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The direct method of calculating cash flow tracks actual cash coming in and going out of a business. It focuses on real transactions, making it easier to see how much cash a company generates and spends.
The following formula is used to calculate the cash flow of an organisation:
Net Cash Flow = Total Cash Inflows − Total Cash Outflows
Let’s take an example to understand how to apply this formula for cash flow to real-world calculations. Imagine a small shop records the following cash transactions in a month:
Now, applying the formula:
Net Cash Flow = (8,00,000 + 20,000) − (3,50,000 + 2,00,000 + 50,000 + 30,000)
= 8,20,000 - 6,30,000 = ₹1,90,000
Therefore, net cash flow = ₹1,90,000
This means the shop has ₹1,90,000 in cash after covering expenses. If the number were negative, it would indicate that more money is going out than coming in, which could be a warning sign for the business.
Understanding the differences between cash flow and fund flow is essential for analysing a company’s financial health. While both terms deal with the movement of money, they serve distinct purposes in financial management. Cash flow focuses on the liquidity of a company, showing how cash moves in and out over a specific period. Fund flow, on the other hand, deals with changes in the company’s financial position by analysing variations in working capital.
Aspect | Cash flow | Fund flow |
Meaning | Denotes the inflow and outflow of cash and cash equivalents during a specific period. | Based on the concept of variations in working capital over a time period. |
Purpose | Helps in cash budgeting by tracking liquid cash movements. | Helps in capital budgeting by analysing the sources and uses of funds. |
Financial focus | Measures the net cash flow of the company to determine liquidity. | Gauges the financial position of the company by examining long-term fund movements. |
Statement coverage | Documents the changes in the opening and closing balance of cash and cash equivalents. | Captures the source and application of funds over a period. |
Disclosures | Provides all disclosures regarding cash inflow and outflow, including operational, financing, and investing activities. | Identifies the sources of fund generation and their allocation within the company. |
Inclusion in financial reports | A cash flow statement is a key part of the financial statement and is mandatory under accounting standards. | A fund flow statement is not a mandatory part of financial statements and is used for internal analysis. |
Planning and decision making | Used for short-term financial planning and decision-making related to liquidity management. | Used for long-term financial planning and decision-making related to investments and capital restructuring. |
Analysis approach | Focuses on actual cash transactions, ensuring that businesses can meet daily operational expenses. | Focuses on the movement of funds between different accounts and how financial resources are managed. |
Components | Includes cash from operating, investing, and financing activities. | Includes sources of funds (such as equity issuance, loans, and retained earnings) and applications of funds (such as asset purchases and debt repayments). |
Impact on business | Indicates whether a company has enough liquidity to sustain daily operations. | Helps in identifying structural financial changes and the need for external funding. |
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This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.
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