How to read a cash flow statement
The final piece of the company accounts puzzle is the cash flow statement.
This shows us how the company is running in terms of the day to day management of the flow of cash through the company. Where the money is coming from and where it is being spent are the primary considerations.
| Cash Flow Statement For Company Newstartup FY 2011 and 2012 |
| (Figures USD) | 2018 | 2019 |
| Net Earnings | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Additions to cash | ||
| Decrease in accounts receivable | 5,000 | 10,000 |
| Increase in accounts payable | 5,000 | 10,000 |
| Increase in taxes payable | 30,000 | 50,000 |
| Subtractions from cash | ||
| Increase in inventory | (50,000) | (60,000) |
| Net Cash from operations | 490,000 | 1,010,00 |
| Cash flow from investing | ||
| Equipment | (100,000) | (400,000) |
| Cash Flow from financing | ||
| Notes Payable | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Cash Flow | 395,000 | 615,000 |
This cash flow statement looks very healthy; the amount of cash at the end of the fiscal year 2019 has increased by nearly 50% from 395,000 to 615,000.
Here we will explain the different elements of the cash flow statement.
Net Earnings is the amount of cash after-tax left in the business from the previous reporting period. We make adjustments to the cash flow based on and differences in revenue, credit transactions, or expenses.
A decrease in accounts receivable means that the people who own the company money have paid off more of their debt, therefore increasing cash flow.
An increase in accounts payable infers that the company has, for example, purchased good on credit. Therefore this is reflected on the balance sheet as a liability and on the cash flow as an increase in net sales.
Increase in inventory. This is one of the most important elements of the cash flow statement. This shows us if the company is selling in line with its production capacity of is it is wasting cash on storing inventory for future sales.
Equipment is the amount of cash spent on the equipment during the period.
Notes payable is the amount of future loan repayments for the period. This is important as it shows us that the company can easily cover its loan payments with the cash it has available.
