2. Deciding the capital structure
3. Selection of source of finance
4. Selection of pattern of investment

Financial Planning
The first task of a financial manager is to estimate short-term and long-term financial requirements of
his business. For this purpose, he will prepare a financial plan for present as well as for future. The
estimation of fund is essential to purchase fixed assets as well as for the rotation of working capital.
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The estimations should be based on sound financial principles so that neither there are inadequate nor
excess funds with the concern. The inadequacy of funds will adversely affect the day-to-day
operations of the concern whereas excess funds may tempt a management to indulge in extravagant
spending or speculative activities.

Deciding Capital Structure

The Capital structure refers to the kind and proportion of different securities for raising funds. After
deciding about the quantum of funds required it should be decided which type of securities should be
raised. It may be wise to finance fixed assets through long-term debts. Even if gestation period is
longer, then share capital may be most suitable. Long-term funds should be raised. It may be wise to
finance fixed assets through long-term debts. Even here if gestation period is longer, then share
capital may be most suitable. Long-term funds should be employed to finance working capital also, if
not wholly then partially. Entirely depending upon overdrafts and cash creditors for meeting working
capital needs may not be suitable. A decision about various sources for funds should be linked to the
cost of raising funds. If cost of raising funds is very high then such sources may not be useful for
long.
Selection of Source of Finance
After preparing a capital structure, an appropriate source of finance is selected. Various sources, from
which finance may be raised, include share capital, debentures, financial institutions, commercial
banks, public deposits, etc. If finances are needed for short periods then banks, public deposits and
financial institutions may be appropriate; on the other hand, if long-term finances are required then
share capital and debentures may be useful. If the concern does not want to tie down assets as
securities then public deposits may be a suitable source. If management does not want to dilute
ownership then debentures should be issued in preference to share.
Selection of Pattern of Investment
When funds have been procured then a decision about investment pattern is to be taken. The selection
of an investment pattern is related to the use of funds. A decision will have to be taken as to which
assets are to be purchased? The funds will have to be spent first on fixed assets and then an
appropriate portion will be retained for Working Capital. The decision-making techniques such as
Capital Budgeting, Opportunity Cost Analysis, etc. may be applied in making decisions about capital
expenditures. While spending on various assets, the principles of safety, profitability and liquidity
should not be ignored. A balance should be struck even in these principles.

Financial Management – Key Areas

The key areas of financial management are discussed in the following paragraphs:

1. Estimating the Capital Requirements of the Concern

The Financial Manager should exercise maximum care in estimating the financial requirement of the
firm. To do this most effectively, he will have to use long-range planning techniques. This is because,
every business enterprise requires funds not only for long-term purposes for investment in fixed
assets, but also for short term so as to havesufficient working capital. He can do his job properly if he
can prepare budgets of various activities for estimating the financial requirements of the enterprise.
Carelessness in this regard is sure to result in either deficiency or surplus of funds. If the concern is
suffering because of insufficient capital, it cannot successfully meet its commitments in time,
whereas if it has acquired excess capital, the task of managing such excess capital may not only
prove very costly but also tempt the management to spend extravagantly.

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2. Determining the Capital Structure of the Enterprise

The Capital Structure of an enterprise refers to the kind and proportion of different securities. The
Financial Manager can decide the kind and proportion of various sources of capital only after the
requirement of Capital Funds has been decided. The decisions regarding an ideal mix of equity and
debt as well as short-term and long-term debt ratio will have to be taken in the light of the cost of
raising finance from various sources, the period for which the funds are required and so on. Care
should be taken to raise sufficient long-term capital in order to finance the fixed assets as well as the
extension programme of the enterprise in such a wise manner as to strike an ideal balance between
the own funds and the loan funds of the enterprise.

3. Finalising the Choice as to the Sources of Finance

The capital structure finalised by the management decides the final choice between the various
sources of finance. The important sources are share-holders, debenture-holders, banks and other
financial institutions, public deposits and so on. The final choice actually depends upon a careful
evaluation of the costs and other conditions involved in these sources. For instance, although public
deposits carry higher rate of interest than on debentures, certain enterprises prefer them to debentures
as they do not involve the creation of any charge on any of the company’s assets. Likewise,
companies that are not willing to dilute ownership may prefer other sources instead of investors in its
share capital.

4. Deciding the Pattern of Investment of Funds

The Financial Manager must prudently invest the funds procured, in various assets in such a
judicious manner as to optimise the return on investment without jeopardising the long-term survival
of the enterprise. Two important techniques— (i) Capital Budgeting; and (ii) Opportunity Cost
Analysis—can guide him in finalising the investment of long-term funds by helping him in making a
careful assessment of various alternatives. A portion of the long-term funds of the enterprise should
be earmarked for investment in the company’s working capital also. He can take proper decisions
regarding the investment of funds only when he succeeds in striking an ideal balance between the
conflicting principles of safety, profitability and liquidity. He should not attach all the importance
only to the canon of profitability. This is particularly because of the fact that the company’s solvency
will be in jeopardy, in case major portion of its funds are locked up in highly profitable but totally
unsafe projects. .

5. Distribution of Surplus Judiciously

The Financial Manager should decide the extent of the surplus that is to be retained for ploughing
back and the extent of the surplus to be distributed as dividend to shareholders. Since decisions
pertaining to disposal of surplus constitute a very important area of Financial Management, he must
carefully evaluate such influencing factors as—(a) the trend of earnings of the company; (A) the
trend of the market price of its shares; (c) the extent of funds required for meeting the self-financing
needs of the company; (d) the future prospects; (e) the cash flow position, etc.

6. Efficient Management of Cash

Cash is absolutely necessary for maintaining enough liquidity. The Company requires cash to—(a)
pay off creditors; (b) buy stock of materials; (c) make payments to laborers; and (d) meet routine
expenses. It is the responsibility of the Financial Manager to make the necessary arrangements to
ensure that all the departments of the Enterprise get the required amount of cash in time for
promoting a smooth flow of all operations. Short-age of cash on any particular occasion is sure to
damage the credit- worthiness of the enterprise. At the same time, it is not advisable to keep idle cash
also. Idle cash should be invested in near-cash assets that are capable of being converted into cash

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quickly without any loss during emergencies. The exact requirements of cash during various periods
can be assessed by the Financial Manager by preparing a cash-flow statement in advance.

Finance Manager – Functions

Finance manager is an integral part of corporate management of an organization. With his profession
experience, expertise knowledge and competence, he has to play a key role in optimal utilization of
financial resources of the organization. With the growth in the size of the organization, degree of
specialization of finance function increases. In large undertakings, the finance manager is a top
management executive who participants in various decision making functions. He has to update his
knowledge with regard to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Foreign portfolio investment, mergers,
amalgamations acquisitions, and corporate restructuring, performance management, risk management
corporate governance, investor relations, working capital management, derivative trading practices,
investor education and investor protection etc.
1. Forecasting of Cash Flow. This is necessary for the successful day to day operations of the
business so that it can discharge its obligations as and when they rise. In fact, it involves matching of
cash inflows against outflows and the manager must forecast the sources and timing of inflows from
customers and use them to pay the liability.
2. Raising Funds: the Financial Manager has to plan for mobilising funds from different sources so
that the requisite amount of funds are made available to the business enterprise to meet its
requirements for short term, medium term and long term.
3. Managing the Flow of Internal Funds: Here the Manager has to keep a track of the surplus in
various bank accounts of the organisation and ensure that they are properly utilised to meet the
requirements of the business. This will ensure that liquidity position of the company is maintained
intact with the minimum amount of external borrowings.
4. To Facilitate Cost Control: The Financial Manager is generally the first person to recognise
when the costs for the supplies or production processes are exceeding the standard costs/budgeted
figures. Consequently, he can make recommendations to the top management for controlling the
costs.
5. To Facilitate Pricing of Product, Product Lines and Services: The Financial Manager can
supply important information about cost changes and cost at varying levels of production and the
profit margins needed to carry on the business successfully. In fact, financial manager provides tools
of analysis of information in pricing decisions and contribute to the formulation of pricing policies
jointly with the marketing manager.
6. Forecasting Profits: The Financial manager is usually responsible for collecting the relevant data
to make forecasts of profit levels in future.
7. Measuring Required Return: The acceptance or rejection of an investment proposal depends on
whether the expected return from the proposed investment is equal to or more than the required
return. An investment project is accepted if the expected return is equal or more than the required
return. Determination of required rate of return is the responsibility of the financial manager and is a
part of the financing decision.
8. Managing Assets: The function of asset management focuses on the decision-making role of the
financial manager. Finance personnel meet with other officers of the firm and participate in making
decisions affecting the current and future utilization of the firm’s resources. As an example,
managers may discuss the total amount of assets needed by the firm to carry out its operations. They
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will determine the composition or a mix of assets that will help the firm best achieve its goals. They
will identify ways to use existing assets more effectively and reduce waste and unwarranted
expenses. The decision-making role crosses liquidity and profitability lines. Converting the idle
equipment into cash improves liquidity. Reducing costs improves profitability.
9. Managing Funds: In the management of funds, the financial manager acts as a specialised staff
officer to the Chief Executive of the company. The manager is responsible for having sufficient funds
for the firm to conduct its business and to pay its bills. Money must be located to finance receivables
and inventories, 10 make arrangements for the purchase of assets, and to identify the sources of long-
term financing. Cash must be available to pay dividends declared by the board of directors. The
management of funds has therefore, both liquidity and profitability aspects.

Goals of Financial Management

Goals act as motivators, serve as the standards for measuring performance, help in coordination of
multiplicity of tasks, facilitate in identifying inter departmental relationships and so on. The goals can
be classified as official goals, operative goals and operational goals.
The official goals are the general objective of any organization. They include mechanism of ROI and
market value of the firms.
The operative goals indicate the actual efforts taken by an organization to implement various plans,
policies and norms. The operational goals are more directed, quantitative and verifiable. In fine, it
can be inferred that the official, operative and operational goals are set with a pyramidal shape, the
official goals at the helm of affairs (concerned with top level executives) operative goals at the
middle level and operational goals at the lower level.
Following are the other objectives of financial management.
To build up reserves for growth and expansion

To ensure a fair return to shareholders

To ensure maximum operational efficiency by efficient and effective utilization of finances.

The financial decisions can rationally be made only when the business enterprise has certain well
thought out objectives. It is argued that the achievement of central goal of maximisation of the
owner’s economic welfare depends upon the adoption of two criteria, viz., i) profit maximisation; and
(ii) wealth maximisation.

Profit Maximisation
The term ‘profit maximization’ implies generation of largest amount of profits over the time period
being analysed, secondary to Prof. Peter Drucker, business profits play a functional role in three
different ways. In the words of Peter Drucker
Profits indicate the effectiveness of business profits
They provide the premium to cover costs of staying in business and
They ensure supply of future capital.

Profits are source of funds from which organizations are able to defray certain expenses like
replacement, obsolescence, marketing etc.

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Maximization of profits for a long term is desirable and appreciable. The tendency to maximize
profits in the short run may invite innumerable problems to the organization concerned. In fact,
maximization of profits in the short run may give an impression of being exploitative. The extent of
uncertainty in business increases the appreciation of proprietor / partner / company and hence many
prefershort-run profit maximisation to long –run profit maximisation.
The underlying basic of profit maximization is efficiency. It is assumed that profit maximization
causes the efficient allocation of resources under the competitive impact conditions and profit is
regarded as the most appropriate measure of a firm’s performance.

Arguments in favour of profit maximization

Arguments in favour of profit maximization as the objective of business are enumerated below:
1. Profits are the major source of finance for the growth and development of its business.
2. Profitability serves as a barometer for measuring efficiency and economic prosperity of a
business entity.
3. Profits are required to promote socio-economic welfare.

Criticisms levelled against profit maximization

However, profit maximization objective has been criticized on innumerable grounds. Under the
changed economic and corporate environment, profit-maximisation is regarded as unrealistic,
difficult, and inappropriate and socially not much liked goal for business organizations. Profit
maximization as an objective of financial management has been considered inadequate and rejected
because of the following drawbacks.
1) There are several goals towards which a business firm / organization should direct themselves
profit – maximization is one of the goals of the organization and not the only goal.
2) Maintenance of firm’s share in the market, development and growth of the firm, expansion and
diversification are other goals of business concern.
3) Rendering social responsibility
4) Enhancing the shareholders’ wealth maximization.

As Solomon opines, profit maximisation has been rejected as an operational criterion for maximising
the owner’s economic welfare as it cannot help us in ranking alternative courses of action in terms of
their economic efficiency. This is because—(i) it is vague; (ii) it ignores the timing of returns; (iii) it
ignores risk.
Profit maximisation is considered as an important goal in financial decision-making in an
organisation. It ensures that firm utilizes its available resources most efficiently under conditions of
competitive markets. Profit maximisation as corporate goal is criticised by scholars mainly on
following grounds:
i. It is vague conceptually.
ii. It ignores timing of returns.
iii. It ignores the risk factor.
iv. It may tempt to make such decisions which may in the long run prove disastrous.
v. Its emphasis is generally on short run projects.
vi. It may cause decreasing share prices.
vii. The profit is only one of the many objectives and variables that a firm considers.

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Wealth Maximisation
Wealth Maximisation refers to all the efforts put in for maximizing the net present value (i.e. wealth)
of any particular course of action which is just the difference between the gross present value of its
benefits and the amount of investment required to achieve such benefits.
Wealth maximisation principle is also consistent with the objective of ‘maximising the economic
welfare of the proprietors of the firm’. This, in turn, calls for an all-out bid to maximise the market
value of shares of that firm which are held by its owners. As Van Horne aptly remarks, the market
price of the shares of a company (firm) serves as a performance index or report card of its progress. It
indicates how well management is doing on behalf of its share-holders.
The wealth maximization objective serves the interests of suppliers of loaned capital, employees,
management and society. This objective not only serves shareholders’ interests by increasing the
value of holding but also ensures security to lenders also. According to wealth maximization
objective, the primary objective of any business is to maximize shareholders wealth. It implies that
maximizing the net present value of a course of action to shareholders.
According to Solomon, net, present – value or wealth of a course of action is the difference between
the present value of its benefits and the present value of its costs. The objective of wealth
maximization is an appropriate and operationally feasible criteria to chose among the alternative
financial actions. It provides an unambiguous measure of what financial management should seek to
maximize in making investment and financing decisions on behalf of shareholders. However, while
pursuing the objective of wealth maximization, all efforts must be employed for maximizing the
current present value of any particular course of action. It implies that every financial decision should
be based on cost – benefit analysis. The shareholders, who obtained great benefits, would not like a
change in the management. The share’s market price serves as a performance index. It also reflects
the efficiency and efficacy of the management.
The Necessity of a Valuation Model portend has shown how the attainment of the objective of
maximising the market value of the firm’s shares (i.e. wealth maximisation) requires an appropriate
Valuation model to assess the value of the shares of the firm in Question. The Financial Manager
should realise or at least assume the extent of influence various factors are capable of wielding upon
the market price of his company’s shares. If not he may, not be able to maximise the value of such
shares.
Financial management is concerned with mobilization of financial resources and their effective
utilization towards achieving the organization its goals. Its main objective is to use funds in such a
way that the earnings are maximized. Financial management provides a framework for selecting a
proper course of action and deciding a viable commercial strategy. A business firm has a number of
objectives. Peter Driven has outlined the possible objectives of a firm as follows.
Market standing
Innovation
Productivity
Economical use of physical and financial resources
Increasing the profitability
Improved performance
Development of worker’s performance and co-operatives
Public responsibility
The wealth maximizing criterion is based on the concept of cash flows generated by the decision
rather than according profit which is the basis of the measurement of benefits in the case of profit

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maximization criterion. Measuring benefits in terms of cash flows avoids the ambiguity associated
with accounting profits.
Presently, maximisation of present value (or wealth) of a course of action is considered appropriate
operationally flexible goal for financial decision-making in an organisation.

Profit Maximisation versus Shareholder Wealth Maximization

Profit maximization is basically a single-period or, at the most, a short-term goal. It is usually
interpreted to mean the maximization of profits within a given period of time. A firm may maximize
its short-term profits at the expense of its long-term profitability and still realize this goal. In contrast,
shareholder wealth maximization is a long-term goal shareholders are interested in future as well as
present profits. Wealth maximization is generally preferred because it considers (1) wealth for the
long term, (2) risk or uncertainty. (3) the timing of returns, and (4) the “shareholders’ return. The
following table provides a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of these two often
conflicting goals

Profit Maximisation Vs. Shareholder Wealth Maximization

Goal Objective Advantages Disadvantages
Profit Large amount 1. Easy to calculate 1. Emphasizes the short-term
Maximisation of profits profits 2. Ignores risk or uncertainty
2. Easy to determine the 3. Ignores the timing of returns
link between financial 4. Requires immediate resources
decisions and profits

Shareholder Highest 1. Emphasizes the long 1. Offers no clear relationship

wealth market value term between financial decisions and
maximization of common 2. Recognises risk or stock price.
stock uncertainty 2. Can lead to management anxiety
3. Recognises the and frustration
timing of returns
4. Considers’ return

Financial Decisions – Types

Financial decisions refer to decisions concerning financial matters of a business firm. There are many
kinds of financial management decisions that the firm makers in pursuit of maximising shareholder’s
wealth, viz., kind of assets to be acquired, pattern of capitalisation, distribution of firm’s income etc.
We can classify these decisions into three major groups:

1. Investment decisions
2. Financing decision.
3. Dividend decisions.
4. Liquidity decisions.

1. Investment Decisions / Capital Budgeting Decisions

Investment Decision relates to the determination of total amount of assets to be held in the firm, the
composition of these assets and the business risk complexities of the firm as perceived by the
investors. It is the most important financial decision. Since funds involve cost and are available in a
limited quantity, its proper utilization is very necessary to achieve the goal of wealth maximisation.

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The investment decisions can be classified under two broad groups; (i) long-term investment decision
and (ii) Short-term, investment decision. The long-term investment decision is referred to as the
capital budgeting and the short-term investment decision as working capital management.

Capital budgeting is the process of making investment decisions in capital expenditure. These are
expenditures, the benefits of which are expected to be received over a long period of time exceeding
one year. The finance manager has to assess the profitability of various projects before committing
the funds. The investment proposals should be evaluated in terms of expected profitability, costs
involved and the risks associated with the projects. The investment decision is important not only for
the setting up of new units but also for the expansion of present units, replacement of permanent
assets, research and development project costs, and reallocation of funds, in case, investments made
earlier, do not fetch result as anticipated earlier.

2. Financing Decisions / Capital Structure Decisions

Once the firm has taken the investment decision and committed itself to new investment, it must
decide the best means of financing these commitments. Since, firms regularly make new investments;
the needs for financing and financial decisions are on going, hence, a firm will be continuously
planning for new financial needs. The financing decision is not only concerned with how best to
finance new asset, but also concerned with the best overall mix of financing for the firm.

A finance manager has to select such sources of funds which will make optimum capital structure.
The important thing to be decided here is the proportion of various sources in the overall capital mix
of the firm. The debt-equity ratio should be fixed in such a way that it helps in maximising the
profitability of the concern. The raising of more debts will involve fixed interest liability and
dependence upon outsiders. It may help in increasing the return on equity but will also enhance the
risk. The raising of funds through equity will bring permanent funds to the business but the
shareholders will expect higher rates of earnings. The financial manager has to strike a balance
between anxious sources so that the overall profitability of the concern improves. If the capital
structure is able to minimise the risk and raise the profitability then the market prices of the shares
will go up maximising the wealth of shareholders.

3. Dividend Decision
The third major financial decision relates to the disbursement of profits back to investors who
supplied capital to the firm. The term dividend refers to that part of profits of a company which is
distributed by it among its shareholders. It is the reward of shareholders for investments made by
them in the share capital of the company. The dividend decision is concerned with the quantum of
profits to be distributed among shareholders. A decision has to be taken whether ail the profits are to
be distributed, to retain all the profits in business or to keep a part of profits in the business and
distribute others among shareholders. The higher rate of dividend may raise the market price of
shares and thus, maximise the wealth of shareholders. The firm should also consider the question of
dividend stability, stock dividend (bonus shares) and cash dividend.

4. Liquidity Decisions
Liquidity and profitability are closely related. Obviously, liquidity and profitability goals conflict in
most of the decisions. The finance manager always perceives / faces the task of balancing liquidity
and profitability. The term liquidity implies the ability of the firm to meet bills and the firm’s cash
reserves to meet emergencies whereas profitability aims to achieve the goal of higher returns. As said
earlier, striking a proper balance between liquidity and profitability is a difficult task. Profitability
will be affected when all the bills are to be settled in advance. Similarly, liquidity will be affected if

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the funds are invested in short term or long term securities. That is the funds are inadequate to pay-
off its creditors. Lack of liquidity in extreme situations can lead to the firm’s insolvency.
Risk – Return Trade Off
Further where the company is desirous of mobilizing funds from outside sources, it is required to pay
interest at fixed period. Hence liquidity is reduced. A successful finance manager has to ensure
acceleration of cash receipts (cash inflows in to business) and deceleration of cash (cash outflows)
from the firm. Thus forecasting cash flows and managing cash flows are one of the important
functions a finance manager that will lead to liquidity. The finance manager is required to enhance
his professionalism and intelligence to ensure that return is optimized.

Return = Risk-free rate + Risk premium

Risk free rate is a compensation for time and risk premium for risk. Higher the risk of an action,
higher will be the risk premium leading to higher required return on that action. This levelling of
return and risk is known as risk return trade off. At this level, the market value of the company’s
shares should be the maximum. The diagram given below spells out the interrelationship between
market value, financial decisions and risk-return trade off.

Factors Influencing Financial Decisions

There are innumerable factors that influence the financial decision. They are classified as external
factors and internal factors.

External factors
Capital structure
Capital market and money market
State of economy
Requirements of investors
Government policy
Taxation policy
Financial institutions / banks lending policy
Internal factors
Nature of business
Age of the firm
Size of the business
Extent and trend of earnings
Liquidity position
Working capital requirements
Composition of assets
Nature of risk and expected return

WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Introduction
Effective financial management is concerned with the efficient use of important economic resources,
namely, capital funds. The capital funds can be used to invest in two forms like,

1. Fixed Assets

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A major portion of the capital funds used for investing in purchase of fixed assets for permanent or
long-term purposes, for the purpose of diversification, expansion of business, renovation or
modernization of plant and machinery and research and development and

2. Current Assets
Rest of the portion of funds needed for short-term purposes like investing into assets for current
operations of business is called working capital. For example, one who is managing a trading
business has to arrange funds regularly for, purchase of finished stock and keeping it in storeroom,
and also find suitable customer to go for sales. On the other hand if it is a manufacturing firm he has
to arrange for funds continuously for, buying raw materials, keeping it for some time in store, then
taking it for the process of converting into finished goods, and ultimately selling it to consumers.

Fixed Asset Investments Vs Current Asset Investments

Out of the two types of investments, investing in the current operations of the business is more
difficult and is a continuous process with more components of assets rather than the first case where
the investment is one time or long-term in the business process. Further, purchase of fixed assets can
only be by long-term sources of funds. But both long-term as well as short-term sources of funds are
used to finance current assets. If so, what is the ratio of both long-term and short-term sources? Even
if we decide the ratio, is it a fixed one? The answer is no. It is flexible on the basis of season like
operational cycle, production policy, credit term, growth and expansion, price level changes, etc.
Improper working capital management can lead to business failure. Many profitable companies fail
because their management team fails to manage the working capital properly. They may be
profitable, but they are not able to pay the bills. Therefore management of working capital is not very
easy and the financial manager takes very important role in it. Hence, the following guidelines
regarding concepts, components, types and determinants will be very useful to a financial manager.

Concepts of Working Capital

There are two concepts of working capital namely Gross concepts and Net concepts:

Gross Working Capital

According to this concept, whatever funds are invested are only in the current assets. This concept
expresses that working capital is an aggregate of current assets. The amount of current liabilities is
not deducted from the total current assets. This concept is also referred to as “Current Capital” or
“Circulating Capital”.

Net Working Capital

What is net working capital? The term net working capital can be defined in two ways: (1) The most
common definition of net working capital is the capital required for running day-to-day operations of
a business. It may be expressed as excess of current assets over current liabilities. 2) Net working
capital can alternatively be defined as a part of the current assets, which are financed with long-term
funds. For example, if the current asset is Rs. 100 and current liabilities is Rs. 75, and then it implies
Rs. 25 worth of current assets is financed by long-term funds such as capital, reserves and surplus,
term loans, debentures, etc. On the other hand, if the current liability is Rs. 100 and current assets is
Rs. 75, and then it implies Rs. 25 worth of short-terms funds is used for investing in the fixed assets.
This is known as negative working capital situation. This is not a favourable financial position. When
the current assets are equal to current liabilities, it implies that there is no net working capital. This
means no current asset is being financed by long-term funds.

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Net Working Capital = Current assets – Current liabilities.

Difference between gross and net working capital

Basis Gross concept of working capital Net concept of working capital
1.Meaning Gross concept of working capital refers Net concept of working capital refers
to the sum of the current assets to the difference between current
employed in the business for day-to-day assets and current liabilities. Excess
operations and for utilizing the fixed of current assets over current
assets at the optimum level. In this liabilities is net working capital.
concept the total of the current Current assets – Current liabilities
liabilities is not deducted from the total = Net Working Capital.
of current assets.
Components of current assets Current assets – Current liabilities
2.Components 1.Cash and bank balances, = Net Working Capital.
2.Sundry debtors and Current liabilities are
3. Bills receivables, 1.Creditors
4. Closing Stock of Finished Goods, 2. Bills payable,
Work-in-progress, Consumables stores, 3.Advance payment – received from
5.Short term Investments/Marketable customers,
Securities. 4.Outstanding - Salary, wages, sales
6.Prepaid expenses, tax, Excise duty, PPF, ESI
5. Bank Overdraft
6. Dividend and tax payable.
Generally, current assets are financed Net working capital is financed only
3.Financing by both long-term sources and short- by long-term sources.
term sources of funds. E.g. Share capital, Debtors, term
Long-term funds loans.
Current Assets
Short-term funds
E.g. Long-term sources:
Share capital, Debentures Term loans.
E.g. Short-term sources: Bank O.D.,
Cash Credit, Sundry creditors etc.,
Gross concept of working capital is Net working capital maybe positive
4.Sign always a positive figure. It never comes or negative. Positive figure gives the
Convention as a negative figure. In other words, company’s positive attitude.
without current assets a company Negative figure gives the company’s
cannot run. Hence, gross concept is poor financial position.
nothing but the sum of all current Positive
assets. Current Assets > Current Liabilities
Negative
Current Liabilities > Current Assets
5. Nature of It emphasizes only on quantitative The net working capital concept
Information nature. It never discloses the liquidity emphasizes on both the quantitative
positions. Gross working capital as well as qualitative nature, which
concept results in mismanagement of are more relevant for managerial
current assets. decision-making.
Current Ratio = Current Assets/

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Current Liabilities
Liquidity ratio = Liquid Assets/
Current Liabilities

What are Current Assets?

Assets, which can normally be converted into cash within a year or within the operating cycle,
are grouped as current assets. In other words, current assets are resources that are in cash or will
soon be converted into cash in ‘the ordinary course of businesses. The current asset components
are assets like cash, temporary investments, raw materials, work in progress, accounts receivables
(sundry debtors/ trade receivables/ bills receivables) and prepaid expenses.

What are Current Liabilities?

Liabilities, which are due for payment in the short-run, are classified as current liabilities. In
other words, these liabilities are due within the accounting period or the operating cycle of the
business. Most of such liabilities are incurred in the acquisition of materials or services forming
part of the current assets. Current liabilities are commitments, which will soon require cash
settlement in ‘the ordinary course of business’. The current liability components are liabilities
like accounts payable (sundry creditors/ bills payables/ trade payables), accrued liabilities
(wages, salary, and rents), and estimated liabilities (income tax payable and dividend payable).

Difference between fixed assets and current assets

FIXED ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS

1.Significance Any resources that can be used to Any asset that is convertible or
generate revenue are called fixed realizable into cash within a year or
assets. They are acquired for the one manufacturing cycle,
purpose of increasing the whichever is high, is called current
revenues and not for resale. assets.
Eg. Land, building, plant and
machinery, furniture, fixtures, etc.
2. Nature These assets are permanent in In contrast to fixed assets, the
nature. Life of these assets is current assets are short-term in
usually more than one year. nature. The life of the assets is
Life of Assets Limited E.g.: usually less than one year.
Furniture, Building, Plant and
machinery Unlimited E.g.: Land
3. Earnings Basically these are the assets Circulating the current assets
which determine the future determines the current earnings /
earnings / profits of the firm. profit of the firm. Earnings from
Benefits from fixed assets are current assets are direct rather than
indirect rather than direct. indirect.
Fixed assets = Cost of goods sold Current assets = Cost of goods sold
turnover Fixed Assets turnover Average Current
Assets
4. Nature of It is a capital expenditure. The It is revenue expenditure. These
expenditure assets that are purchased through items are debited to trading account
capital expenditure are shown in or profit and loss account.
the Balance sheet on the assets

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side.

5. Nature of These assets are financed by These assets are financed by both
financing mainly long-term sources like long-term funds and short-term
share capital, debentures, term funds. Usually in a firm, which has
loans, etc. A company’s fixed good liquidity position, 20% to
assets can never be financed by 25% of current assets must be
short-term funds. If it is so, the financed by long-term funds. The
company’s liquidity position remaining assets are financed by
becomes very bad. In that case short-term funds like sundry
current ratio must be less than creditors, outstanding expenses,
one. bank overdraft, cash credit, etc

6. Components These assets may be tangible or Current assets are always tangible.
intangible. Tangible assets have But for the management purpose
physical existence and generate these assets are divided into
goods and services (Land, permanent current assets, and
building, plant and machinery fluctuating current assets and liquid
furniture). They are used for the assets. Permanent current asset are
production of goods and services. financed by long-term sources.
They are shown in the Balance Fluctuating current asset are
sheet in accordance with the cost financed by short-term sources.
concept. An asset, which cannot Liquid assets refer to current assets
be seen with our naked eye and which can be converted into cash
does not have any physical immediately or at a short notice
existence, is called an intangible without diminution of value.
assets, goodwill, patents, trade
mark etc. Patents leads to
invention, copy writes lead to
scale of literacy and trade mark
represents use of certain symbols.
7. Depreciation Cost of these assets is spread over Cost of these assets is charged, in
their useful life. This is known as the income statement of the year in
depreciation or expired cost. which it is incurred. Their life is
Deprecation is provided due to very short and usually less than one
wear and tear or lapse of time. As year. Therefore provision for
a result of charging deprecation of depreciation of current assets does
fixed cost, the value of the fixed not arise
assets decline every
year.
Cost of fixed asset minus
Depreciation = Book Value
Expired cost Unexpired cost
8. Cost Cost of the fixed assets includes Cost of the current assets includes
components actual purchase price plus fright purchase price plus transport
charges plus erection and charges. erection and installation
installation charges. charges do not arise.

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Types of working capital

Working capital can be divided into two categories on the basis of time:
1. Permanent, fixed or regular working capital,
2. Temporary, variable, fluctuating, seasonal or specified working capital.

Permanent working capital

This refers to minimum amount of investment required in all current assets at all times to
carryout minimum level of activity. In other words, it represents the current assets required over
the entire life of the business. Tandon committee has referred to this type of working capital as
‘Core current assets’ or ‘Hard-core working capital’.

The need for investment in current assets may increase or decrease over a period of time
according to the level of production. Some amount of permanent working capital remains in the
business in one form or another. This is particularly important from the point of view of
financing. Tandon Committee has pointed out that this type of core current assets should be
financed through long-term sources like capital, reserves and surplus, preference share capital,
term loans, debentures, etc.
Leader in two-wheelers Hero Honda Ltd. and in four-wheelers MaruthiUdyog Ltd.
keeping their model in each type in their showrooms are typical examples of permanent
working capital.

Temporary Working Capital

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Depending upon the production and sales, the need for working capital over and above
permanent working capital will change. The changing working capital may also vary on
account of seasonal changes or price level changes or unanticipated conditions. For example,
raising the prices of materials, labour rate and other expenses may lead to an increase in the
amount of funds invested in the stock of raw materials, work-in-progress as well as in finished
goods. Sometimes additional working capital may be required to face the cut-throat
competition in the market. Sometimes when the company is planning for special
advertisement campaigns organised for promotional activities or increasing the sales,
additional working capital may have to be financed. All these extra capital needed to support
the changing business activities are called temporary, fluctuating or variable working capital.
Determination of working capital requirements
There are no uniform rules or formulae to determine the working capital requirements in a
firm. A firm should not plan its working capital neither too much nor too low. If it is too high
it will affect profits. On the other hand if it is too low, it will have liquidity problems. The
total working capital requirements is determined by a wide variety of factors. They also vary
from time to time. Among the various factors, the following are necessary.

1. Nature of business

The working capital requirements of an organization are basically influenced by the nature of
its business. The trading and financial institutions require more working capital rather than
fixed assets because these firms usually keep more varieties of stock to satisfy the varied
demands of their customers. The public utility service organisations require more fixed assets
rather than working capital because they have cash sales only and they supply only services
and not products. Thus, the amounts tied up with stock and debtors are almost zero. Generally,
manufacturing business needs,more fixed assets rather than working capital. Further, the
working capital requirements also depend on the seasonal products.

2. Size of the business

Another important factor is the size of the business. Size of the business means scale of
operation. If the operation is on a large scale, it will need more working capital than a firm
that has a small-scale operation.

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3. Operating cycle
The term “production cycle” or “manufacturing cycle” refers to the time involvement from
cash to purchase of raw materials and completion of finished goods and receipt of cash from
sales. If the operating cycle requires a longer time span between cash to cash, the requirement of
working capital will be more because of larger tie up of funds in all the processes. If there is any
delay in a particular process of sales or collection there will be further increase in the working
capital requirements. A distillery is to make a relatively heavy investment in working capital. A
bakery will have a low working capital.
Wages, salary, fuel Creation of A/c payable Debtors Finished goods Work in progress Purchase
of raw materials Bills receivable Cash

Where
O = Duration of operating cycle
R = Raw material average storage period
W = Average period of work-in-progress
F = Finished goods average storage period
D = Debtors Collection period
C = Creditors payment period

4. Production policy The requirementsof working capital are also determined

by production policy. When the demand for the product is seasonal, inventory must be accumulated
during the off-season period and this leads to more cost and risks. These firms, which manufacture
variety of goods, will have advantages of keeping low working capital by adjusting the production
according to season.

5. Turnover of Working capital The speed of working capital is also influenced by the
requirements of working capital. If the turnover is high, the requirement of working capital is low
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and vice versa.

Working Capital Turnover = Cost of goods sold / Working capital

6. Credit Terms The level of working capital is also determined by credit terms, which is granted to
customers as well as available from its creditors. More credit period allowed to debtors will result in
high book debts, which leads to high working capital and more bad debts. On the other hand liberal
credit terms available from creditors will lead to less working capital.

7. Growth and Expansion As a company grows and expands logically, it requires a larger amount
of working capital. Other things remaining same, growing industries need more working capital than
those that are static.

8. Price level changes Rising prices would necessitate the organization to have more funds for
maintaining the same level of activities. Raising the prices in material, labour and expenses without
proportionate changes in selling price will require more working capital. When a company raises its
selling prices proportionally there will be no serious problem in the working capital.

9. Operating efficiency Though the company cannot control the rising price in material, labour and
expenses, it can make use of the assets at a maximum utilisation with reduced wastage and better
coordination so that the requirement of working capital is minimised.

10. Other factors

Level of taxes: In this respect the management has no option. If the government increases the tax
liability very often, taxes have to be paid in advance on the basis of the profit on the current year and
this will need more working capital.
Dividend policy: Availability of working capital will decrease if it has a high dividend payout ratio.
Conversely, if the firm retains all the profits without dividend, the availability of working capital
will increase. In practice, although many firms earn profit, they do not declare dividend to augment
the working capital.

Significance of Working Capital

The basic objective of financial management is to maximize the shareholders’ wealth. This is

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possible only when the company increases the profit. Higher profits are possible only by way of
increasing sales. However sales do not convert into cash instantaneously. So some amount of funds
is required to meet the time gap arrangement in order to sustain the sales activity, which is known as
working capital. In case adequate working capital is not available for this period, the company will
not be in a position to sustain stocks as it is not in a position to purchase raw materials, pay wages
and other expenses required for manufacturing goods to be sold. Working capital, thus, is a life-
blood of a business. As a matter of fact, any organization, whether profit oriented or otherwise, will
not be able to carry on day-to-day activities without adequate working capital.

Problems of inadequate working capital

Proper management of working capital is very important for the success of an enterprise. It should
be neither large nor small, but at the optimum level. In case of inadequate working capital, a
business may suffer the following problems.

1. Purchase of Raw Materials Availing the cash discount from the suppliers (creditors) or on
favourable credit terms may not be available from creditors due to shortage of funds. For e.g. This
situation arises when the suppliers supply the goods on two months credit allowing 5% cash
discount, if it is payable within the 30 days.
In the above situation, if a person buys material for Rs. 10,000 by availing the cash discount, he has
to pay only Rs. 9500 [10,000 – 500]. This is possible only with the help of adequate working capital.

2. Credit Rating When the financial crisis continues due to shortage of funds [working capital], the
credit worthiness of the company may be lost, resulting in poor credit rating. E.g. a company is
having the liquid assets of Rs 20,000, current assets of Rs 30,000 and current liabilities of Rs
40,000. From the above data we can determine the short-term solvency with the help of the
following ratios 1. Liquid ratio 0.50 and 2. Current ratio 0.75.
The standard ratios are 1:1 and 2:1 for liquidity ratio and current ratio respectively. But seeing the
above ratios, it shows that the short-term solvency is very poor. This clearly shows that the company
is not in a position to repay the short-term debt. This is due to inadequate working capital.
3. Seizing Business Opportunity Due to lack of adequate working capital, the company is not in a
position to avail business opportunity during boom period by increasing the production. This will
result in loss of opportunity profit. E.g. During boom or seasonal period, generally the company will
be getting more contribution per unit by accepting special orders or by increasing the production,
matching with high demand. This opportunity can be availed only if it is having sufficient amount of
working capital.
4. Duration of Operating Cycle The duration of operating cycle is to be extended due to
inadequate working capital. E.g. If the company’s duration of operating cycle is 45 days when a
company is having sufficient amount of working capital, due to delay in getting the material from
the suppliers and delay in the production process, it will have to extend the duration of operating
cycle. Consequently, this results in low turnover and low profit.
5. Maintenance of plant and machinery Due to lack of adequate working capital, plant and
machinery and fixed assets cannot be repaired, renovated, maintained or modernized in an
appropriate time. This results in non-utilisation of fixed assets. Moreover, inadequate cash and bank
balances will curtail production facilities. Consequently, it leads to low fixed assets turnover ratio.
E.g. Cost of goods sold is Rs 2,40,000 fixed assets is Rs 60,000 and average industrial fixed assets
turnover ratio is 10 times.

When industrial average ratio is 10 times and the actual turnover ratio is 4 times, it is understood

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that the fixed assets are not utilized to the maximum.

6. Higher Interest In order to account for the emergency working capital fund, the company has to
pay higher rate of interest for arranging either short-term or long-term loans.
7. Low Return on Investment (ROI) Inadequate working capital will reduce the working capital
turnover, which results in low return on investment.
8.Liquidity verses profitability Inadequate working capital may result in stock out of cost, reduced
sales, loss of future sales, loss of customers, and loss of goodwill, down time cost, idle labour, idle
production and finally results in lower profitability.
9. Dividend policy A study of dividend policy cannot be possible unless and otherwise the
organization has sufficient available funds.
In the absence of proper planning and control, the company’s inadequate working capital will cause
the above said problems.

Operating Cycle
The time gap between purchase of inventory and converting the material into cash is known as
operating cycle. The management attempts to decrease the duration of operating cycle during
inflation.

Turnover
Turnover ratio indicates how the capitals are effectively used in order to increase the sales during
the purchase period. By increasing the rate of rotation there will be an increase in sales which in turn
will increase the profit.
Sales
Turnover ratio = -------------------------
Capital employed
Improvement of turnover includes improvement in fixed assets turnover ratio and working capital
turnover ratio, which are elements of the capital employed.

Capital employed = Fixed assets + working capital.

Creditors’ Turnover Ratio

It indicates the speed with which the payments are made to credit purchases. This can be computed
as follows:

Average Creditors
Creditors payment period = ------------------------ x 365
Credit purchase
Higher creditors’ turnover ratio with a lower payment period shows that the creditors are paid
promptly or even earlier. During inflation the company with help of bargaining power and good
relation they can ask to increase the payment period, trade discount, cash discount, etc.

Stock turnover ratio

A low stock turnover ratio may indicate a slow moving inventory suffering from low sales
force. On the contrary, higher stock turnoverratio shows better performance of the company. Under
this situation the company may keep relatively small amount of funds as resources. Thus during
inflation the company tries to keep high stock turnover ratio.
Cost of goods sold
Stock turnover ratio = --------------------------
Average stock
This should be more during inflation than the ordinary period.
Debtors’ Turnover

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Debtors constitute an important component of the working capital and therefore the quality of
debtors to a great extent determines the liquidity position during inflation. A higher ratio gives a
lower collection period and a low ratio gives a longer collection period. During inflation, the
management tries to keep a high turnover ratio.
OtherFactors
The management can try to decrease the overhead expenses like administrative, selling and
distributing expenses. Further the management should be very careful in sanctioning any new
expenditure belonging to the cost areas. The managers should match the cash inflow with cash
outflow for future period through cash budgeting.

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