The cash flow statement presented using the direct method is easy to read because it lists all of the major operating cash receipts and payments during the period by source. In other words, it lists where the cash inflows came from, usually customers, and where the cash outflows went, typically employees, vendors, etc.

After all of the sources are listed, the total cash payments are then subtracted from the cash receipts to compute the net cash flow from operating activities.

Then the investing and financing activities added to arrive at the net cash increase or decrease. Receipts received from Customers Payments paid to Suppliers Payments paid to Employees Interest Payments Income Tax Payments. As you can see, listing these payments gives the financial statement user a great deal of information where receipts are coming from and where payments are going to.

Preparation of cash flows statement using Direct Method Example 1 | Mohsin Blog

This is one of the main advantages of the direct method compared with the indirect method. Investors, creditors, and management can actually see where the company is collecting funds from and whom it is paying funds to. Business events are recorded with income statement and balance sheet accounts like sales, materials, and inventory.

For example, in order to figure out the receipts and payments from each source, you have to use a unique formula. The receipts from customers equals net sales for the period plus the beginning accounts receivable less the ending accounts receivable. Similarly the payments made to suppliers is calculated by adding the purchases, ending inventory, and beginning accounts payable then subtracting the beginning inventory and ending accounts payable.

Keep in mind that these formulas only work if accounts receivable is only used for credit sales and accounts payable is only used for credit account purchases. Plus, the direct method also requires a reconciliation report be created to check the accuracy of the operating activities.

The reconciliation itself is very similar to the indirect method of reporting operating activities.

Indirect Method of Cash Flow Statement in Excel Format – Financial Planning Software

It stars with net income and adjusts non-cash transaction like depreciation and changes in balance sheet accounts. Since creating this reconciliation is about as much work as just preparing an indirect statement, most companies simply choose not to use the direct method. I know what you are probably thinking. If you have to do an additional reconciliation, why is it called the direct method.

Prepare a Statement of Cash Flows (Using Direct Method)

It seems like a whole like more work. It has to do with how the operating cash flows are derived. This method looks directly at the source of the cash flows and reports it on the statement. This is the only difference between the direct and indirect methods. The investing and financing activities are reported exactly the same on both reports. As you can see, all of the operating activities are clearly listed by their sources. This categorization does make it useful to read, but the costs of producing it for outweigh the benefits to the external users.

This is why FASB has never made it a requirement to issue statements using this method. MENU Accounting Topics CPA Exam Quizzes Examples Dictionary Careers Pro Course.

Balance Sheet Statement of Retained Earnings. Search for more articles about the this method: Accounting Topics accounting courses accounting principles accounting cycle financial statements financial ratios.

cash flow statement format in excel direct method

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