How to Prepare a Cash Flow Statement: Steps & Examples
Cash flow is the lifeline of any business. While making profits on paper is important, a company must manage its cash flow prudently to survive. The cash flow statement plays a crucial role in this scenario. It clearly shows how cash flows in and out of a business, and learning how to prepare a cash flow statement goes a long way toward providing the information to make informed decisions.
So, whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, an upcoming finance student, or a working professional, learning the cash flow statement format helps you to understand business health and liquidity.
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Table Of Content
What is a Cash Flow Statement?
Importance of a Cash Flow Statement
Components of a Cash Flow Statement
How to Prepare a Cash Flow Statement: Methods
How to Make a Cash Flow Statement: Steps to Follow
Cash Flow Statement Format
Cash Flow Sheet Example
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Upskill with a Financial Course
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cash Flow Statement?
A cash flow statement is one of the foundational accounting statements for any business. Accompanied by the balance sheet and the income statement, it provides a clear financial picture of a company. These three accounting components show how cash and cash equivalents enter and leave the company in a given period.
Moving on, the cash flow statement format is divided into three major sections –
- Operating activities
- Investing activities
- Financing activities
Importance of a Cash Flow Statement
The cash flow statement is more than a financial report; it’s a decision-making tool. Here’s why it’s important:
Tracks Liquidity
A cash flow statement helps to evaluate whether the business has adequate cash to cover its short-term obligations.
Supports Budgeting
This accounting document plays a key role in planning and projecting the business’s future financial demands and, therefore, aids in budgeting.
Builds Investor Confidence
Documenting the business’s current financial position, including the cash component, helps build investor confidence.
Improves Financial Control
Cash flow documentation also enables firms to track and identify areas of overspending and inefficiency in the operation and in the organization’s sections.
Regulatory Compliance
Managing the cash flow statement is also essential to comply with the regulations in the country.
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Components of a Cash Flow Statement
The cash flow statement comprises three major components indicating various cash activities.
a) Operating Activities
This section depicts the core business operations and consists of:
- Money received from the sale of goods and services
- Payments to suppliers and employees
- Cash paid for operating expenses
The cash flow from operating activities indicates how well the business can generate cash from day-to-day operations.
b) Investing Activities
In this section, there are to be transactions on:
- Purchase or sale of assets
- Investments in other businesses
- Loans made to third parties
The cash flow from investing activities is normally indicative of long-term investment in the growth of the company.
c) Financing Activities
This part addresses the aspect of how a company funds its operations and expansion. It includes:
- Issuance of shares or debt
- Loan repayments
- Dividend payments
Financing activities indicate how the company generates capital and how it repays the investors or lenders.
How to Prepare a Cash Flow Statement: Methods
There are two main methods of preparing a cash flow statement, which are:
a) Direct Method
Valid cash receipts and disbursements are used directly. It includes:
- Cash collected from customers
- Cash paid to suppliers
- Cash is utilized to pay salaries, rent, and other charges.
This technique provides more details, but it is difficult to compile because of the need for data.
b) Indirect Method
This process begins with the net income that is taken from the income statement and then adjusted for:
- Non-cash expenses like depreciation
- Changes in working capital
- Gains/losses in investing activities
The indirect method is common, and it is easily prepared based on data from the existing financial statements.
How to Make a Cash Flow Statement: Steps to Follow
Let us look at a simple guide on how to prepare a cash flow statement using the indirect method:
Step 1: Gather Necessary Financial Data
Get the company’s income statement and balance sheet for the period under study. They contain all the needed values.
Step 2: Calculate Operating Activities
Start with net income. Adjust for non-cash disbursements and working capital changes.
- Add depreciation/amortization
- Subtract increases in current assets
- Add increases in current liabilities
Step 3: Determine Investing Activities
Make a list of the cash transactions involving purchasing or selling long-term assets.
- Subtract asset purchases
- Add proceeds from asset sales
Step 4: Evaluate Financing Activities
Enter debt and equity transactions.
- Include proceeds of loans or the issuing of shares
- Subtract repayments and dividends paid
Step 5: Compute Net Cash Flow
Add cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities. Add it to the opening cash balance to arrive at the closing cash balance.
Cash Flow Statement Format
Here’s a sample format:
ABC Pvt. Ltd.
Cash Flow Statement
For the Year Ended March 31, 2025
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net Income ……………………………… ₹500,000
Add: Depreciation ………………………… ₹50,000
Increase/Decrease in Receivables ………… (₹20,000)
Increase in Payables …………………….. ₹15,000
Net Cash from Operating Activities ………… ₹545,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchase of Equipment ……………………. (₹100,000)
Sale of Investment ………………………. ₹30,000
Net Cash from Investing Activities ………… (₹70,000)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Loan Proceeds ……………………………. ₹200,000
Dividends Paid …………………………… (₹50,000)
Net Cash from Financing Activities …………. ₹150,000
Net Increase in Cash ……………………….. ₹625,000
Opening Cash Balance ……………………….. ₹100,000
Closing Cash Balance ……………………….. ₹725,000
Cash Flow Sheet Example
Let’s understand this with a fictional company, XYZ Ltd:
Income Statement Summary:
- Net Income: ₹400,000
- Depreciation: ₹40,000
- Gain on Sale of Asset: ₹20,000
Balance Sheet Changes:
- Accounts Receivable: +₹30,000
- Inventory: -₹10,000
- Accounts Payable: +₹25,000
Investing Activities:
- Purchase of Machine: ₹(120,000)
- Sale of Old Equipment: ₹50,000
Financing Activities:
- Issued Equity Shares: ₹100,000
- Repaid Loan: ₹(60,000)
- Paid Dividends: ₹(20,000)
Final Cash Flow Statement:
Operating Activities:
Net Income:…………………..₹400,000
Add: Depreciation:……………₹40,000
Less: Gain on Sale:…………….₹(20,000)
Changes in Working Capital:…..₹5,000
Net Cash:……………………………₹425,000
Investing Activities:
Purchase of Machine:…………….₹(120,000)
Sale of Equipment:……………………..₹50,000
Net Cash:……………………………………₹(70,000)
Financing Activities:
Issued Shares:…………………₹100,000
Repaid Loan:…………………….₹(60,000)
Dividends Paid:…………………₹(20,000)
Net Cash:………………………….₹20,000
Net Increase in Cash:………..₹375,000
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not make the following errors while preparing a cash flow statement:
Skipping Non-Cash Adjustments
Depreciation, amortization, and gains/losses should always be taken into consideration.
Incorrect Categorization
For instance, do not put loan repayment under cash flow operating activities.
Ignoring Working Capital Changes
These have a tremendous effect on cash flow operating activities.
Miscalculating Cash from Investments
Investigate new values for asset purchase and sale.
Inconsistency in Method
Do not change from a direct to an indirect approach at random.
Accuracy matters. Minor errors may distort a company’s liquidity. That is why it is essential to learn how to prepare a cash flow statement.
Upskill with a Financial Course
If you are willing to master how to prepare a cash flow statement along with cash flow analysis and financial reporting, a specialized course will be a good choice.
One of these courses is a Postgraduate Certificate in Financial Management. This program suits professionals and students who are interested in having a good foundation in:
- Financial statement analysis
- Working capital management
- Strategic investment decisions
- Risk and return optimization
- Budgeting and forecasting
The curriculum combines theory with realistic case studies. You will be practically able to prepare reports like the cash flow statement. By enrolling in this course, you can enhance your career in finance, accounting, and business leadership.
It doesn’t matter whether you are trying to become a CFO or just understand business finance better, this program is a step in the right direction.
Conclusion
Preparing a cash flow statement feels like an overwhelming task at first sight, but once you learn how to prepare a cash flow statement, it becomes easy. This statement offers critical information on the cash position of your business and enables you to make informed operational, investing, and financing decisions.
Each step is important, from collecting financial statements to calculating net cash flow. The cash flow statement format is standardized, making interpretation easier for stakeholders.
Investing in professional training can further sharpen your financial skills and give you a competitive edge. Comprehending and applying cash flow statistics can ultimately improve business performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
