Working capital management a top
priority for many executives in year
ahead
Deloitte poll results from November 2021

Working capital management a top priority for many executives in year ahead
Copyright © 2022 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.
1,700+
Methodology
C-suite and other executives were polled
online during a Deloitte webcast titled
“Working capital roundup: A resilient
response Q1-20 to Q2-21” on Nov. 16, 2021.
Answer rates differed by question. A similar
online poll was conducted in July 2020.
In some instances, immaterial amounts (e.g., +/-
0.1%) have been added to or removed from the
“Don’t know/not applicable” answer responses to
bring results to 100% total for each question.

Working capital management a top priority for many executives in year ahead
Copyright © 2022 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.
Crisis mode -- Still working
to improve liquidity strains,
accounts receivable delays,
inventory stockpiles, remote
workforce needs, forecast
for financials, etc.
Recovery mode --
Beginning to see liquidity
unlock, gaining visibility
and control into cash
outflows, collections
strategies develop, and
sales and operations
plans are starting to
improve
Stabilization mode --
Stability established for
liquidity, cash leakage
reductions, cost-
reduction opportunity
identification, and
inventory strategies
Growth mode -- Capital
unlocked for investment,
cash-flow predictability
achieved, cost reductions
realized, and adapted and
improved financial
forecasting established.
Don’t know / not applicable = 16.7% in Nov. 2021; 10.5% in July 2020
Which best describes your organization’s current state, following COVID-19
disruptions?
Votes received 2,212 in Nov. 2021; 1,519 in July 2020
11.1%
22.3%
42.9%
13.2%
5.4%
14.0%
30.4%
33.5%
2020 2021

Working capital management a top priority for many executives in year ahead
Copyright © 2022 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.
Don’t Know / Not Applicable = 24.5%
Do your organization’s finance and treasury functions work closely on working
capital management?
Votes received 1,935
44.1%
25.6%
5.8%
Yes, they work as
closely as they should
Yes, but they could work
more closely together
No, they do not
work together

Working capital management a top priority for many executives in year ahead
Copyright © 2022 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.
Cross-tabbing “Which best describes your organization’s current state, following
COVID-19 disruptions?” 2022 results (slide 3) to those of “Do your organization’s
finance and treasury functions work closely on working capital management?”
(slide 4)
Yes, they work as
closely as they
should
Yes, but they
could work
more closely
together
No, they do
not work
together Don't know
Growth mode
40.4% 33.5% 29.1% 23.2%
Stabilization mode
33.3% 36.5% 34.5% 18.7%
Recovery mode
13.1% 21.5% 16.4% 6.0%
Crisis mode
7.0% 4.1% 13.6% 2.2%
Don’t know
6.2% 4.4% 6.4% 49.9%
Do your organization’s finance and treasury functions work
closely on working capital management?
Which
best
describes
your
organization’s
current
state,
following
COVID-19
disruptions?
30-40% 20-30%
<40%

Working capital management a top priority for many executives in year ahead
Copyright © 2022 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.
Don’t Know / Not Applicable = 13.2%
Which executive is most responsible for improving your organization’s working
capital?
Votes received 2,180
55.9%
15.3%
8.0% 7.6%
Chief Financial
Officer
Treasurer / Head of
Treasury Function
Chief Accounting
Officer
Other

Working capital management a top priority for many executives in year ahead
Copyright © 2022 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.
Don’t Know / Not Applicable = 33.4%
When does your company’s accounts receivable team first reach out regarding
invoice due dates?
Votes received 2,200
More than 10 days after due
date
1-10 days before due date
On due date
More than 10 days before
due date
1-10 days after due date
19.4%
20.6%
9.1%
10.5%
7.0%

Working capital management a top priority for many executives in year ahead
Copyright © 2022 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.
Don’t Know / Not Applicable = 21.8%
How will your organization manage working capital during the next 12 months?
Votes received 1,722
No change
We will make it a higher priority
It was not a priority before and will
not become one
We will make it a lower priority
It was a top priority before and will
stay one
1.6%
2.1%
26.2%
14.7%
33.6%

Working capital management a top priority for many executives in year ahead
Copyright © 2022 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.
Media Contacts
Taylor Graham
Public Relations
Deloitte Services LP
tagraham@deloitte.com
Shelley Pfaendler
Public Relations
Deloitte Services LP
spfaendler@deloitte.com

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