Vaultern
Working Capital Optimization
Working Capital Optimization

More cash available — from within your existing operations

Your receivables, payables, and inventory cycles likely hold more liquidity than you realize. We find it, measure it, and give you a clear path to releasing it — without adding debt or giving up equity.

What this engagement delivers

At the end of a Working Capital Optimization engagement, you receive a detailed report with benchmarking data, specific adjustments to collection timelines and payment terms, and a prioritized action plan your team can move on immediately.

Cash unlocked from existing cycles

Improvements to collection timing, supplier payment terms, and inventory turnover that increase available cash — using what's already in the business.

Industry benchmarking included

Your cycles measured against comparable businesses — so you can see clearly where you're in line with the market and where you have room to improve.

Prioritized, actionable steps

Recommendations ordered by impact and ease of implementation — so your team knows where to focus first and what to tackle after.

Profitable businesses still run tight on cash

It's one of the more disorienting experiences in business — a solid quarter on paper, but cash feels constrained. The income statement looks fine; the bank account tells a different story.

This disconnect almost always traces back to working capital. Customers paying slowly. Inventory sitting longer than it should. Payment terms with suppliers that don't align well with your collection cycle. None of these are unusual — but collectively, they can tie up a significant amount of cash that should be available to the business.

The instinct is often to reach for external financing. But in many cases, the cash needed is already inside the business — just not moving efficiently enough.

Collections that trail invoice dates

Customers taking longer to pay than your terms allow — sometimes by design, often just through inertia — creates a persistent drag on available cash.

Inventory that accumulates faster than it moves

Stock held longer than necessary ties up cash that could be working elsewhere — and the opportunity cost is often invisible until it's measured.

Payment terms that don't match your cycle

Paying suppliers quickly while collecting slowly creates a structural gap — one that often has practical solutions once it's clearly identified.

Our approach to working capital analysis

We examine the three core components of your working capital cycle — receivables, payables, and inventory — and look at how each is performing relative to your business model and industry context.

Accounts Receivable

We measure your days sales outstanding, compare it to industry benchmarks, and identify which customers or invoice categories are creating the most drag. Then we propose collection process adjustments that protect relationships while improving timing.

Accounts Payable

We look at your current payment terms with suppliers and evaluate whether extending payment windows is practical — balancing cash benefit against supplier relationship risk and any early-payment discount value.

Inventory

For businesses carrying inventory, we analyze turnover rates by category and identify holding patterns that tie up capital unnecessarily — with practical adjustments to reorder points and stock levels.

The output is a working capital report

Benchmarking data across all three components, a quantified estimate of cash tied up in each area, and a prioritized action plan with specific adjustments your team can implement — in order of impact.

What working together looks like

The engagement is designed to be practical. We don't need to sit inside your business for weeks — a focused data collection phase, a period of analysis, and a clear delivery session covers everything.

The recommendations we provide are grounded in your actual supplier and customer relationships. We're not proposing abstract adjustments — every action item takes into account the practical dynamics of who you work with and how.

After delivery, we're available to talk through implementation questions. Working capital changes sometimes require a conversation with a supplier or a shift in your billing process — we can help you think through how to approach those.

1

Data collection

We request your AR aging, AP schedule, and inventory data — plus supplier terms and current collection policies. This typically takes a few days.

2

Cycle analysis and benchmarking

We analyze each component against benchmarks and quantify where cash is being held — building the full picture of your working capital position.

3

Report and action plan delivered

A comprehensive written report with findings, benchmarking data, and a prioritized list of specific adjustments — presented in a walkthrough session with your team.

4

Implementation support

We're available to answer questions as your team begins acting on the recommendations — particularly around supplier conversations or process changes.

The investment

One fee, clearly defined scope, no add-ons.

Working Capital Optimization

$2,800 USD

One-time project fee

Start the Conversation

What's included

Full AR, AP, and inventory cycle analysis

Days outstanding measurement and benchmarking

Payment terms assessment and optimization options

Inventory turnover analysis (where applicable)

Cash quantified per improvement area

Working capital report with industry benchmarks

Prioritized action plan with implementation steps

Walkthrough session and post-delivery support

Payment timing can be discussed if splitting the fee across milestones is helpful for your situation.

How we measure progress

Working capital improvements show up in the numbers over time — and we build the analysis so you can track progress against the baseline we established together.

DSO

Days Sales Outstanding — the primary measure of collection efficiency we track and benchmark against your industry

DPO

Days Payable Outstanding — evaluated alongside supplier relationship considerations to find the right balance

CCC

Cash Conversion Cycle — the combined measure that shows how quickly your business turns operations into available cash

Realistic timeline for seeing results

Weeks 1–3

Analysis and report delivered. Team understands the current position, what's holding cash, and what to do first.

Month 1–2

First adjustments implemented — typically collection process changes and a supplier conversation or two. Early DSO movement visible.

Month 3+

Full cycle improvements begin to show in available cash. CCC tracking confirms progress against the baseline established in the report.

Our commitment to the work

The report we deliver should reflect your actual working capital situation — specific to your customers, suppliers, and inventory profile. If something doesn't feel grounded in your reality, we want to hear it and we'll revise until it does.

We also want the engagement to be useful, not just thorough. Recommendations that can't be implemented aren't recommendations — they're observations. We aim to give you things your team can actually act on.

If the initial conversation makes it clear that working capital isn't the right starting point for your situation, we'll say so — and point you toward what might be more helpful first.

How to get started

A straightforward process. No long sales cycle, no complicated onboarding requirements.

1

Send a message

Use the contact form to describe what you're working with — cash feeling tight despite solid revenue, collection delays, or anything related to working capital.

2

A focused conversation

We'll discuss your business, confirm that this service fits your situation, and agree on data requirements and timing. Usually 30–45 minutes.

3

Analysis begins

Once we have the data, we get to work. Report and action plan are typically delivered within three weeks of project start.

Ready to find the cash already in your business?

Get in touch and we'll have an honest conversation about whether Working Capital Optimization is the right starting point for your situation.

Get in Touch

Explore other services

Many clients combine working capital analysis with forecasting or treasury planning.

From $2,000 USD

Cash Flow Forecasting

Weekly, monthly, and quarterly projections built from your historical patterns and scheduled obligations — delivered as an interactive model.

Learn More

From $3,500 USD

Treasury & Liquidity Planning

Strategic advisory on cash reserves, short-term investments, and borrowing facilities with structured quarterly review cycles.

Learn More