Cash Flow Table: How to Properly Craft One?

A cash flow table is a financial tool used to track and analyse a business’s cash inflows and outflows. It also includes other financial data such as accrued income and expenses, income and expense cash transfers, net accruals, and net cash flow.

A cash flow table enables businesses to track their cash flow regularly, which is important to ensure that they have enough cash on hand to cover expenses and meet financial obligations.

Although, preparing a cash flow table adequately can be alittle complicated. But with a helpful guide on creating one, it doesn’t have to be. In this step-by-step guide, we will tell you how to craft a cash flow table easily.

Understanding cash flow tables

Cash flow tables are financial tools that provide a summary of a company's cash inflows and outflows over a specific period of time. They help businesses track the movement of their cash and identify potential cash flow issues before they become a problem.

Typically, a cash flow table includes several columns that capture different cash movements, from operating, investing, and financial activities. Cash inflows represent the amount of cash received by a company during a particular period, while cash outflows represent the cash paid out by the company during that same period.

Furthermore, to assess the overall financial health of the company, a cash flow table analysis is performed on the cash inflows and outflows for a given time period, such as a month or a year. There are several important factors to take into account, including the net cash flow for each period, the percentage of cash flows devoted to investing, operating, and financing activities, and any other notable changes in the cash flow patterns.

Analysing the cash flow table can assist businesses in identifying areas where they may need to change spending patterns, ascertain its free cash flow, adjust marketing strategies, or make other changes to improve their financial performance.

What is a cash flow statement?

A cash flow table and a cash flow statement are both financial tools used to track the inflow and outflow of cash within companies, but they differ in format and level of detail.

The cash flow statement (CFS) is a financial statement that shows the movement of cash and cash equivalents (CCE), indicating how much cash comes and goes out of business during a given period.

On the other hand, a cash flow table is a simplified version of a cash flow statement that lists the sources and uses of cash over a specific period, typically a month or a quarter.

Related article: Cash flow statement: what you need to know

Importance of having a cash flow table

The cash flow table in project management typically includes a list of all the cash inflows and outflows associated with the project and the expected timing of each. This allows the project team to anticipate when they will have cash coming in and going out and plan accordingly.

Some key purposes and importance of a cash flow tabulation are as follows:

• Summarise the cash coming in and going out of a business over a specific period.

• Monitor cash position and ensure the company has enough to cover expenses and obligations.

• Helps businesses identify potential cash flow issues by comparing inflows and outflows.

• Prepare detailed financial reports, such as cash flow statements, that give investors and lenders an analysis of a company’s cash flows.

• Enables businesses to assess their financial performance and make strategic decisions.

Additionally, a cash flow table helps in cash flow forecasts — identify potential shortfalls or surpluses in cash, allowing businesses to make informed decisions. A cash flow forecast can be created by analysing historical data, market trends, and other relevant factors that may impact the cash flow of the business.

Read more about Cash Flow Forecast in this article: How to make a cash flow forecast?

Tools to create cash flow table

There are several tools available to create a cash flow table, including:

• Spreadsheet software: Programs like Microsoft Excel, and Google Sheets have built-in templates and tools for creating cash flow tables.

• Online accounting software: Cloud-based accounting software such as Xero, and QuickBooks have cash flow management features that allow users to generate cash flow statements and tables.

• Business planning software: Software like LivePlan and BizPlan include cash flow projection tools to help businesses create accurate cash flow tables and forecasts.

• Financial modelling software: Applications such as Finbox and Tiller Money enable users to create detailed financial models, including cash flow tables, to help with financial planning and decision-making.

What is a cash flow spreadsheet?

A cash flow spreadsheet is a tool for tracking and analysing cash flow over a period. Cash flow tables can be created using spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel, and the information needed to fill in the table can be found in a team’s financial records such as income statements, and balance sheets.

A cash flow spreadsheet has sections for operating, investing, and financing activities and can be used to forecast cash flow, spot potential problems or opportunities, and make better business decisions.

How do you create a cash flow sheet?

To create a cash flow sheet, start by using a template that includes columns for each category of cash flow — operating, investing, and financing. Next, input the cash inflows and outflows in each section for each period, and calculate the net cash flow by subtracting the total cash outflows from the total cash inflows. This will give you a clear picture of all the cash flows for each activity.

Learn more about cash flow management in our video "How to set up the best cash flow monitoring ?"

How to create a cash flow table?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you craft the perfect cash flow table:

1. Identify the period for which you want to create the cash flow table. Depending on your needs, this could be a quarter, a month, or a year.

2. Create a table with columns for the period, cash inflows, cash outflows, accrued income, accrued expenses, income cash transfers, expense cash transfers, net accruals, and net cash flow.

3. In the period column, list the period for each row of the table. For example, if you are creating a cash flow table for a quarter, you would list the three months that make up the quarter.

4. In the cash inflows column, list all sources of cash that come into the business during the period. This could include sales revenue, interest income, or other sources of cash.

5. The cash outflows column lists all expenses or payments made by the business, such as operating expenses, capital expenditures, payments to suppliers, taxes, or other expenses.

6. In the accrued income/expense column, list any income earned/expense incurred during the period but not yet received/paid in cash. This could include accounts receivable/payable or interest income/expense accrued but not yet received/paid.

7. In the income/expense cash transfers column, list any cash transfers received/paid from other departments or projects within the business.

8. In the net accruals income/expense column, calculate the difference between the accrued income and the accrued expenses for each period. Similarly, calculate the difference between the cash inflows and outflows for each period in the net cash flow column.

9. Include a total row at the bottom of the table that shows the total cash inflows, total cash outflows, net accruals, and net cash flow for the entire period. You can also use a cash flow table calculator for the same.

How to calculate the cash flow?

To calculate cash flow, all you need to do is subtract the total cash outflows from the total cash inflows from all activities — operating, investing, and financing — over a specific period of time.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to calculate cash flow:

1. Determine all cash inflows: Cash sales, customer collections, interest and dividend payments, and loans received are some examples.

2. Determine all cash outflows: Payments to vendors, employee salaries, rent and other operating costs, loan repayments, and tax obligations are some examples.

3. Calculate the net cash flow: Deduct the cash inflows from the cash outflows for a specific period to get the net cash flow.

4. Examine the net cash flow: A positive net cash flow indicates that more money is coming in than is leaving, whereas, a negative net cash flow indicates that more money is leaving the company than is coming in, which indicates financial instability.

Cash Flow Table: Template

Here's an example of a cash flow statement:

XYZ Corporation

Statement of Cash Flows

For the Year Ended March 31, 2023

Category	Amount
Operating Activities
Cash Inflows	$100,000
Cash Outflows	($80,000)
Net Cash Flow from Operations	$20,000
Investing Activities
Cash Inflows	$50,000
Cash Outflows	($30,000)
Net Cash Flow from Investments	$20,000
Financing Activities
Cash Inflows	$30,000
Cash Outflows	($15,000)
Net Cash Flow from Finances	$15,000
Net Change in Cash	$55,000
Beginning Cash	$20,000
Ending Cash	$75,000

Key Takeaways

A cash flow statement is a financial statement that summarises a company’s cash inflows and outflows over a specific period. Businesses can use a simple cash flow table with columns for cash inflows, cash outflows, and net cash flow to track their inflows and outflows.

A cash flow table calculator can assist businesses in calculating their cash flows more accurately, allowing for better cash flow projection and decision-making.

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