What is the purpose of a funds flow statement and compare with cash flow statements?

Definition of Cash Flow and Funds Flow Statements

The cash flow statement, known formally as the Statement of Cash Flows, reports a company's change in cash and cash equivalents from one balance sheet date to another.

The major cash flows are presented in one of three classifications:

  • Operating activities
  • Investing activities
  • Financing activities

The cash flow statement has been required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) since 1988, when it issued its Statement No. 95.

The funds flow statement was required prior to 1988. Generally, the funds flow statement summarized a company's changes in its working capital from one balance sheet date to another.

Example of Cash Flow Statement

For an example of the cash flow statement, search for a corporation with publicly-traded common stock and select Investor Relations. Then select annual reports to the SEC. From the financial section of the Form 10-K look at the corporation's Statement of Cash Flows.

Cash Flow and Fund Flow Differences

Cash flow refers to the overall cash generated by the firm in a specific accounting period. It is calculated as the total of cash from operations, cash flow from financing, and cash flow from investing activities. In contrast, the fund flow of the company records the movement of the cash in and out of the company during the specified time.

Cash and fund flow are completely different statements with varied scopes and purposes.

  • The cash flow statement is one of the four important financial statements every investor should look at. It is prevalent and useful when one wants to know about a company’s liquidity position.
  • On the other hand, the fund flow statement talks about a company’s financial position in a given period. It talks about sources of funds and the application of funds.
What is the purpose of a funds flow statement and compare with cash flow statements?

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Source: Difference Between Cash Flow and Fund Flow (wallstreetmojo.com)

Cash Flow vs Fund Flow Infographics

What is the purpose of a funds flow statement and compare with cash flow statements?

Key Differences Between Cash Flow and Fund Flow

  •  The cash flow statement is one of the four financial statements every investor looks at to understand the financial position. The fund flow statement, on the other hand, isn’t a financial statement.
  •   The cash flow statement is prepared so that the company’s net cash flow can be calculated at the end of a particular period. A fund flow statement is prepared to see the sources and uses of funds during a particular period and how that “change in the funds” affects the company’s working capital.
  • The cash flow statementA Statement of Cash Flow is an accounting document that tracks the incoming and outgoing cash and cash equivalents from a business.read more is created by following a cash basis of accounting. On the other hand, the fund flow statement is created by following the accrual basis of accounting.
  • The cash flow statement is used for cash budgetingCash budget refers to cash inflows and outflows estimations made by a company's management over a given period to evaluate whether the business has adequate cash & cash equivalents to meet its operational needs in the coming future.read more. Fund flow statementFund flow statement is a statement that compares the two balance sheets by analyzing the sources of funds (debt and equity capital) and the application of funds (assets) and its reasons for any differences. It helps the company see through where their money has been spent and from where they have received the money (long-term funds raised by issues of shares, debentures, and sale of non-current assets).read more is used for capital budgeting.
  • The cash flow statement is prepared to see the short-term effect of cash flow. The fund flow statement is prepared for a long-term purpose.

Comparative Table

Basis for Comparison Cash Flow Fund Flow
Inherent meaning Cash flow is based on a narrow concept called “cash.” Fund flow is based on a wider concept called “working capital.”
Usefulness The cash flow statement’s utility is finding out the net cash flow. The utility of fund flow is to understand the financial position of the company.
Source The cash flow statement starts with the opening balance and, after adjustments, comes out with net cash inflow/outflow. The fund flow statement calculates the difference between sources of funds and the application of funds.
WC shown As shown in the operating activitiesOperating activities generate the majority of the company's cash flows since they are directly linked to the company's core business activities such as sales, distribution, and production.read more of the cash flow statement; As shown in the statement of changes in working capital;
Type of accounting Follows the cash basis of accountingCash Basis Accounting is an accounting method in which all the company's revenues are accounted for only when there is an actual cash receipt, and all the expenses are recognized when they are paid. Small companies and individuals generally follow this accounting method.read more; Follows the accrual basis of accountingAccrual Accounting is an accounting method that instantly records revenues & expenditures after a transaction occurs, irrespective of when the payment is received or made. read more;
Effect Through cash flow analysis, we get to know the net cash flow. Through fund flow analysis, we get to know the change in working capital.
Is it a financial statementFinancial statements are written reports prepared by a company's management to present the company's financial affairs over a given period (quarter, six monthly or yearly). These statements, which include the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flows, and Shareholders Equity Statement, must be prepared in accordance with prescribed and standardized accounting standards to ensure uniformity in reporting at all levels.read more? Yes. No.
Term Short term analysis of cash flow; Long term analysis of working capital;
Used for Cash budgeting. Capital budgeting.

Conclusion

If we compare cash flow and fund flow, cash flow is more prevalent among investors and more used. But if we look at them separately, we will see that both serve a meaningful purpose.

Cash flow serves a company and its investors and potential investors by showing exactly how much cash is injected into the company and how much cash is being paid. On the other hand, a fund flow statement helps a company set up a capital budgetCapital budgeting is the planning process for the long-term investment that determines whether the projects are fruitful for the business and will provide the required returns in the future years or not. It is essential because capital expenditure requires a considerable amount of funds.read more and take necessary steps regarding the specific items which affect the “sources & uses of funds” in the company.

Video

This article has been a guide to cash flow vs. fund flow. Here we discuss the top differences between cash flow and fund flow statements, infographics, and a comparative table. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more about accounting –

  • Capital Budgeting Techniques
  • Accrual vs Provision
  • Accrual vs Deferral
  • Cash Flow Analysis
  • Cash Flow Statement Importance

Reader Interactions

What is the purpose of fund flow statement?

A fund flow refers to the inflow and outflow of funds or assets for a company and is often measured on a monthly or quarterly basis. A fund flow statement reveals the reasons for these changes or anomalies in the financial position of a company between two balance sheets.

How important is the cash flow statement as compared to the other financial statements?

Also known as the statement of cash flows, the CFS helps its creditors determine how much cash is available (referred to as liquidity) for the company to fund its operating expenses and pay down its debts. The CFS is equally as important to investors because it tells them whether a company is on solid financial ground.

What are the purposes and or use of income statement and cash flow statement?

A cash flow statement sets out a business's cash flows from its operating activities, its financing activities, and its investment activities. An income statement provides users with a business's revenues and gains, as well as expenses and losses, over a specific period of time.

What is meant by financial statement analysis explain fund flow and cash flow?

A fund flow statement is a statement prepared to analyse the reasons for changes in the financial position of a company between two balance sheets. It portrays the inflow and outflow of funds i.e. sources of funds and applications of funds for a particular period.