Are notes payable included In working capital?

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Page written by Ashlyn Brooks. Last reviewed on February 5, 2025. Next review due October 1, 2026.

Here at Swoop, we want you to have the tools and insights needed to make informed financial decisions for your business. Understanding how different liabilities impact your working capital can help you manage cash flow more effectively and keep your operations running smoothly.

A common question among business owners is whether notes payable are included in working capital. Here’s all we’ll be covering below:

When notes payable are classified as working capital. And when they aren’t.
A thorough explanation of notes payable.
Differences between notes payable and other debts.

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Do notes payable count towards working capital?

Yes, if the notes payable are due within the next 12 months. Otherwise, they are classified as long-term liabilities and therefore NOT included in working capital. This is because, within the first 12 months, they are considered current liabilities and get included in working capital calculations.

What are notes payable?

Notes payable is an agreement where a borrower commits to repaying a specific amount of money to a lender within a set timeframe. These agreements often include details like:

Principal: The original amount you borrowed.
Interest: The cost of borrowing, typically a fixed or variable interest percentage.
Maturity date: The deadline for full repayment.
Terms: Frequency and structure of repayments (lump sum or installments).

Notes payable typically arise from financing arrangements such as loans from financial institutions, supplier credit extensions, or other formal borrowing agreements.

Regardless of the time frame, these obligations are recorded as liabilities on a company’s balance sheet. The repayment timeline is what makes them current liabilities (due within one year) or long-term liabilities (due after a year).

What are the functions of notes payable?

There are several ways you could look at notes payable being a functioning part of your business financial strategy.

Financing growth: Businesses often use notes payable to fund expansion, purchase inventory, or acquire equipment when immediate capital isn’t available.
Cash flow: They offer structured repayment schedules, which can help businesses plan their cash flow more effectively.
Formalize lending terms: It provides clarity on repayment expectations and legal details, which can reduce disputes.
Short-term liquidity: Notes payable can help businesses meet immediate funding needs without depleting cash reserves.

Are notes payable the same as accounts payable?

No, notes payable are not the same as accounts payable. While both represent a company’s financial obligations, they differ in structure and purpose. Notes payable involve a formal written agreement with clearly defined repayment terms, often including interest payments, while accounts payable are more of routine supplier transactions without a formal contract or interest charges.

Accounts payable are commonly used for everyday operational expenses like utilities, office supplies, or raw materials, whereas notes payable are often associated with financing needs such as loans or supplier credit extensions. Plus, accounts payable are generally short-term obligations, while notes payable can be either short-term or long-term, depending on the repayment terms.

Accounts Payable vs. Notes Payable
Terms	Notes Payable	Accounts Payable
Interest	Yes	No
Timeline	Short or long-term	Short term
Agreement	Formally written	No formal contract

Can notes payable be converted into accounts payable?

Generally, notes payable and accounts payable stand separately and are rarely converted. However, there are situations where they can overlap or be converted:

Settlement arrangements: A company might negotiate to settle a notes payable balance by converting it into a series of smaller payments under accounts payable terms.
Supplier financing: If a supplier loan is formalized into a note payable agreement with added interest terms, it transitions from a standard trade payable to a note payable.
Restructuring debt: A company facing liquidity issues might renegotiate outstanding accounts payable into a note payable structure to extend payment terms and introduce interest.

Again, these are rare scenarios and often involve restructuring agreements with creditors.

What are the differences between notes payable and other debts?

Notes payable have several differences from other forms of debt such as structure, usage, and repayment terms. Here’s a comparison of common business debt types:

Lines of credit: Unlike notes payable, a line of credit offers flexibility in borrowing up to a specified limit (like a credit card). Repayments can be more dynamic with a line of credit, like having a minimum payment or paying more to bring your principal balance down.
Loans: Traditional loans may have similar structures to notes payable but often involve longer terms and more in-depth agreements with banks.
Convertible debt: Some notes payable can be converted into equity (convertible notes), while standard loans and lines of credit cannot.
Bonds payable: Bonds are issued to the public as a long-term debt tool, but notes payable are usually private agreements with lenders or suppliers.

How do notes payable affect working capital?

Assuming that the notes payable account is a short-term liability (comes to maturity within 12 months) then it will need to be included in the working capital calculations. Here’s how that works out:

Working Capital = Current Assets – Current Liabilities

Notes payable are included as current liabilities, in turn, they reduce working capital, giving the indication of less liquidity for short-term operations.

Example:

Say your business has:

$100,000 in current assets
$40,000 in accounts payable
$20,000 in current notes payable

	Assets	Liabilities
Current assets	$100,000	-
Accounts payable	-	$40,000
Notes Payable	-	$20,000
Working capital	$40,000

Working Capital = $100,000 – ($40,000 + $20,000) = $40,000

How Swoop can help

At Swoop Funding, we understand the importance of balancing working capital while managing various forms of debt. Our platform simplifies the process of exploring funding solutions tailored to your business’s unique needs.

With Swoop, you can:

Identify funding options: Quickly compare loans, credit lines, and alternative financing solutions suited to your cash flow needs.
Simplify financial planning: Our tools help you understand how notes payable and other liabilities impact your working capital.
Access tailored advice: Work with our funding experts to explore restructuring options and optimize debt management.

Take control of your working capital today. Check available business loans through our platform, and discover smarter ways to fund your growth.

Written by

Ashlyn Brooks

Ashlyn is a personal finance writer with experience in business and consumer taxes, retirement, and financial services to name a few. She has been published in USA Today, Kiplinger and Investopedia.

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