Working Capital Turnover Ratio:

Definition:

Working capital turnover ratio indicates the velocity of the utilization of net working capital.
This ratio represents the number of times the working capital is turned over in the course of year and is calculated as follows:

Formula of Working Capital Turnover Ratio:

Following formula is used to calculate working capital turnover ratio

Working Capital Turnover Ratio = Cost of Sales / Net Working Capital

The two components of the ratio are cost of sales and the net working capital. If the information about cost of sales is not available the figure of sales may be taken as the numerator. Net working capital is found by deduction from the total of the current assets the total of the current liabilities.

Example:

Cash Bills Receivables Sundry Debtors Stock Sundry Creditors Cost of sales

10,000 5,000 25,000 20,000 30,000 150,000

Calculate working capital turnover ratio

Calculation:

Working Capital Turnover Ratio = Cost of Sales / Net Working Capital

Current Assets = $10,000 + $5,000 + $25,000 + $20,000 = $60,000

Current Liabilities = $30,000

Net Working Capital = Current assets – Current liabilities

= $60,000 − $30,000

= $30,000

So the working Capital Turnover Ratio = 150,000 / 30,000

= 5 times

Significance:

The working capital turnover ratio measure the efficiency with which the working capital is being used by a firm. A high ratio indicates efficient utilization of working capital and a low ratio indicates otherwise. But a very high working capital turnover ratio may also mean lack of sufficient working capital which is not a good situation.