# Using Financial Information and Accounting

## The Statement of Cash Flows

1. Why is the statement of cash flows an important source of information?
Net profit or loss is one measure of a company’s financial performance. However, creditors and investors are also keenly interested in how much cash a business generates and how it is used. The statement of cash flows, a summary of the money flowing into and out of a firm, is the financial statement used to assess the sources and uses of cash during a certain period, typically one year. All publicly traded firms must include a statement of cash flows in their financial reports to shareholders. The statement of cash flows tracks the firm’s cash receipts and cash payments. It gives financial managers and analysts a way to identify cash flow problems and assess the firm’s financial viability.
Using income statement and balance sheet data, the statement of cash flows divides the firm’s cash flows into three groups:
1. Cash flow from operating activities: Those related to the production of the firm’s goods or services
2. Cash flow from investment activities: Those related to the purchase and sale of fixed assets
3. Cash flow from financing activities: Those related to debt and equity financing
Delicious Desserts’ statement of cash flows for 2018 is presented in . It shows that the company’s cash and marketable securities have increased over the last year. And during the year the company generated enough cash flow to increase inventory and fixed assets and to reduce accounts payable, accruals, notes payable, and long-term debt.

### Summary of Learning Outcomes

1. Why is the statement of cash flows an important source of information?
The statement of cash flows summarizes the firm’s sources and uses of cash during a financial-reporting period. It breaks the firm’s cash flows into those from operating, investment, and financing activities. It shows the net change during the period in the firm’s cash and marketable securities.