How to Prepare a Cash Flow Statement Using the Indirect Method?

Introduction to cash flow statement indirect method

A cash flow statement tells a lot about a company’s financial health and performance. You can create them through the direct and indirect methods. The latter is more popular among finance folks. You’ll explore the “why?” behind it as you read on.

In this article, we will cover an overview of the cash flow statement indirect method, its format, steps to create it, pros and cons, and common mistakes you can avoid. 

A statement of cash flow is factual evidence that helps unravel the mystery of a company’s financial performance. It reveals connections between reported earnings and the actual cash generated. Often, it unveils subtle nuances of a company’s financial performance that other statements may not disclose. 

It involves a lot of data collection, modeling, and calculations. Many organizations leverage cash flow management software to produce these statements easily. 

Quick Read: What is Cash Flow Forecasting and their Advantages & How to Ace It?

What is a cash flow statement and its importance?

A cash flow statement offers an organization a detailed account of cash inflows and outflows in specific periods.  While it categorizes cash flow into operating, investing, and financing activities, it can further reveal crucial information about a company’s liquidity, solvency, and overall health. Further, you can uncover facts that may not be apparent from balance sheets or income statements alone.

Below are some key aspects that make cash flow statements important.

• Liquidity: A cash flow statement shows a company’s ability to generate cash to meet its short-term obligations. Positive cash flow from operating activities indicates the company generates sufficient cash from its core business to meet its current financial needs.
• Solvency: Cash flow statements tell a lot about a company’s long-term financial stability. It showcases an organization’s ability to meet long-term debt obligations while investing in future growth.
• Profitability: Cash flow statements help investors assess the quality of a company’s earnings. A company may report high net income on the income statement. Still, if the cash flow from operating activities is low, it could indicate potential profitability or financial management issues.
• Investment efficiency. Cash flow statements help investors and stakeholders evaluate a company’s ability to allocate resources and generate investment returns effectively. For example, consistently high cash outflows for capital expenditures without corresponding increases in cash inflows could indicate inefficient investments or growth strategies.
• Performance comparison: The cash flow statement compares a company’s financial performance across different periods and against industry peers. This helps stakeholders identify trends, anomalies, and areas of improvement or concern.

Overview of cash flow statement indirect method

What is the indirect method?

The indirect approach of the cash flow statement begins with net income and adjusts it for non-cash items. Next, it considers changes in working capital, providing a clear reconciliation between a company’s reported net income and actual cash flow from operations.

It provides a clear reconciliation between the reported net income and the actual cash generated from the company’s core business operations.

The role of cash flow statement in financial analysis

The cash flow statement plays a vital role in financial accounting. It offers insights into a company’s cash-generating ability, liquidity, solvency, and investment efficiency. With cash flow statements, stakeholders can evaluate a company’s financial health and make informed decisions about investing, lending, or working with the company. 

Using the indirect method, stakeholders can easily understand and compare cash flow statements making it the most common practice accepted by businesses and investors. 

Key features and benefits of the indirect method

The indirect method starts with the net income, considers non-cash item adjustments, and includes changes in operating assets and liabilities. Overall, it provides detailed information about operating assets and liabilities changes.

The method has many advantages for business, you can dive deeper into its details in the subsequent sections on this article.

Quick Read: What is Cash Management System, Types, How It Works & Best Practices

Understanding the cash flow statement indirect method

The indirect method serves as a bridge connecting income statements and balance sheets. It highlights the impact of non-cash items, such as depreciation and amortization, affecting a company’s reported earnings without changing its cash position. 

By adjusting for these non-cash items, the indirect method allows investors to understand better the relationship between a company’s accounting profits and cash generation. 

Another unique aspect of the indirect method is how it reveals the underlying dynamics of a company’s working capital management. By examining changes in accounts receivable, inventory, and accounts payable, the indirect method sheds light on the efficiency of a company’s day-to-day operations. It becomes a game-changer for investors as it uncovers potential areas of improvement or concern that may not be evident from other financial statements.
Moreover, the indirect method is valuable for identifying potential red flags in a company’s financial performance. For instance, a company may report high net income on the income statement but fail to generate positive cash flow from operating activities. This discrepancy could indicate potential issues with revenue recognition, expense management, or other aspects of financial management that warrant further investigation.

Quick Read: 10 Best Accounts Payable (AP) Software

Cash flow statement format for the indirect method

The cash flow statement format indirect method typically consists of three main cashflows from:

• Operating activities 
• Investing activities
• Financing activities. 

Each section details the cash inflows and outflows for the specific activities.

1. Cash flows from operating activities	Amount
a. Net Income
b. Adjustments for non-cash items: Depreciation and amortization Stock-based compensation Deferred taxes Gains/losses on asset sales
c. Adjustments for changes in working capital: Accounts receivable Inventory Accounts payable Accrued expenses Prepaid expenses
d. Net cash flow from operating activities (Total of a, b, and c)
2. Cash flows from investing activities
a. Purchases of property, plant, and equipment (PPE)
b. Proceeds from the sale of PPE
c. Acquisitions of businesses or investments
d. Proceeds from the sale of businesses or investments
e. Loans made or collections on loans
f. Net cash flow from investing activities (Total of a through e)
3. Cash flows from financing activities
a. Proceeds from issuing debt
b. Repayment of debt
c. Proceeds from issuing equity
d. Repurchase of equity
e. Dividends paid
f. Net cash flow from financing activities (Total of a through e)
Net increase or decrease in cash and its cash equivalents (Total of 1d, 2f, and 3f)
Beginning cash and cash equivalents (From the previous period)
Ending cash and cash Equivalents (Sum of 4 and 5, should match the cash balance on the balance sheet)

Quick Read: 10 Best Financial Management Tools

Cash flow statement direct vs. indirect method

Although direct and indirect cash flow result in the same overall cash flow figures, they differ in ways of calculations and presentation.

Aspect	Direct method	Indirect method
Presentation	Lists cash receipts and payments	Begins with the net income from the income statement. It adjusts it for non-cash items and working capital changes
Transparency	Provides a clean and intuitive understanding of a company’s dashboard	Offers a clear reconciliation between net income and cash flow from operating activities but may be less intuitive
Data requirements	Requires a more detailed record-keeping of cash transactions,	Doesn’t need extensive cash transaction records
Popularity	Less popular	More popular

Quick Read: Difference Between Capital Expenditure and Revenue Expenditure

Why the cash flow statement indirect method is more popular?

The indirect method is more commonly used for preparing the cash flow statement, particularly the operating activities section, for several reasons:

1. Ease of data compilation

The indirect method uses information readily available from the income statement and balance sheet, making it easier to compile the necessary data. In contrast, the direct method requires more detailed data on cash receipts and payments, which can be challenging and time-consuming to gather from the existing accounting period.

2. Reconciliation of net income to cash flow

The indirect approach begins with net income and adjusts it for non-cash items. Next, it considers changes in working capital, providing a clear reconciliation between a company’s reported net income and actual cash flow from operations. It helps stakeholders understand the relationship between a company’s profitability and cash generation capacity, offering valuable insights into its financial health.

3. Emphasis on accrual accounting adjustments

The indirect method highlights the differences between accrual-based accounting (which records transactions when they are incurred) and cash-based accounting (which records transactions when cash is exchanged). 

4. Consistency and comparability

Since the indirect method is more widely used, it allows for greater consistency and comparability across different companies and industries. It makes it easier for stakeholders to conduct financial analysis, benchmarking, and comparative evaluations of companies’ financial performance.

Quick Read: TOP 10 Financial Planning Tools

How to prepare a cash flow statement using the indirect method?

Explanation of how to calculate each section of the statement?

Below are the formulas for calculating each section.

• Cash flow from operating activities = Net income + depreciation expense + decrease in accounts receivables  – increase in inventory + increase in accounts payable. Net income, depreciation expense, decrease in AR, and increase in AP are cash inflows. Hence they need to be added. Subtract the increase in inventory as it’s a cash outflow. 
• Cash flow from investing activities = Sale of PPE – purchase of PPE. The sale of property, plant, and equipment (PPE) is a cash inflow. Subtract the purchase of PPE from it to arrive at cash flow from investing activities.
• Cash flow from financing activities = Issuance of common stock – dividend payments – repayment of long-term debt. The issuance of common stock is a cash inflow. Subtract dividend payments and repayment of long-term debt from it to arrive at cash flow from financing activities.

Add all three cash flows to arrive at the total cash flow of a business. Dive into the example below for better understanding.

Cash flow statement indirect method example

Operating activities:

• Net income: Rs. 50,000
• Add: Depreciation expense: Rs. 10,000
• Decrease in accounts receivable: Rs. 5,000 (cash inflow)
• Increase in inventory: -Rs. 3,000 (cash outflow)
• Increase in accounts payable: Rs. 2,000 (cash inflow)
• Cash flow from operating activities: Rs. 64,000

Investing activities:

• Sale of PPE: Rs. 20,000 (cash inflow)
• Purchase of PPE: Rs. 15,000 (cash outflow)
• Cash flow from investing activities: Rs. 5,000

Financing activities:

• Issuance of common stock: Rs. 8,000 (cash inflow)
• Payment of dividends: Rs. 4,000 (cash outflow)
• Repayment of long-term debt: Rs. 10,000 (cash outflow)
• Cash flow from financing activities: Rs. 6,000

Total cash flow: Rs. 63,000 (operating) + Rs. 5,000 (investing) – Rs. 6,000 (financing) = Rs. 62,000

Quick Read: What is Capital Budgeting, Types, Methods, Process & Examples

Advantages and disadvantages of cash flow statement indirect method

Advantages of cash flow statement indirect methods

• Verifies the difference between reported earnings and actual cash.  The indirect cash flow method tells the difference between reported and actual earnings. It makes reconciliation easier and helps investors perform required due diligence.
• Ease of preparations. The indirect approach is simple as it relies on available and more accessible information. It saves time spent on tracking individual cash transactions in detail. 
• Highlights non-cash items. The indirect method considers amortization and depreciations, helping enterprises understand the impact of non-cash items on cash flow statements.

While there are advantages, there may be certain challenges.

Disadvantages of cash flow statement indirect methods 

• Less intuitive: The indirect approach doesn’t directly show operating activities’ cash inflows and outflows. Instead, it adjusts a company’s net income for non-cash items and changes in working capital, making it more difficult to understand the actual cash transactions.
• Less detailed information: The indirect method doesn’t provide detailed information on specific cash transactions, making it less useful for users who want to analyze individual cash inflows and outflows.
• Manipulation potential: The indirect process reliance on adjustments to net income can sometimes create opportunities for manipulation of reporting. Companies may be tempted to use aggressive accounting practices to boost net income, which could affect the reported cash flow from operating activities. 
• Limited usefulness for cash management: The indirect method doesn’t provide as much insight into cash management as the direct method. By not showing the specific cash inflows and outflows from operating activities, the indirect method may be less useful for managers who want to monitor and improve cash management within their organization.

Quick Read: What is Capital Investment, Types, How it Works & Examples

Analyzing the cash flow statement using the Indirect Method

1. Key financial ratios and metrics

While analyzing the cash flow statement, consider these key ratios and metrics. 

• Operating cash flow margin = Operating cash flow / net sales. The ratio measures how efficiently a company converts its sales into cash and can be useful for comparing the cash-generating efficiency of different companies in the same industry.
• Free cash flow = Operating cash flow – capital expenditures. It represents the cash generated by an organization that is available for distribution to shareholders, debt repayment, or reinvestment in the business.
• Cash flow to debt ratio =  Operating cash flow / total debt. It measures a company’s ability to cover its debt obligations using cash generated from operations.
• Cash flow per share = Operating cash flow/number of outstanding shares. This metric indicates the amount of cash generated per share and can help investors compare the cash-generating ability of different companies on a per-share basis.

2. Identifying trends and patterns in cash flows

A company with consistent positive cash flow from operating activities is generally considered financially stable, as it indicates that the company can generate sufficient cash to cover its operating expenses and reinvest in the business. Fluctuations in cash flows may signal potential issues, such as inconsistent revenue, inefficient cash management, or high capital expenditures. These fluctuations may warrant further investigation.

3. Assessing the financial health of a company

Whether positive or negative, cash flow trends can provide insights into a company’s overall financial health and direction. Growing cash flows may indicate a healthy, expanding business while declining cash flows could signal financial challenges or a contraction in operations.

Quick Read: What is Cost of Capital, Types, Formula & How to calculate it?

Common mistakes to avoid in cash flow statement indirect method

Common mistakes made when preparing the statement using the indirect method:

1. Incorrect adjustments to net income

Failing to properly adjust net income for non-cash items and changes in working capital can lead to an inaccurate representation of cash flow from operating activities.

How to prevent it?

You can review the income statement and balance sheets to identify non-cash items, such as depreciation and amortization, as well as changes in working capital accounts. Ensure that each adjustment is made correctly to arrive at an accurate cash flow from operating activities.

2. Misclassifying cash flows?

Incorrectly categorizing cash inflows and outflows among operating, investing, and financing activities can distort the cash flow statement.

How to prevent it?

Familiarize yourself with the appropriate classifications for each type of cash flow. 

• Operating activities include the business’s day-to-day operations
• Investing activities comprise the acquisition or disposal of long-term assets
• Financing activities focus on raising or repaying capital.

3. Overlooking changes in working capital

Neglecting to account for changes in working capital, such as accounts receivable, inventory, and accounts payable, can lead to inaccurate cash flow calculations.

How to prevent it?

Review the beginning and ending balance sheets to identify any changes in working capital accounts. Calculate the difference between the two balances for each account and adjust the cash flow from operating activities accordingly.

4. Failing to reconcile beginning and ending cash balances 

Not reconciling the beginning and ending cash balances can result in a cash flow statement that doesn’t accurately reflect the company’s cash position.

How to prevent it?

Ensure the sum of cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities is added to the beginning cash balance to arrive at the correct ending cash balance. Verify that the ending cash balance matches the cash balance on the balance sheet.

5. Omitting non-cash investing and financing activities

Some non-cash investing and financing activities, such as issuing stock for acquiring assets, should be disclosed separately in the cash flow statement even though they don’t directly affect cash flows.

How to prevent it?

Review the company’s financial transactions and identify any significant non-cash investing or financing activities that should be disclosed in the cash flow statement. Include a separate note or section in the statement to provide details about these activities.

Quick Read: 10 Best Finance Software

Conclusion

In conclusion, the indirect method for preparing a cash flow statement is an essential financial tool that helps businesses, investors, and stakeholders gain insights into a company’s cash-generating activities and overall financial health. By starting with net income and adjusting for non-cash items and changes in working capital, the indirect method provides a clear reconciliation between reported earnings and actual cash flows. ‘

Although the indirect method may not offer the same level of detail as the direct method, its widespread use and acceptance make it a valuable tool for financial analysis and decision-making.

Ultimately, understanding and effectively utilizing the indirect cash flow statement preparation method is vital for businesses and investors alike. It helps stakeholders make informed decisions based on the company’s ability to generate cash, meet its financial obligations, and invest in future growth.

FAQs