Calculating Cash flow from Operations
Here are the steps for calculating the cash flow from operations using the indirect method:
Start with net income.
Add back non-cash expenses.
(Such as depreciation and amortization)
Adjust for gains and losses on sales on assets.
Add back losses
Subtract out gains
Account for changes in all non-cash current assets.
Account for changes in all current assets and liabilities except notes payable and dividends payable.
In general, candidates should utilize the following rules:
Increase in assets = use of cash (-)
Decrease in assets = source of cash (+)
Increase in liability or capital = source of cash (+)
Decrease in liability or capital = use of cash (-)
Cash Flow from Investment Activities
Cash Flow from investing activities includes purchasing and selling long-term assets and marketable securities (other than cash equivalents), as well as making and collecting on loans.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Cash Flow from financing activities includes issuing and buying back capital stock, as well as borrowing and repaying loans on a short- or long-term basis (issuing bonds and notes). Dividends paid are also included in this category, but the repayment of accounts payable or accrued liabilities is not.