Unraveling the Mysteries of Your Cash Flow Statement: A Tale of Indirect and Direct Methods!

thepremshah
2 min readJul 23, 2023

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Behold, the Cash Flow Statement, shrouded in three enchanting sections:

➡️ Operating cash flows / Cash flow from operations
➡️ Investing cash flows / Cash flows from investing
➡️ Financing cash flows / Cash flows from financing

⚫ But wait! Do you know the captivating secret that sets the indirect and direct cash flow statements apart? Let’s venture deeper into this financial realm! 💰💫

1️⃣ The Enigma of the Indirect Method 🔍💭

In this mystical journey, you shall:

✔️ Begin with net income from the Income Statement, a creation of accrual accounting
✔️ Gaze into the magical process of de-accrual, converting it into tangible cash
✔️ Delve into the realm of non-cash transactions, where depreciation, amortization, and more dance in harmony
✔️ Witness the graceful adjustments for non-operating items, woven into the tapestry of the cash flow statement
✔️ Experience the enchantment of changes in current assets and liabilities, where receivables, payables, inventories, and more intertwine

2️⃣ The Elegance of the Direct Method 🌠✨

In this wondrous path, you shall:

✔️ Directly traverse the lands of net cash collections and disbursements during the period
✔️ Glimpse the magic of cash-based inflows and outflows from operations, free from the confines of reconciliation
✔️ Embrace the direct inclusion of:
▪️ Net cash from customers
▪️ Cash paid to employees
▪️ Cash paid to suppliers
▪️ Cash paid for interest
▪️ Cash paid for taxes

⚫ A choice awaits you, dear reader, in the realm of accounting frameworks, where the indirect and direct methods beckon.

⚫ Behold! Investors and analysts, yearning for transparency, often find favor in the direct method, for it reveals the very essence of cash received and paid during the period.

⚫ Yet, most companies, drawn by the allure of ease, embrace the indirect method, unlocking its secrets with swiftness.

Embark on this spellbinding journey, and let the magic of your Cash Flow Statement illuminate the path to financial wisdom! 🌟💰📈

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