CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Working Capital is the investment at the firm in short-term or current assets, which include cash, account receivable, marketable securities, short-term note receivables, inventories and some expense prepayments. A portion of the investment in current assets is financed by current liabilities such as short-term note payable to banks. Income tax liabilities advances by customers and account payable. Therefore, networking is that portion of current assets financed by long term debt and equity sources. The liquidity position of many firms is of fundamental importance. Hence, the importance of working capital management and its operations thus become relevant in the growth and success of any organization management policies and decisions are made due consideration of its working capital position. Organization faces a lot of shortcomings in it operation, if working capital is not given full consideration.
Inadequate working capital hinders the success of any organization. This is because it affects the daily operational activities, which directly affect the efficiency rate. Inadequate cash for marketable securities brought about deficiency in investment and revenue generation for the organization. Inventories are often being short in supply if there is insufficient cash for the daily operation of the organization which will affect the productivity. If there is inadequate working equipment in the organization, it discourage employee from being performing their official assignment. The concept of working capital as a tool in financial analysis has long been recognized for instance, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant (AICPA) in 1936 officially recognized the importance of working capital to the creditor. As a rule, a creditor is more particularly interested in the liquidity of enterprises the nature and adequacy of its working capital, hence the details of this current asset and current liabilities.
Lastly by definitions, in reality and fact working capital is not statistic of fixed figure, it changes continuously as its constitutes are turned over and over again. Often several times within a particular financial year. The crucial importance of working capital has fact, that it is used to finance production inventories and also provide credit to customers. Therefore, the availability of sufficient working capital is very vital to successful running of any business.