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Working capital

Debtor concentration

Define debtor concentration, reconcile its inputs and test its effect before approving or documenting the transaction position.

Quick answer

Debtor concentration is a defined transaction concept used to structure, assess, document or monitor a decision in working capital. In the recorded glossary contexts, teams use it to size liquidity needs and control the conversion of receivables, inventory and payables into cash.

Use the worked example

Meaning and transaction use

The first source provides an institutional framework relevant to working capital. This page applies that framework to debtor concentration without treating the source as a universal contractual definition. [S1]

The second source supplies additional transaction or disclosure context. Its examples remain source-specific and require reconciliation to the actual facts and governing documents. [S2]

Proposed review method: record how debtor concentration is defined in working-capital borrowing, working-capital lending; identify the owner, source inputs, decision rule, approval, dependencies and monitoring evidence; then reconcile the same definition across the model, committee paper and transaction documents.

Worked example

Illustrative debtor concentration review calculation only. All figures are hypothetical.

Scroll the table horizontally to view all columns.

MeasureCalculationResult
InventoryGiven40.0m
ReceivablesGiven30.0m
PayablesGiven25.0m
Net working capital40.0 + 30.0 - 25.045.0m

The illustrative net working-capital balance is 45.0m.

Proposed transaction review process

Define the decision

State the decision involving debtor concentration, the relevant contexts and the required approval.

Reconcile evidence

Tie every material input to a dated source, owner and definition.

Test scenarios

Run the base case and the relevant downside, timing and counterparty cases.

Document and monitor

Reflect the approved position in the transaction record and monitor conditions through execution.

Evidence checklist

Governing documents

Executed or proposed terms that define debtor concentration, including amendments and schedules.

Financial evidence

Reconciled historical data, forecast inputs, calculations and sensitivity outputs.

Diligence record

Source documents, specialist advice, open issues and responsible owners.

Decision record

Options considered, approval, conditions, implementation steps and monitoring dates.

Decision framework

SituationProposed action
Definitions differReconcile the model, committee paper and governing documents before approval.
Evidence is incompleteHold the conclusion and request the missing source record.
The downside case failsResize, restructure, mitigate or decline the proposed position.
Terms or facts changeRefresh the analysis, approvals and execution record.

Common errors to check

  • Using an undefined label or inherited assumption as evidence.
  • Applying another transaction's percentage, threshold or timetable without support.
  • Ignoring downside timing, liquidity, counterparty or implementation effects.
  • Leaving the approved position inconsistent across models, papers and documents.

Build the debtor concentration decision file

Bring the governing documents, reconciled inputs, assumptions and decision questions to a structured transaction review.

Discuss the transaction

Primary references and editorial scope

  1. CFA Institute: A Look at the Cash Conversion Cycle
    Cash-conversion-cycle components and working-capital interpretation. Reference checked 18 September 2026.
  2. BDC: Preparing your finances for an economic slowdown
    Liquidity, cash-flow and working-capital preparation. Reference checked 18 September 2026.
Editorial qualification

General working capital education using public sources. Figures are hypothetical. The actual treatment of debtor concentration depends on the facts, executed documents, jurisdiction and qualified legal, tax, accounting, regulatory or technical advice.

General business information. Obtain advice appropriate to the legal, tax, accounting and financing facts. No offer, lender commitment or transaction outcome is represented. All worked examples use expressly assumed figures. Editorial draft date: 17 September 2026.

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