A Funds Flow Statement is a financial report that tracks the changes in a company's working capital over a specific accounting period. It primarily illustrates how funds, broadly defined as working capital (current assets minus current liabilities), have been generated and applied by the business. The statement identifies the sources of funds, which represent inflows of working capital, and the applications (or uses) of funds, which represent outflows of working capital. By analysing these movements, stakeholders can understand the major financial decisions made by management, such as how the company financed its investments, repaid its debts, or distributed profits. It provides a summary of the significant financial changes that have occurred between two balance sheet dates.
Importance of Funds Flow Statements in Financial Analysis
Funds Flow Statements are considered important in financial analysis for several reasons. They offer a perspective on a company's financial operations that complements the information provided by the income statement and balance sheet. Unlike a cash flow statement, which focuses on cash movements, the funds flow statement highlights changes in working capital, indicating shifts in a company's current financial position and liquidity. This can help analysts understand how a company's short-term financial resources are being managed and deployed. It can reveal trends in financing and investment activities that might not be immediately apparent from other statements. For instance, it can show if a company is relying on long-term debt to finance current operations or if it is investing its working capital in fixed assets. This insight assists in assessing a company's financial policies and its ability to manage its resources over time.
Key Components of a Funds Flow Statement
A Funds Flow Statement is typically divided into two main sections: sources of funds and applications of funds.
Sources of Funds (Inflows of Working Capital):
Funds from Operations: This is calculated by adjusting net profit (or loss) for non-cash items (like depreciation, amortisation) and non-operating items (like profit/loss on sale of assets, dividends received) to show the working capital generated from the core business activities.
Sale of Fixed Assets: Proceeds from selling long-term assets such as land, buildings, or machinery.
Issue of Shares or Debentures: Funds raised by issuing new equity shares, preference shares, or long-term debt instruments like debentures.
Long-Term Loans Raised: Funds obtained from securing long-term debt from financial institutions.
Non-Operating Income: Income from sources other than core business operations, such as dividends or interest received (if considered non-operating).
Decrease in Working Capital: If working capital decreases between two periods, it implies a net inflow of funds for that period, often due to a greater decrease in current assets than current liabilities or an increase in current liabilities offsetting current asset changes.
Applications of Funds (Outflows of Working Capital):
Purchase of Fixed Assets: Funds used to acquire long-term assets.
Repayment of Long-Term Loans or Debentures: Funds used to pay back long-term debts.
Redemption of Preference Shares: Funds used to repurchase preference shares.
Payment of Dividends: Distribution of profits to shareholders.
Operating Losses: If operations result in a net loss, it represents an outflow of working capital.
Increase in Working Capital: If working capital increases between two periods, it implies a net outflow of funds, often due to a greater increase in current assets than current liabilities or a decrease in current liabilities not offset by current asset changes.
How to Prepare a Funds Flow Statement?
Preparing a Funds Flow Statement generally involves a few key steps, beginning with the calculation of changes in working capital.
Prepare a Schedule of Changes in Working Capital:
This involves comparing the current assets and current liabilities from two consecutive balance sheets.
Current Assets: An increase in a current asset (e.g., inventory, debtors) indicates an application of funds (working capital tied up), while a decrease indicates a source of funds (working capital released).
Current Liabilities: An increase in a current liability (e.g., creditors, bills payable) indicates a source of funds (more short-term financing available), while a decrease indicates an application of funds (short-term obligations paid off).
The net change in current assets minus current liabilities provides the overall change in working capital (increase or decrease).
Prepare a Statement of Adjusted Profit and Loss (Funds from Operations):
This step converts the net profit/loss from the income statement into "funds from operations." This involves:
Adding back non-cash expenses like depreciation, amortisation, and goodwill written off.
Adding back non-operating expenses like loss on sale of fixed assets.
Deducting non-operating incomes like profit on sale of fixed assets, and dividends received (if treated as non-operating).
Prepare a Funds Flow Statement:
This final statement classifies all changes in non-current accounts into sources or applications of funds.
For example, an increase in share capital (non-current liability) is a source. A decrease in long-term debt (non-current liability) is an application.
Purchase of fixed assets (increase in non-current asset) is an application. Sale of fixed assets (decrease in non-current asset) is a source.
The total sources of funds should equal the total applications of funds, with the difference being the net change in working capital calculated in step 1.
Differences Between Funds Flow and Cash Flow Statements
While both statements analyse financial movements, their focus differs significantly.
Feature
| Funds Flow Statement
| Cash Flow Statement
|
Focus
| Changes in working capital (current assets - current liabilities)
| Movements of actual cash and cash equivalents
|
Basis
| Accrual basis adjustments (working capital)
| Cash basis
|
Period Covered
| Compares two balance sheet dates (change over time)
| Reports activities over a specific period (e.g., quarter, year)
|
Sources/Uses
| Broadly categorises sources and applications of working capital
| Divides cash flows into Operating, Investing, Financing activities
|
Non-Cash Items
| Adjusts for non-cash items to arrive at funds from operations
| Directly uses cash effects; non-cash items are not part of cash flow
|
Purpose
| Analyses long-term financing and investment policies
| Shows liquidity and solvency; actual cash generating ability
|
Practical Examples of Funds Flow Statements
A practical example of a funds flow statement might illustrate how a company generated funds and how it used them over a year. If a company sold old machinery (source of funds), issued new equity shares (source of funds), and generated profits from its operations (funds from operations), these would be listed as inflows. Conversely, if the company purchased new equipment (application of funds), repaid a long-term loan (application of funds), and paid dividends to shareholders (application of funds), these would be listed as outflows. The statement would then show the net increase or decrease in working capital, reconciling it with the changes observed in the balance sheet. This helps in understanding how non-current activities impact current financial resources.
Limitations of Funds Flow Statement
While useful, the Funds Flow Statement has certain limitations.
Focus on Working Capital: It only focuses on changes in working capital, not actual cash movements, which might not reveal immediate liquidity issues.
Historical Data: It uses historical data, meaning it provides a retrospective view and may not predict future financial positions.
No Universal Definition of "Funds": The definition of "funds" can vary (e.g., working capital, all financial resources), which can affect comparability across different analyses.
Complexity: Its preparation can be complex due to the adjustments required for non-cash and non-operating items.
Does not explain "why" cash is short/plentiful: Even if working capital increases, the company might be facing a cash crunch if current assets are tied up in inventory or receivables.
Conclusion
The Funds Flow Statement is a financial report that highlights the changes in a company's working capital, detailing the sources and applications of funds over a period. It offers a perspective on financing and investment decisions, complementing other financial statements. While it provides insight into the management of a company's resources, its focus on working capital rather than pure cash movements presents a specific analytical viewpoint.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.