Why it matters at exit
The headline price in an offer is rarely the exact figure that reaches your bank account. Most deals are done on a cash-free, debt-free basis, so the buyer expects to inherit a normal level of working capital to keep trading from day one, and sets that target from your recent history (often a twelve-month average). Running down stock, delaying supplier payments or pulling cash out just before completion can all trigger a downward adjustment worth tens of thousands of euros. Clean, consistent working capital and reliable monthly accounts make the target easier to agree and the final settlement harder to dispute.