Cash flow refers to the money coming into a business (inflows) and going out of a company (outflows). It is crucial for all businesses, irrespective of their size, to monitor the sources of incoming funds and how these funds are utilized. This data is compiled and showcased in monthly or quarterly cash flow reports and annual cash flow statements.
Cash flow should be distinct from revenue and income. Revenue is the total income a business generates from sales, excluding expenses. Income, on the other hand, is the profit remaining after deducting expenses from revenue.
Purpose of Cash Flow
To ensure profitable business operations, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the incoming and outgoing finances. The purpose is to keep a positive cash flow by making more than what is spent. This insight into cash flow allows businesses, investors, and creditors to evaluate their financial well-being and decide if they can:
- Meet short- and long-term debts.
- Reinvest in the business.
- Provide returns to shareholders.
- Cover all operational costs such as supplier payments, employee salaries, and rent.
- Allocate resources for future financial requirements.
Key Components of Cash Flow
To manage cash flow effectively, it’s crucial to differentiate between cash inflow and cash outflow, which are closely tied to operations, investing, and financing activities.
Cash Inflow
Cash inflow refers to the money that flows into a business. The primary source of cash inflow is revenue generated from sales, which is the core of most businesses. However, some companies may also receive funds from investments, loans, and, in some cases, grants or subsidies. These inflows are crucial to covering the business’s daily operations and making future investments.
Cash Outflow
Cash outflow refers to the funds leaving a business. This includes expenses such as rent, salaries, payments to suppliers for goods or services, loan repayments, and obligations such as taxes and debt servicing. Managing outflows is crucial for maintaining a business’s financial stability and ensuring its continuous operation.
The Three Types of Cash Flow
Cash flow originates from three primary sources: operations, investments, and financing.
Cash Flow from Operations
It refers to the expenses incurred in producing goods (such as inventory, materials, and labor) and the revenue generated from selling those goods. Analyzing this cash flow helps determine a business’s financial capacity to sustain or grow its activities and informs leaders about the necessity of external funding.
Cash Flow from Investments
It refers to the funds allocated to and generated from different business investments, such as investments in physical assets, securities (such as stocks and bonds), and research and development (R&D).
Cash Flow from Financing
It refers to the funds utilized to support a business, encompassing debt, equity, and dividend dealings. Companies use this data to communicate their debt-to-equity ratio to investors, who primarily assess the companies’ current and future profitability.
Businesses can compute various forms of cash flow (refer to the next section) to inform significant operational and financial choices. For instance, imagine a standalone restaurant aiming to grow into a chain. Before launching a new branch, the management team must comprehend the cash generated by the existing restaurant from operations, investments, and financing. This analysis will indicate if they possess adequate funds to meet the initial and forthcoming expansion expenses.
Conclusion
In today’s volatile economy, businesses must skillfully manage their cash flow. Preparing precise and simple cash flow statements, balance sheets, and income statements can help you understand a company’s financial details. This data will empower you to make informed economic choices for the present and the future.
Acumatica provides businesses peace of mind through its cloud-based platform and seamlessly integrated Financial Management Suite and Cash Management System. These solutions offer the necessary features, reporting tools, and functionality to handle all cash flow requirements effectively. Additionally, the financial data stored in a single application is accessible anytime.
Read Related Blog Topic: Three Ways Cloud ERP Can Improve Cash Flow.
Vijay comes with a vast experience in ERP and enterprise solutions space with about 20 years of experience in various packaged application like Acumatica, SAP, Orion, Salesforce.com, SugarCRM and, SalesLogix.