Hercules Wholesalers Ltd has been particularly concerned with its liquidity position in recent…

Hercules Wholesalers Ltd has been particularly concerned with its liquidity position in recent months. The most recent Profit and Loss Account and Balance Sheet of the company are as follows:

The debtors and creditors were maintained at a constant level throughout the year.

Required

(a) Explain why Hercules Wholesalers Ltd is concerned with its liquidity position.

(b) Explain the term ‘operating cash cycle’ and state why this concept is important in the financial management of a business.

(c) Calculate the operating cash cycle for Hercules Wholesalers Ltd based on the information above. (Assume a 360-day year.)

 (d) State what steps may be taken to improve the operating cash cycle of the company.