Chapter 17: Statement of Cash Flows

LO1: The usefulness and format of the statement of cash flows

- Statement of Cash Flows reports the cash receipts, cash payments, and net change in cash resulting
from operating, investing, and financing activities during a period. It provides information to help
assess:
 Entity’s ability to generate future cash flows.
 Entity’s ability to pay dividends and meet obligations.
 Reasons for difference between net income and net cash provided (used) by operating
activities.
 Cash investing and financing transactions during the period.

- Classification of cash flows:

 Operating activities
- Income statement
 Cash inflows: Sale of goods or services, interest and dividend received.
 Cash outflows: Inventory, wages, taxes, interest, expenses.
 Investing activities
- Investments and long-term assets
 Cash inflows:
 Sale of property, land, and equipment.
 Sales of investments.
 Collection of principal on loans.
 Cash outflows:
 Purchase property, land, and equipment.
 Purchase investments.
 Make loans.
 Financing activities - Long-term liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 Cash inflows: Sale of common stock, issuance of debt (bonds & notes).
 Cash outflows: Dividends; redeem long-term debt or reacquire capital stock
(treasury stock).

- Significant noncash activities:

 Direct issuance of common stock to purchase assets.
 Conversion of bonds into common stock.
 Issuance of debt to purchase assets.
 Exchanges of plant assets.
→ Report noncash activities in a separate schedule (bottom of the statement) or a
separate note to the financial statements.

- Format of the Statement of Cash Flows:

LO2: Prepare a statement of cash flows using the indirect method
- Three steps:
1. Determine net cash provided/used by operating activities by converting net income from
an accrual basis to a cash basis.

2. Analyze changes in noncurrent asset and liability accounts and record as investing and financing
activities, or disclose as noncash transactions.
3. Compare the net change in cash on the statement of cash flows with the change in the cash account
reported on the balance sheet to make sure the amounts agree.
→ Indirect method is favored because it’s easier and less costly to prepare, and it focuses on differences between
net income and net cash flow from operating activities.
LO3: Analyze the statement of cash flows
Free Cash Flow: the cash remaining from operations after adjustment for capital expenditures and dividends.
Capital expenditures comprise major purchases that will be used in the future, including: Plant and equipment
purchases; building expansion and improvements; hardware purchases, such as computers; vehicles to transport
goods. Can be obtained from Balance Sheet, under Property, Land and Equipment section.