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Cash Flow Glossary Term

Working Capital

The difference between your current assets and current liabilities — essentially the cash available to keep operations running. For subcontractors, it covers payroll, fuel, and equipment costs while awaiting client payment. Tight working capital is a common risk when payment terms stretch 60–90 days.

Related Terms

Geopolitical Risk Premium

Cash Flow

An added cost built into project contracts to account for instability in regions where work is performed. For subcontractors, it affects bid pricing, insurance rates, and mobilisation costs. Clients in high-risk areas may pay elevated day rates to secure reliable field crews.

Backcharge

Cash Flow

A charge issued by an operator or general contractor to a subcontractor for costs incurred due to defective work, delays, or failure to meet contractual obligations.

Day Rate

Cash Flow

A pricing model where contractors are paid a fixed daily rate for equipment and/or personnel, regardless of the amount of work completed that day.

Capped-Call Transactions

Cash Flow

A financial tool used by larger contractors to manage costs when issuing convertible debt. It limits share dilution, helping protect company ownership structure. Subcontractors may see clients reference these when explaining capital raise decisions affecting project budgets.

Ticket Rejection

Cash Flow

When an operator returns a field ticket for correction before approval. Common causes include missing information, rate discrepancies, or insufficient documentation. Rejections delay payment and require rework.

Revenue Leakage

Cash Flow

Revenue that is earned but never collected due to operational inefficiencies. Common causes include lost field tickets, unbilled equipment hours, forgotten third-party charges, and documentation errors. Industry estimates suggest 1-5% of revenue is lost to leakage in paper-based operations.

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