The cash conversion cycle (CCC) is a measure of how long it takes a company to turn its investments in inventory and other current assets into cash. It is calculated by adding the number of days it takes to sell inventory (inventory conversion period) to the number of days it takes to collect accounts receivable (receivables conversion period) and then subtracting the number of days the company takes to pay its bills (payables deferral period). The formula for CCC is:
CCC = Inventory conversion period + Receivables conversion period - Payables deferral period
A company's CCC can have a significant impact on its financial performance. A shorter CCC means that the company is able to generate cash more quickly, which can improve its liquidity and financial stability. A longer CCC, on the other hand, can tie up cash and increase the risk of financial difficulties.
There are several strategies that companies can use to manage their CCC effectively. These include:
- Maintaining lean inventory levels: This can help reduce the inventory conversion period and shorten the CCC.
- Implementing efficient credit and collections processes: This can help speed up the receivables conversion period and shorten the CCC.
- Negotiating favorable payment terms with suppliers: This can help increase the payables deferral period and lengthen the CCC.
- Using financial tools such as lines of credit or monetizing receivables: These can help a company manage its short-term cash needs and maintain financial stability.
Overall, managing the CCC effectively can help a company improve its financial performance by ensuring that it has the resources it needs to meet its short-term obligations and operate efficiently.
Qube added value
- Qube Financing (and its affiliates) have developed the Qube platform, supported by its proprietary PRI® inside infrastructure, front-end to back-end fully automated receivables financing platform (“Qube Platform”), as one of the earlier Fintech 3.0 initiatives in the market and is fully equipped to be the winning platform of the third wave.
- This Qube Platform is fully operational and has been fully adopted by institutional investors, including the standardized procedures, ‘modus operandi’ and underwriting process steps & criteria.
- Qube targets European SME and Mid Market Corporates with a fully standardized approach as well as tailored solutions for multinationals, predefined underwriting criteria that are agreed with institutional investors and supported by PRI® inside and the add-on credit & collection management application PRI® CrediSoft and PRI® Supply Chain.
- Offering consolidated multi jurisdictions multi operating companies fully automated working capital financing solutions based on invoiced turnover, whereby PRI® inside directly interfaces with the Corporate's ERP systems, the Connection.
- The Qube Platform benefits from a modular design and standardized processes and legal infrastructure.
- US version of PRI® infrastructure can be calibrated for US time zone and jurisdiction.