Cash-Flow Statement: Indirect Method
The first section of a cash flow statement, known as cash flow from operating activities, can be prepared using two different methods known as the direct method and the indirect method. Here we will study the indirect method to calculate cash flows from operating activities.
In indirect method, the net income figure from the income statement is used to calculate the amount of net cash flow from operating activities. Since the income statement is prepared on accrual basis in which revenue is recognized when earned and not when received therefore net income does not represent the net cash flow from operating activities and it is necessary to adjust earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) for those items which effect net income although no actual cash is paid or received against them.
Formula
The following is the indirect method formula to calculate net cash flow from operating activities:
Net Income | |
+ | Non-Cash Expenses: |
(Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization Expense) | |
+ | Non-Operating Losses: |
(Loss on Sale of Non-Current Assets) | |
− | Non-Operating Gains: |
(Gain on Sale of Non-Current Assets) | |
+ | Decrease in Current Assets: |
(Accounts Receivable, Prepaid Expenses, Inventory etc.) | |
− | Increase in Current Assets |
+ | Increase in Current Liabilities: |
(Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities, Income Tax Payable etc.) | |
− | Decrease in Current Liabilities |
= | Net Cash Flow from Operating Activities |
The following example shows the format of the cash flows from operating activities section of cash flows statement prepared using indirect method:
Example
Use the following information to calculate net cash flow from operating activities using indirect method:
Net Income | $7,000 |
Depreciation Expense | 1,000 |
Increase in Accounts Receivable | 4,400 |
Increase in Prepaid Rent | 7,000 |
Decrease in Prepaid Insurance | 1,300 |
Increase in Accounts Payable | 14,000 |
Increase in Wages Payable | 1,000 |
Decrease in Income Tax Payable | 700 |
Gain on Sale of Equipment | 1,800 |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | |
Net Income | $7,000 |
Depreciation Expense | 1,000 |
Gain on Sale of Equipment | −1,800 |
Increase in Accounts Receivable | −4,400 |
Increase in Prepaid Rent | −7,000 |
Decrease in Prepaid Insurance | 1,300 |
Increase in Accounts Payable | 14,000 |
Increase in Wages Payable | 1,000 |
Decrease in Income Tax Payable | −700 |
Net Cash Flow from Operating Activities | $10,400 |
by Irfanullah Jan, ACCA and last modified on