THE IMPORTANCE OF MANAGING FINANCIAL RESOURCES IN COMPANIES IN SERBIA

Efficient management of financial resources is a key factor in a company's successful operations, as it ensures optimal resource allocation, strategic decision-making, and business stability. This paper explores the main aspects of financial management in companies in Serbia, with a special focus on financial analysis and planning, investment decisions, and business activity financing. Within financial management, special attention is given to working capital management, which directly impacts a company's liquidity and solvency. Net working capital, defined as the difference between total current assets and short-term liabilities, serves as an indicator of financial stability and enables the timely settlement of obligations. Additionally, cash flow management is analyzed, emphasizing the optimal maintenance of cash balances to minimize opportunity costs and liquidity risks. A dedicated section of the paper focuses on inventory management, as inventories constitute a significant portion of a company's total assets and require substantial financial investment. Maintaining an optimal inventory level minimizes overall business costs, including procurement, storage, and insurance expenses, while simultaneously preventing losses due to material shortages or stockouts of finished products. The research findings indicate that efficient financial management contributes to increased capital value, profit maximization, and sustainable business growth. Maintaining a balance between profitability and solvency is a key challenge for companies in Serbia, making proper planning and financial indicator analysis essential for successful business operations.