▷ What is cash flow statement | Benefits of the cash flow statement (2024)

TABLE OF CONTENT

  • What is a Cash Flow Statement?
  • Cash Flow Statement Format
  • How to Use a Cash Flow Statement?
  • Advantages of a Cash Flow Statement
  • How is Cash Flow Statement Calculated ?
  • Direct Method Example
  • Indirect Method

Cash Flow Statement

The cash flow statement is one of the most important reports a business can run. Like a balance sheet and profit and loss statement, the cash flow statement provides information on the health of your business and is frequently used by investors and financial institutions to assess profitability.

What is a Cash Flow Statement?

A cash flow statement is a budget summary that gives data about the changes in cash and cash equivalents of a business. The statement of cash flows acts as a bridge between the balance sheet and income statement by displaying how money moved in and out of the business.

The cash flow statement is believed to be the most intuitive of all the budget summaries since it follows the money made by the business in three primary ways—through operations, investment, and financing. The sum of these three segments is known as net cash flow.

Cash Flow Statement Format

A cash flow statement provides insight into changes in your cash on hand. This means that it covers three key aspects of your business activities. These are as follows:

  • Operating Activities
  • This refers to regular business activities. Inflows include revenue from selling products or services, dividends received by the business, interest, and other cash receipts, Outflows include payroll, overheads, taxes, and payments to suppliers and vendors.

  • Investment Activities
  • Cash Flow from Investing Activities includes the acquisition and disposal of non-current assets and other investments not included in cash equivalents. Investing activity includes the cash flows associated with buying or selling property, investing in fixed deposits, mutual funds, stock market, plant, and equipment (PP&E), other non-current assets, and other financial assets.

  • Financing Activities
  • Cash Flow from Financing Activities result in changes in the size and composition of the equity capital or borrowings of the entity. This activity includes borrowing and repaying bank loans, and issuing and buying back shares. The payment of a dividend is also treated as a financing cash flow.

How to Use a Cash Flow Statement?

To properly prepare your cash flow statement, you need to have your income statement and balance sheet on hand. Below steps explains how to use a cash flow statement.

  • Step 1: Calculate your Net Income
  • You can calculate your net income by referring to the income statement. Your operating activities are reflected in the income statement. Basically, your net income is a product of your gains and overall revenue, in a given time frame, minus your losses and total expenses, over the same time frame. However, your net income is not similar to your cash flow.

  • Step 2: Convert your Net Income to Net Cash from Operating Activities
  • Your income statement is based off of the accrual method of accounting, and thus adjustments need to be made to pacify net income with net cash. With accrual method, you have a policy for recognizing revenue, this is often connected to doing the work or providing the service, and you record your expenses when a commitment is made, like when you agree to pay someone or sign a contract.

    This means your income statement reflects losses or gains that might not actually be reflective of the cash you have on hand.

  • Step 3: Calculate the net cash from net cash financing activities and investing activities
  • Once you calculate your net cash flow from operating activities, it gets much easier further. You need to calculate your net cash flow from investing activities and financing activities. Each of these categories require adding your inflows, and subtracting your outflows — no adjustments necessary!

    Once you have a number for net cash flows from all three activities, next you need to sum up these three values together. This will provide you with your net increase (or decrease) in cash flows for the given period of time.

Advantages of a Cash Flow Statement

Below are the 5 advantages of Cash flow statement

  • Verifying Profitability and Liquidity Positions
  • Cash Flow Statement helps the management to ascertain the liquidity and profitability position of businesses. Liquidity refers to one’s ability to pay the obligation as soon as it becomes due. Since Cash Flow Statement presents the cash position of a firm at the time of making payment it directly helps to verify the liquidity position, the same is applicable for profitability.

  • Verifying Capital Cash Balance
  • Cash Flow Statement also helps to verify the capital cash balance of businesses. It is possible for businesses to verify the idle and/or excess and/or shortage of cash position, if capital cash balance is determined. After verifying the cash position, the management can invest the excess cash, if any, or borrow funds from outside sources accordingly to reach the cash loss.

  • Cash Management
  • If the Cash Flow Statement is properly prepared, it becomes easy for you to manage the cash. The management can prepare an estimate about the multiple inflows of cash and outflows of cash so that it becomes very helpful for them to make future plans.

  • Planning and Coordination
  • Cash Flow Statement is planned on an estimated basis meant for the successive year. This helps the management to understand how much funds are needed and for what purposes, how much cash is generated from internal sources, how much cash can be procured from outside the business. It also helps to prepare cash budgets. Thus, the management can coordinate various activities and prepare plans with the help of this statement.

  • Superiority over Accrual Basis of Accounting
  • As a number of technical adjustments are made in the latter case, Cash Flow Statement is more reliable or dependable than collecting basis of accounting.

How is Cash Flow Statement Calculated ?

Cash flow can be calculated by 2 methods - Direct and indirect method.

  • Direct Method
  • The direct method uses actual cash inflows and outflows from the company's operations, instead of modifying the operating section from accrual accounting to a cash basis. Accrual accounting recognizes revenue when it is earned versus when the payment is received from a customer. This method measures only the cash that's been received, which is typically from customers and the cash payments or outflows, such as to suppliers. The inflows and outflows are netted to arrive at the cash flow. The direct method is also known as the income statement method.

    Steps to calculate cash flow from operations using the direct method is given below –

  • Cash Receipt: Represents the actual amount of cash received during the period
  • ▷ What is cash flow statement | Benefits of the cash flow statement (1)
  • Cash Payment: Represents the actual amount of cash payments to the suppliers
  • ▷ What is cash flow statement | Benefits of the cash flow statement (2)
  • Cash expenses may include selling, administration, R&D, and changes in other operating liabilities
  • Cash interest-only recognizes interest expense paid in cash
  • ▷ What is cash flow statement | Benefits of the cash flow statement (3)
  • Cash Tax: Represents only taxes paid in cash
  • ▷ What is cash flow statement | Benefits of the cash flow statement (4)

Cash Flow (Direct Method) = Cash Receipts – Cash Payments – Cash Expenses – Cash Interest – Cash Taxes

Direct Method Example

Let us assume that ABC Business’s income statement sales was $650,000; gross profit of $350,000; selling and administrative costs of $140,000; and income taxes of $40,000. The selling and administrative expenses included $14,500 for depreciation.

Calculate Cash Flow from Operations using the Direct Method.

The following additional information is available

Beginning of Period balance End of Period balance
  • Account Receivables
  • $65,000
  • $81,000
  • Inventory
  • 55,000
  • 42,000
  • Accounts Payable
  • 38,000
  • 45,000
  • Cash Receipt = $650,000 – ($81,000 – $65000) = $634,000
  • Cash Payment = $300,000 – ($55,000 – $42,000) – (45,000 – $38,000) = $280,000
  • Cash Expense = $140,000 – $14,500 = $125,500
  • Cash Taxes = $40,000

Cash Flow from Operations using Direct Method formula = $634,000 – $320,000 – $125,500 – $40,000 = $188,500

Indirect Method

The capital basis net income is established first in this method. This net income is then indirectly adjusted for items that affected the reported net income but did not involve cash. The indirect method adjusts net income for: changes in current assets , changes in current liabilities, and items that were included in net income but did not affect cash. Below are the detailed steps to calculate cash flow statement using indirect method:

Steps to calculate cash flow from operations using the indirect method is given below

  • Start with Net Income
  • Identify gains or losses that result from financing and investments (like gains from the sale of land).
  • Identify non-cash charges to income and subtract all non-cash revenue components.
  • Operating Assets: Increase in the balances of operating assets is subtracted while the decrease in those accounts is added
  • Operating Liabilities: Increases in the balances of operating liability accounts are added, while decreases are subtracted

Cash Flow = Net Income + Gains & Losses from financing & investments + Non-cash charges + changes in operating accounts

Here’s an example of applying the indirect method :

Pam owns a chain of bakeries and is considering opening another storefront, but she wants to be sure her business is profitable enough to support such an investment. When looking at her year-end cash flow statements, Pam can use the following data:

  • Net income: $200,000
  • Depreciation: $20,000
  • Accounts receivable adjustments: +$75,000
  • Inventory adjustments: -$15,000
  • Accounts payable adjustments: -$40,000

Let’s apply these data in the indirect method formula:

$200,000 – $75,000 + $15,000 – $40,000 + $20,000 = $120,000

Pam’s bakeries have an operating cash flow of $120,000, meaning she had $120k left over after all bills were paid. Depending on how much it has cost Pam to invest in new storefronts previously, she may or may not decide to use this leftover cash to pursue opening other retail locations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • How is cash flow and net income differentiated?
  • Cash flow is calculated by changes in cash balances from one accounting period to the next. Net income is gross income minus expenses in an accounting period.

  • Why is cash flow necessary for business?
  • Cash flow is important for businesses as it provides the money necessary to pay your bills, buy supplies, pay your employees, and keep your business operating.

  • How to maximize your cash flow?
  • To increase your cash flow, you need to start with speeding up the pace that your receivables come in. This may require reducing the time you bonus customers for paying on time or more customer service efforts.

  • How to analyze cash flow?
  • To analyze cash flow you need to prepare a cash flow statement which will track how much money is coming in and out of your business. Then you can analyse your investments, operating expenses, financing costs etc.

  • What happens when cash flow is negative?
  • Businesses cannot pay their bills when cash flow is negative. They’re forced to borrow money, pay interest, and hurt the bottom line.

  • What is free cash flow?
  • Free Cash Flow (FCF) is the measure of money a business creates subsequent to considering capital consumptions.

  • How to analyse if cash flow statements are correct?
  • In order to ensure that your cash flow statements are accurate, you’ll need to do a line by line analysis and verify that the information you input is accurate.

  • Can cash flow be negative?
  • Yes, cash flow can be negative. It occurs when you have more expenses than income. It is the result of poorly managed receivables and the misunderstanding of how to use credit. For a limited time, negative cash flow is allowable, but repeated negative cash flow can cause a business to fail.

  • How to calculate Free Cash Flow (FCF) from a cash flow statement?
  • You can calculate FCF by taking your previous-tax and interest earnings, adding depreciation and amortization, and then subtracting changes in capital expenditures and working capital.

  • What is levered free cash flow?
  • Levered free cash flow is basically money that is on deck after all debts are paid. It is money that is not owed to anyone. And, if you have stockholders or investors, it is available to them.

▷ What is cash flow statement | Benefits of the cash flow statement (2024)

FAQs

▷ What is cash flow statement | Benefits of the cash flow statement? ›

A cash flow statement tells you how much cash is entering and leaving your business in a given period. Along with balance sheets and income statements, it's one of the three most important financial statements for managing your small business accounting and making sure you have enough cash to keep operating.

What is the cash flow statement? ›

A cash flow statement is a financial statement that shows how cash entered and exited a company during an accounting period. Cash coming in and out of a business is referred to as cash flows, and accountants use these statements to record, track, and report these transactions.

What is cash flow quizlet? ›

Cash Flow. Cash flow is the difference between the amount of cash the company has at the beginning of an accounting period versus the amount of cash it has at the end of an accounting period. Cash flow represents, or is based upon, the operating activities of the business.

What is one of the benefits of the statement of cash flows is that it helps users? ›

The firm's ability to respond and adapt to financial adversity and unexpected needs. One of the benefits of the statement of cash flows is that it helps users evaluate financial flexibility.

What is cash flow and why is it important? ›

Cash flow is the inflow and outflow of money from a business. It is necessary for daily operations, taxes, purchasing inventory, and paying employees and operating costs. Positive cash flow indicates that a company's liquid assets are increasing.

What are cash flow statement advantages and disadvantages? ›

A cash flow statement helps a business owner assess net assets. It helps in evaluating the cash-generating capability of a firm. Aids in planning policies for profit-maximizing. Understanding and assessing the cash flow of a firm helps in optimizing profit and sustainability.

What are the three main statements of cash flow? ›

The three main components of a cash flow statement are cash flow from operations, cash flow from investing, and cash flow from financing. The two different accounting methods, accrual accounting and cash accounting, determine how a cash flow statement is presented.

What is the most important number on a statement of cash flows? ›

Regardless of whether the direct or the indirect method is used, the operating section of the cash flow statement ends with net cash provided (used) by operating activities. This is the most important line item on the cash flow statement.

How to calculate cash flow statement? ›

Summary. Net Cash Flow = Total Cash Inflows – Total Cash Outflows.

Why is a cash flow statement important quizlet? ›

The Cash Flow Statement provides information about a business' ability to remain solvent (meet its obligations) and to grow.

What is the purpose of the cash flow statement quizlet? ›

The primary purpose of the statement of cash flows is to provide information. about a company's cash receipts and cash payments during an accounting period.

Which is true about cash flow statements? ›

Answer and Explanation:

The answer is Option D. A cash flow statement is prepared for a single financial year. This financial statement only records the current year's cash activities related to the operating, investing, and financing and covers the same time span of the income statement.

What are the advantages of cash flow statement and fund flow statement? ›

The cash flow will record a company's inflow and outflow of actual cash (cash and cash equivalents). The fund flow records the movement of cash in and out of the company. Both help provide investors and the market with a snapshot of how the company is doing on a periodic basis.

What are the benefits of using a cash flow statement as compared to a funds flow statement? ›

Fund flow is the working capital of a business and includes the net movement of funds. Both cash flow and fund flow statements offer a quick snapshot of how well a company is doing for investors and the market. Cash flow shows if a company can pay bills now, while fund flow is for long-term financial planning.

What are two advantages of completing a cash flow projection? ›

Cash flow forecasting helps predict seasonal fluctuations in your cash flows, which is vital for companies that have uneven revenues throughout the year. The additional insight allows you to plan for periods of low cash flow and ensure that you have sufficient cash available to meet your key obligations.

What is the difference between a balance sheet and a cash flow statement? ›

A balance sheet shows what a company owns in the form of assets and what it owes in the form of liabilities. A balance sheet also shows the amount of money invested by shareholders listed under shareholders' equity. The cash flow statement shows the cash inflows and outflows for a company during a period.

What is cash flow statement and how it is prepared? ›

A statement of cash flows is a financial statement prepared at the end of the accounting period, showing cash inflows from ongoing operations and external investment sources and cash outflows paid for business investments and activities.

What is the difference between the income statement and the cash flow statement? ›

The cash flow statement follows the cash basis of accounting that works on the actual payments and receipts of cash. The income statement follows the accrual basis of accounting that works on the basis of income/payments that are either due or received in advance.

What is the cash flow of a business? ›

Business cash flow is the backbone of every business. Positive cash flow means that your operation is generating enough income to cover its expenses and potentially enough additional income to invest in growth. If you're looking to start a new business, consider choosing an idea that generates high cash flow.

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