Appendix: Using the Direct Method to Prepare the Statement of Cash Flows | Accounting for Managers | (2024)

Question: The same four steps apply to preparing a statement of cash flows using the direct method as with the indirect method. The only difference is how the operating activities section is presented in step 1; all other steps are the same as presented in the chapter. Although presentation of the operating activities section using the direct method differs from the indirect method, the end result is exactly the same. How does step 1 differ using the direct method?

Answer: Rather than adjusting net income from an accrual basis to a cash basis using the indirect method, the direct method simply presents the income statement on a cash basis. The format of the operating activities section using the direct method is presented in Figure 12.10 "Operating Activities Format Using the Direct Method".

The first item shown in Figure 12.10 "Operating Activities Format Using the Direct Method", cash receipts from customers, is revenue (or sales) on a cash basis. The second item, cash payments to suppliers, is cost of goods sold on a cash basis. The third item, cash payments for operating expenses (also called selling and administrative expenses), is operating expenses on a cash basis. The fourth item, cash payments for interest expense, is interest expense on a cash basis. And the fifth item, cash payments for income taxes, is income tax expense on a cash basis. Cash receipts minus cash payments results in cash provided by operating activities.

Adjustments must be made to each income statement item to convert income statement information from an accrual basis to a cash basis. These adjustments will be described next using the same information for Home Store, Inc., presented earlier in the chapter. The income statement and balance sheet for Home Store, Inc., are presented again in Figure 12.11 "Income Statement and Balance Sheet (Home Store, Inc.)". We will start at the top of the income statement with sales and work our way down item-by-item making adjustments to convert each item to a cash basis.

Converting Cost of Goods Sold to a Cash Basis

Question: How is cost of goods sold on an accrual basis converted to cost of goods sold on a cash basis?

Answer: Two adjustments must be made to cost of goods sold to calculate cash paid to suppliers. First, increases in inventory are added to cost of goods sold, and conversely, decreases in inventory are deducted from cost of goods sold. Since inventory for Home Store, Inc., increased $66,000, cost of goods sold is increased $66,000. Second, increases in accounts payable are deducted from cost of goods sold, and conversely, decreases in accounts payable are added to cost of goods sold. Since accounts payable increased $1,000, cost of goods sold is decreased $1,000. These 2 adjustments result in cash paid to suppliers of $611,000 (= $546,000 cost of goods sold + $66,000 increase in inventory − $1,000 increase in accounts payable).

Here’s how cost of goods sold on a cash basis appears in the operating activities section of the statement of cash flows for Home Store, Inc.:

Converting Operating Expenses to a Cash Basis

Question: How are operating expenses on an accrual basis converted to operating expenses on a cash basis?

Answer: Two adjustments must be made to operating expenses (also called selling and administrative expenses) to calculate cash payments for operating expenses. First, increases in prepaid expenses are added to operating expenses, and conversely, decreases in prepaid expenses are deducted from operating expenses. Since prepaid expenses for Home Store, Inc., decreased $2,000, operating expenses are decreased $2,000. Second, increases in accrued liabilities are deducted from operating expenses, and conversely, decreases in accrued liabilities are added to operating expenses. Home Store, Inc., does not have any accrued liabilities and, therefore, no adjustment is necessary for accrued liabilities. The 1 adjustment to operating expenses at Home Store, Inc., results in cash payments for operating expenses of $118,000 (= $120,000 selling and administrative expenses − $2,000 decrease in prepaid expenses).

Here’s how operating expenses on a cash basis appears in the operating activities section of the statement of cash flows for Home Store, Inc.:

Depreciation Expense

Question: How is depreciation expense handled when using the direct method?

Answer: Since depreciation is a noncash expense, it is not included in the statement of cash flows using the direct method.

Converting Interest Expense to a Cash Basis

Question: How is interest expense on an accrual basis converted to interest expense on a cash basis?

Answer: Interest expense of $15,000 shown on the income statement does not necessarily represent cash paid for interest expense. The adjustment rule used to convert interest expense to cash payments for interest expense is as follows: increases in interest payable are deducted from interest expense, and conversely, decreases in interest payable are added to interest expense. Since Home Store, Inc., had no interest payable this year or last year, no adjustment to interest expense is necessary.

Here’s how interest expense on a cash basis appears in the operating activities section of the statement of cash flows for Home Store, Inc.:

Loss on Sale of Equipment

Question: How is the loss on sale of equipment handled when using the direct method?

Answer: Because the loss on sale of equipment is included as part of the proceeds from the sale of equipment in the investing activities section, this item is not included in the operating activities section. This holds true for both the direct and indirect methods.

Converting Income Tax Expense to a Cash Basis

Question: How is income tax expense on an accrual basis converted to income tax expense on a cash basis?

Answer: Income tax expense of $65,000 shown on the income statement does not represent cash paid for income taxes. The adjustment rule used to convert income tax expense to cash payments for income taxes is: Increases in income taxes payable are deducted from income tax expense, and conversely, decreases in income taxes payable are added to income tax expense. (The same rules apply to companies that have deferred income taxes.) Since income taxes payable decreased $9,000, income tax expense is increased $9,000. Thus cash payments for income taxes totaled $74,000 (= $65,000 income tax expense + $9,000 decrease in income taxes payable).

Here’s how income tax expense on a cash basis appears in the operating activities section of the statement of cash flows for Home Store, Inc.:

Question: What does the completed operating activities section for Home Store, Inc., look like using the direct method?

Answer: The operating activities section for Home Store, Inc., is shown in Figure 12.12 "Operating Activities Section Using the Direct Method (Home Store, Inc.)". Notice that cash provided by operating activities of $22,000 in Figure 12.12 "Operating Activities Section Using the Direct Method (Home Store, Inc.)" (using the direct method) matches cash provided by operating activities in Figure 12.5 "Operating Activities Section of Statement of Cash Flows (Home Store, Inc.)" (using the indirect method). The direct and indirect methods of presenting the operating activities section of the statement of cash flows yield the exact same results. Also note that the investing and financing activities do not change using the direct method.

Figure 12.13 "Adjustment Rules for the Direct Method" summarizes the rules used to convert income statement line items to a cash basis. Review these rules carefully before working Note 12.40 "Review Problem 12.9".

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