Question

Difficulty: EasyCapital Structure Calculations (Working Capital, Capital Employed, Capital Owned)

Mrs. Bello, a sole trader, presents the following financial balances at the end of the accounting period:

- Stock of goods: 120,000\text{₦}120,000
- Trade debtors: 50,000\text{₦}50,000
- Cash at bank: 30,000\text{₦}30,000
- Trade creditors: 60,000\text{₦}60,000
- Accrued wages: 15,000\text{₦}15,000

What is the net working capital of the business?

  1. 125,000\text{₦}125,000Answer
  2. B
    140,000\text{₦}140,000
  3. C
    200,000\text{₦}200,000
  4. D
    275,000\text{₦}275,000

Answer

The net working capital of the business is 125,000\text{₦}125,000.
Working capital is calculated as Current Assets minus Current Liabilities. Summing stock (₦120,000), debtors (₦50,000), and cash (₦30,000) yields ₦200,000 in current assets. Summing creditors (₦60,000) and accrued wages (₦15,000) yields ₦75,000 in current liabilities. Subtracting ₦75,000 from ₦200,000 gives ₦125,000.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate Total Current Assets
Total Current Assets=Stock+Debtors+Cash at bank=120,000+50,000+30,000=200,000\text{Total Current Assets} = \text{Stock} + \text{Debtors} + \text{Cash at bank} = \text{₦}120,000 + \text{₦}50,000 + \text{₦}30,000 = \text{₦}200,000
Current assets consist of short-term assets convertible to cash within one financial year.
2
Calculate Total Current Liabilities
Total Current Liabilities=Creditors+Accrued wages=60,000+15,000=75,000\text{Total Current Liabilities} = \text{Creditors} + \text{Accrued wages} = \text{₦}60,000 + \text{₦}15,000 = \text{₦}75,000
Current liabilities include short-term obligations payable within the accounting year.
3
Apply the Working Capital Formula
Working Capital=Current AssetsCurrent Liabilities=200,00075,000=125,000\text{Working Capital} = \text{Current Assets} - \text{Current Liabilities} = \text{₦}200,000 - \text{₦}75,000 = \text{₦}125,000
Net working capital measures the operational liquidity available to run daily business activities.

Key Concept

Working Capital Formula
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