Cash flow and its types. Cash flow is a fundamental tool for success in the financial management of all types of business. It provides a detailed view of cash inflows and outflows during a specific period of a company.
This allows managers to better understand the company's financial health and make assertive decisions based on concrete information. But, it is important to understand that there are several types of cash flow. Where each of them has its different characteristics and functionalities.
This is precisely why we are going to show here the 7 main types of cash flow and how they can be used to optimize a company's financial management. Everything in a practical and summarized way! You want to receive tips and information to set up your own business.
So subscribe to this channel and stay up to date with everything you need to know to open your own company. In order for each type of cash flow to be very clear, you first need to understand very well what cash flow is. In short, it serves as a financial management instrument.
Which projects all inflows and outflows of the company's financial resources for future periods. It is the control of accounts payable and receivable. With this, it indicates what the cash balance will be for the projected period.
In Finance, cash flow refers to the flow of money into the company's cash flow. In other words, the amount of cash received and spent by a company during a defined period of time. In addition, it will show control of the company's operational cycle activities.
In other words, they are all the short-term buying and selling activities of goods and services of the business and their respective payments and receipts. This way, you will have more effective control and management. Based on numbers that will help you make decisions in the present period, but also for the future.
So, if you want to learn more about Cash Flow, which we highly recommend, watch our practical video. To do this, just click here or on the link we leave in the description. With that in mind, let's now look at the 7 main types of cash flow.
1. OPERATIONAL CASH FLOW This type records cash inflows and outflows related to the business's operational activities. Such as sales of products or services, payment of salaries, purchase of raw materials, among others.
The main objective of this type of cash flow is to evaluate the company's ability to generate cash from its main operations. 2. DIRECT CASH FLOW In the direct cash flow method, cash inflows and outflows are recorded directly as they occur.
In other words, without considering the accounting entries of income and expenses. This means that each cash transaction is listed individually, including receipts from customers, payments to suppliers, operating expenses, among others. This method offers a clear and direct view of the company's cash transactions, facilitating understanding by managers and investors.
It consists of the initial, operational and final cash balance, in addition to accounts payable and receivable. Added to this, all cash inflows and outflows are recorded as they occur. Which makes it easier to identify the source and destination of the money.
3. INDIRECT CASH FLOW In this type, the indirect cash flow method does not offer a direct representation of cash inflows and outflows. Instead, it starts from net income and makes adjustments to reflect changes in the company's net cash over the accounting period.
Therefore, to use this method, it is recommended to be familiar with the Balance Sheet and the Income Statement (DRE). Because the data is extracted from these financial statements. In other words, the net profit (or loss) reported in the income statement is considered here .
And then adjusts that value to reflect changes in the company's net cash during the accounting period. In this way, adjustments are made to account for items that affect net profit, but do not result in cash inflows or outflows in the same period. Thus, the main characteristics of indirect cash flow include: It starts with net income, which is the bottom line on the income statement, and adjusts it to calculate net cash generated from operations.
Adjustments are made to account for changes in current assets and liabilities. Such as inventories, accounts receivable and accounts payable, which affect net cash. It is more aligned with traditional accounting principles and is widely used in financial reporting.
4. FREE CASH FLOW This flow is a crucial measure of a company's ability to generate capital in the short, medium and long term. It evaluates the balance resulting from the comparison between operating cash flow and the investments necessary to maintain or expand operations.
This flow indicates the amount of cash available after the company has made all payments and investments necessary to maintain or expand its operations. In other words, when this balance is positive, it means that revenues exceed expenses. Therefore, this indicator is a valuable tool for evaluating a company's ability to generate cash in the short, medium and long term.
Furthermore, it works as a very strong tool for analyzing and controlling business performance and its growth trend. Thus, it can be used to maintain the company's working capital or to make investments. For example, if there is an excess of capital in a given period, managers can make strategic decisions to use this resource productively.
Whether reinvesting in the business or looking for growth opportunities. 5. DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW The main objective of this type is to determine the period of time necessary to recover the capital invested in a business.
Additionally, it is often used to value a company, especially in situations such as mergers or business sales. In a practical way, this model offers a projected vision of the resources that the company will generate in the future. At the same time, this projected value is then added to the current estimated value, taking into account factors such as risk and time associated with this estimate.
Therefore, it provides a valuable perspective on the potential return on investment. 6. PROJECTED CASH FLOW Projected cash flow is an estimate of the company's future cash inflows and outflows.
In other words, it is projecting the business's future expenses and revenues. It is generally based on financial projections that take into account factors such as expected sales, operating costs, asset investments and changes in market conditions. Projected cash flow is essential for long-term financial planning and allows the company to anticipate and prepare for future challenges and opportunities.
7. INVESTMENT CASH FLOW This cash flow focuses on the company's investment activities. Such as buying or selling long-term assets.
This includes acquiring equipment, buying or selling properties or even investing in other companies, for example. Likewise, to guarantee positive results and accumulation of resources, this type of cash flow requires strict monitoring of all financial transactions carried out by the company. Anyway, these were some examples of the main types of cash flow.
However, it is up to you and your company to analyze which one fits best according to your needs and objectives, agreed? Furthermore, the types we talk about here are not the only ones, but they are some of the most used by professionals. So, if you have any others that you know, write them in the comments and share them with us!
Likewise, if you want to know how to develop and manage a professional and efficient cash flow, watch the video that explains the mandatory pillars that every cash flow needs to consider. If you want to watch it, just click on this button above or on the link we leave in the description. And just to recap what we talked about here: 1.
OPERATIONAL CASH FLOW 2. DIRECT CASH FLOW 3. INDIRECT CASH FLOW 4.
FREE CASH FLOW 5. DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW 6. PROJECTED CASH FLOW 7.
INVESTMENT CASH FLOW We hope you enjoyed it! And if you want to know more about how to set up and manage your own business, visit our YouTube channel where we have several videos on this subject, okay? And if you liked it, share this video with your friends and family to help them too!
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