Preparation of a Cash Flow Statement

In preparing a statement of cash flows, the term cash is broadly defined to include both cash and cash equivalents. Cash comprises cash on hand and demand deposit with banks. Cash equivalents consist of short term, highly liquid investments such as treasury bills, commercial paper, and money market funds. Such investments are made solely for the purpose of generating a return on funds that are temporary idle.

Instead of simply holding cash, most companies invest their excess cash reserves in these types of interest bearing assets that can be easily converted into cash. These short term liquid assets are usually included in marketable securities on the balance sheet. Since such assets are equivalent to cash, they are included with cash in preparing a statement of cash flows. Cash flows are inflows and outflows of cash and cash equivalents. It means the movement of cash into the organization and movement of cash out of the organization. The difference between the cash inflow and outflow is known as net cash flow which can be either net cash inflow or net cash outflow.

Purpose of cash flow statement:
The basic purpose of a statement of cash flows is to provide information about the cash receipts and cash payments of a business entity during the accounting period. The term cash flows include both cash receipts and cash payments. In addition, the statement is intended to provide information about the investing and financing activities of the company during the period. A statement of cash flows assists investors, creditors and others in assessing such factors as:

* The company's ability to generate positive cash flows in future period; * The company's ability to meet its obligations and to pay the dividends; * The company's need for external financing; * Reasons for differences between the amount of net income and the related net cash flows from operating activities; * Both the cash and non cash aspects of the company's investment and