The correct answer is A) Current assets.

Why “Current Assets” is the Correct Answer:

Working capital management primarily concerns the management and financing of current assets. Current assets are a key component of a company’s balance sheet, representing assets that are expected to be converted into cash or used up within one year or one operating cycle, whichever is longer. Here’s a detailed explanation of why “Current Assets” is the correct choice:

1. Definition of Working Capital:

Working capital is defined as the difference between current assets and current liabilities. Mathematically, it can be expressed as:

$WorkingCapital=CurrentAssets-CurrentLiabilities$

Therefore, working capital management inherently involves the management of current assets, as they constitute one of the two components of working capital.

2. Nature of Current Assets:

Current assets include items such as cash, accounts receivable, inventory, and short-term investments. These assets are typically highly liquid and are crucial for the day-to-day operations of a business. Managing them effectively ensures that a company has the necessary resources to meet its short-term obligations and continue its operations.

3. Optimizing Current Asset Levels:

Working capital management aims to strike a balance between maintaining an adequate level of current assets to support business operations and avoiding excessive holding of current assets, which can tie up capital unnecessarily. The goal is to optimize the level of current assets to minimize financing costs while ensuring liquidity.

4. Financing Current Assets:

Managing current assets also involves determining how to finance them. Companies must decide whether to use internal funds (such as retained earnings) or external sources (like short-term loans or lines of credit) to support their current asset requirements. The financing decision is a critical part of working capital management.

5. Cash Flow Management:

Effective working capital management includes managing cash flows related to current assets. This entails monitoring cash receipts from customers (accounts receivable) and managing cash disbursements for items like inventory and operating expenses. Maintaining a healthy cash flow is essential for business continuity.

Why the Other Options Are Not Correct:

B) Current Assets and Current Liabilities:

This option is not the most precise choice because working capital management is primarily concerned with current assets rather than both current assets and current liabilities. While working capital does involve the difference between current assets and current liabilities, the focus is primarily on managing the components that make up current assets and determining how they are financed.

C) Receivables and Payables:

While accounts receivable (receivables) and accounts payable (payables) are important components of current assets and current liabilities, respectively, they are not the sole focus of working capital management.

Working capital management encompasses a broader set of current assets, such as cash and inventory, and considers how these assets are managed and financed in addition to receivables and payables.

D) Cash and Inventory Only:

This option is too narrow in scope because it only addresses two specific current assets: cash and inventory. Working capital management encompasses a more comprehensive range of current assets, including not only cash and inventory but also accounts receivable and short-term investments, among others.

Therefore, this option does not accurately represent the full scope of working capital management.

In summary, working capital management primarily revolves around the management and financing of current assets, which are essential for a company’s day-to-day operations and liquidity.

While current liabilities are also a part of the working capital equation, the primary focus is on optimizing the levels of current assets, determining their financing sources, and managing their cash flows to ensure the company’s financial health and operational efficiency.