Why Profit Does Not Equal Cash

The two approaches have many aspects in common but there are two key differences that distinguish one from the other. The difference in cash accounting and accrual accounting is the way debits and credits are applied in bookkeeping. Cash based accounting recognizes income at the time it is actually received. This means that invoiced income is not counted as an asset until payment for the invoice is received. This approach is also used for debits and any expenses incurred are not posted until they are paid. Small businesses often time use the cash accounting because it is simple and easy. It is important to recognize that this type of accounting can complicate matters when the business is up for sale or a merger is offered. The type of accounting method used in any business should not be assumed.

The value of fixed assets typically decreases over time. The amount of the decrease each year is accounted for and is called depreciation. Depreciation for the year is expensed on the income statement and added to the accumulated depreciation account on the balance sheet. So the value of the fixed assets on the balance sheet is reduced by the accumulated depreciation.

When you’re looking at the income statement, you can get information about profitability for a particular period. This is also called the profit and loss statement. The income statement is composed of both income and expenses. This statement can be used to deduct expenses from income and report either a net profit or net loss for that period. This statement will deduct all expenses from income and then report your net profit or net loss for that period. This will allow the business owner to determine if the business is bringing in a good amount of revenue to make a profit. The cash flow statement shows the movement in cash and balance over period. The cash flow can vary depending on the operating activities, investing and financing activities. This statement provides one business owner with insight to the company’s liquidity which is vital to the growth of the business. Reinvesting in business is very important, looking at the statement of retained earnings will tell a business owner how much were reinvested in the company. After profitable period, every big business has to give some of its profits to stockholders, and keep the rest amount as retained earnings. Out of all statements, retaining statement is important to companies that sells stocks to the public. This statement can also provide you with assets and liabilities information. These informations can be used to assess the financial health of your business. The results of a balance sheet will help the business owners to show the risk of liquidity and credit. Looking at these information you can measure trends and relationships to show where in the areas you can improve. These can also be compared to similar companies to show how the business measures up to leading competitors (Ali, 2010). In summary, the financial statements can provide a business owner

c. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the asset’s estimated useful life, which is determined by asset category as follows: Buildings and improvements (5 – 40 years); Store fixtures and equipment (3 – 15years), Leasehold improvements (Shorter of initial lease term or asset life); Capitalized software (3 – 7 years).

Depreciation and depletion are two models of computing financial reports. These techniques are used as adjustments when preparing statements of cash flow within the direct or indirect method. This paper will identify and examine the methods of depreciation and depletion, describe the difference between the methods, and compare and contrast depreciation and depletion as well using scholarly references to support the points.

> Depreciation applies to three classes of plant assets: land improvements, buildings, and equipment. Each of these classes is considered to be a depreciable asset because the usefulness to the company and the revenue-producing ability of each class decline over the asset’s useful life.

While cash accounting accurately tracks cash flow, it gives a false impression of revenue and expenses. This method may show a negative cash flow, even though you anticipate receiving payments in the next period.

Valuation refers to the asset being recorded and disclosed at current market price regardless of whether that price is above or below cost. Depreciation is the allocation of the cost of a plant asset to expense over its useful or service life in a rational and systematic manner. There are three methods that can be used for depreciation and a company must pick which method they want to use and stick with that

A1. Concerns in Budget Planning: Budgetary Items. Depreciation: Depreciation is “the method that the accountants use to allocate the cost of equipment and other assets to the total cost of products and services as shown on the income statement” (Berman, Knight, & Case, 2013). Depreciation is said to be based on the same fundamentals as accruals in that a company “wants to match as closely as possible the costs of products and services with what was sold” (Berman et al., 2013). The idea is to spread the cost of the expenditure over the useful life of the item over the course of time (Berman et al., 2013). Depreciation carries too much of an increase in year 9. Year 8 totals for accumulated depreciation is at

2013). In most cases, accrual basis net income provides a better measure of performance than net operating income cash flow. As stated by newspaper article, very small companies start out by using the cash basis (Anonymous 2011). The article also states it is easier for them to track cash flow which is the lifeblood of a company. Cantu states, “The first downside is that cash accounting can make operations appear financially healthier than they are.” Her example states, a contractor gets a $20,000 remodeling job and orders $8, 000 worth of supplies on credit. He starts the job on March 1 and receives a $5,000 deposit before beginning his work. With cash accounting, it appears that he has made $5,000 revenue in March. Despite appearances of being in the black, he is actually in the red $3,000 because he still has to pay for his supplies. Another problem, with cash accounting Cantu states, it is easy to confuse cash flow with profit, "If producers are able to pay their bills, many assume that they are making a profit, when actually they 're just experiencing cash flow," Bevers says. "True profit occurs when a producer has paid all of the expenses including depreciation and has built wealth." The text book also supports the fact that net operating cash flow may not

Since the net income reported in the statement of cash flows is transferred from the profit and loss account which is the difference between revenue and expenditures all of two types;

The net income is actually considerably different from the operating cash flow for multiple reasons. The first reason is non-cash expenses; these type of expenses are items such as depreciation or devaluing of something that was previously of higher value. Amortization of intangible assets, which is the steady reduction in recorded value of an intangible asset over time. These types of expenses truly do not require cash; outlays reduce net earnings but do not affect net cash outflow. Another imperative reason is that many timing differences occurring between the identification of revenue and expense and the incident of the underlying cash flow. In conclusion, the none operating losses and gains are used in the determination of net income, however, the associated cash flows are then classified as financing and investing activities, and they do not include operating activities.

Depreciation is the reduction in the value of certain fixed assets. It is a periodic reduction of fixed assets, usually done every year. Fixed assets are assets that add value to the company. Examples of fixed assets that can be depreciated are vehicles, buildings, machinery, equipment and fixture and fittings. The only fixed asset that is not depreciated is land, because it is not worn-out overtime, unless natural resources are being exploited. When a company buys a new fixed asset it doesn’t account for the full cost of it as one single large expense, instead the expense is spread over the life time of the asset. This is done by depreciating the asset. For example a company purchases a CNC router for €50,000 and will be used for five year. If they pay the full amount in the

The major distinction between the accrual and the cash basis of accounting is when revenue and expenses are recognized. When the cash method is used, revenue is recorded when money is received. Expenses are recorded only when money is paid. The Accrual method accounts for revenue when it is earned. Expenses for goods and services are recorded when they are incurred. The

Net income is total revenues minus total expenses incurred to generate those revenues all within the same reporting period. Net income is calculated by the accrual accounting methodology meaning that the expenses incurred to generate revenues are reported at the same time the related revenues are reported. Both revenue recognition and expenses paid may not coincide with actual cash transactions. Net cash from operating activities, on the other hand, is not determined by accrual but by