LOS D requires us to:
distinguish between the direct and indirect methods of presenting cash from operating activities and describe arguments in favor of each method.
The U.S. GAAP and IFRS, both accept the two methods of preparing the cash flow statement i.e. the direct method and the indirect method. Both IFRS and GAAP encourage the use of direct methods for the preparation of cash flow statements. Though, U.S. GAAP requires the reconciliation of net income with the cash from operations, even if the direct method of preparing cash flow statements is used. However, most of the firms worldwide prefer to use the indirect method, despite the stress by the trendsetters towards the use of the direct method.
There are three major components of a typical cash flow statement: cash flow from operating activities, cash from financing activities, and cash from investing activities. The presentation under both the methods (i.e. direct method and indirect method) for cash from financing activities and investing activities is the same; the only difference is in the presentation of cash from operations. So, let us discuss the presentation of cash from operations under the direct and indirect methods.
1. Operating Cash Flows – Direct Method
a. Preparing the cash flow statement using the direct method is pretty simple. Under this method, each line item of the accrual-based income statement is converted into the cash-based one, i.e. cash receipts and payments.
b. Under the cash-based system, instead of reporting the revenues and expenses that have become due or accrued, they are reported as and when the cash is received, and payment is made.
c. The commonly used format for presenting the ‘cash from operating activities’ section of a cash flow statement is:
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Operating Cash Flows – Direct Method |
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Particulars |
For the Year Ended |
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Current Year (20XX) |
Previous Year (20XX) |
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Cash collected from customers |
xxx |
xxx |
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Less: |
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|
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Cash paid to the suppliers |
(xxx) |
(xxx) |
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Cash paid to employees |
(xxx) |
(xxx) |
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Cash paid for operating expenses |
(xxx) |
(xxx) |
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Cash paid for interest |
(xxx) |
(xxx) |
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Cash paid for taxes |
(xxx) |
(xxx) |
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Operating Cash Flows |
xxx |
xxx |
d. Here, we can notice that the presentation of the cash flow statement as per the direct method is very much similar to the income statement. The line items under both the statements are the same, it is just the figures that differ. The accrual-based values are replaced by the actual cash flows under the cash from operations.
e. Thus, the cash from operations using the direct method explicitly lists the actual sources of inflows and outflows, rather than just the net results.
f. It is also useful in evaluating the past performance and evaluating the future cash flows.
2. Operating Cash Flows – Indirect Method
a. As per the indirect method of preparing the cash flow statement, the operating cash flow is calculated by adjusting the net income figure, as found in the income statement, by:
i. non-cash expenses,
ii. non-operating expenses, and
iii. changes in the working capital accounts, as found in the balance sheet, resulting from the accrual accounting.
In short, we start with the net income figure and reach to the operating cash flow by making adjustments for the transactions that affect the net income but are non-cash transactions.
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Kindly Note: Ø The non-cash expenses are added back to the net income and non-cash income is reduced from the net income because it has not resulted in any cash inflow or outflow during the year. Some of the examples of non-cash income and expenses are depreciation, amortization, barter sales, etc. Ø The non-operating items such as gains and losses are not the real economic transactions; they are only the accounting conventions. Therefore they must be adjusted to arrive at the figure of cash from operations. Ø Any increase or decrease in those accounts in the balance sheet that does impact the working capital, such as current assets and current liabilities are also adjusted for in the ‘cash from operations’ section of the cash flow statement as per the indirect method. Any increase in the current asset is considered as an economic outflow, thus the use of resources. Similarly, an increase in liability, decrease in current asset, and decrease in current liability is considered as inflow, inflow, and outflow respectively. |
b. A typical format for the ‘cash from operations’ section of a cash flow statement prepared according to the indirect method is:
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Operating Cash Flows – Indirect Method |
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Particulars |
For the Year Ended |
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Current Year (20XX) |
Previous Year (20XX) |
|
|
Net Income |
xxx |
xxx |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash from operations: |
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|
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Depreciation and amortization |
xxx |
xxx |
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Deferred income taxes |
xxx |
xxx |
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Increase in current assets |
(xxx) |
(xxx) |
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Decrease in current liabilities Increase in current liabilities |
(xxx) xxx |
(xxx) xxx |
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Decrease in current assets |
xxx |
xxx |
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Operating Cash Flows |
xxx |
xxx |
c. This statement shows the reasons for the difference between the net income and cash from operations.
d. It also facilitates the forecasting of future cash flows and net income.