Glossary

Working capital

Updated 3 September 2026By Santiago Viglione

Formula

Working capital = Current assets − Current liabilities

Working capital is current assets minus current liabilities. It represents the cash a business needs tied up to operate day to day, and its change explains the difference between profit and cash in a period.

How it is calculated

Working capital = Current assets − Current liabilities. In management analysis the operating version is used: Receivables + Inventory − Payables, excluding cash and financial debt. The full definition is under net working capital.

Example with numbers

Current assets 1,100,000 (cash 300,000, receivables 600,000, inventory 200,000). Current liabilities 500,000 (payables 300,000, short-term debt 200,000). Working capital: 600,000. Operating working capital, excluding cash and debt: 600,000 + 200,000 − 300,000 = 500,000.

How Fibady does it

The consolidated balance sheet is recalculated with every ERP sync, and working capital appears as a subtotal in the unlimited-level P&L and balance sheet, in each entity's currency and in the group's. Its change flows into the indirect cash flow without intermediate spreadsheets.

Related content

Frequently asked questions

Yes, in everyday use. Net working capital is the more precise name for the same calculation; see the dedicated entry for the operating version.

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