Cash flow is one of the most important long-term indicators for the overall financial health of a business. For a business to enjoy long-term success, sufficient cash must always be on-hand to accomplish various things including paying worker salaries, resolving immediate debts, and paying the company’s normal operating costs. Businesses also need cash on-hand to pay for expenses, repay bank loans, pay taxes, and to purchase new assets to fuel the company’s future growth. A company’s cash flow is documented in their cash flow statement. The cash flow statement, which is also known as a statement of cash flows, is a financial document that summarizes the amount of both cash and cash equivalents entering and exiting a company during a given time period. The cash flow statement provides useful context for both a company’s balance sheet and income statement and has been a mandatory part of all corporate financial reports since 1987. The cash flow report is important because it informs investors, creditors, company owners, and other interested parties of the business cash position of the company and can act as a strong indicator of a company’s overall financial health.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the purpose of the statement of cash flows.

• Identify the major classifications of cash flows.

• Recognize the difference between net income and net cash flow from operating activities.

• Calculate net cash flows from operating activities using the indirect method and using the direct method.

• Recognize net cash flows from a company’s investing and financing activities.

• Identify sources of information for a company’s statement of cash flows.

• Recognize special problems that can surface when preparing a statement of cash flows.

CPE Credit: 3 CPE Credits for CPAs

Level: Intermediate

Instructional Method: Self-Study

NASBA Field of Study: Accounting

Program Prerequisites: Basic understanding of accounting concepts

Advanced Preparation: None

Additional Contents : Complete, no additional material needed
Advance Preparation : None
Intended Participants : Any CPA looking to maintain or enhance their professional competence
Course Declaration : Participants must complete the final examination within one year of purchase. A minimum passing grade of 70% or better is required to receive CPE
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