Net Cash Flow: Formula, Definition & Examples (2024)

As a small business owner, keeping an eye on your business's cash flow is a crucial part of successful financial management. Calculating your company's net cash flow is a crucial part of this. So, what is net cash flow? Keep reading for our short guide to the net cash flow definition and net cash flow formula.

What is net cash flow?

So, what is net cash flow? Net cash flow refers to the amount of money generated or lost by your business within a specified time period. It is mostly calculated by determining the difference between cash outflow and cash inflow in your business. Net cash flow in a business is made up of three key business activities:

  • Investing activities: This refers to any capital generated by profitable investments or cash issued for investment or purchasing assets.
  • Operating activities: This refers to the capital generated as well as used by your company's basic operations. This includes administrative expenses and customer receipts.
  • Financial activities: This refers to any capital generated through loan agreements or cash issued to pay debts or dividends.

Net Cash Flow: Formula, Definition & Examples (1)

Net Cash Flow Formula

It is important to know how to calculate net cash flow. The net cash flow formula is as follows: Net Cash Flow = Net Cash Flow From Operating Activities + Net Cash Flow from Financial Activities + Net Cash Flow from Investing Activities.

Or, more simply: Net Cash Flow = Total Cash Inflows – Total Cash Outflows.

NetCash Flow Example

Company X has a net cash flow from operating activities of GPB 200,000 and a net cash flow from other activities of GPB 100,000. However, losing money from investments has caused a net cash flow of -GPB 120,000. The net cash flow formula would be as follows: 200,000 + 100,000 – 120,000 = 180,000. With a net cash flow of GPB 180,000, Company X is doing relatively well and is likely to be able to invest in new products.

Net Cash Flow: Formula, Definition & Examples (2)

Why is Net CashFlow important?

So, why is net cash flow important? There is a number of perks to knowing your company's net cash flow.It gives you an idea of how much cash your company generates and whether its cash flows are positive or negative. This can provide valuable insight into financial viability and improve the company's cash flow. This will lead to a long-term increase in net income. Gaining insight into your business's net cash flow also helps you to generate more consistent cash flows and improve your net profit. And last but not least, to identify net cash flow also informs you of potential negative cash flows and helps you prepare.

Looking at the net cash flow example above, if Company X was to suspect potential negative cash flow, its management team could consider options to save money short-term, such as decreasing expenditure on assets or putting a stop to any hiring processes.

Net Cash Flow Considerations

However, just trying to have a positive net cash flow can be harmful to your company. For instance, taking on debt can give you a short-term positive cash flow, but is not necessarily the best for your finances moving forward. Also, negative net cash flow can be a positive thing. It may be caused by investing a significant amount of money into your business's future which will inherently improve your company's long-term cash flow. Make sure to focus on more than just net cash flow when evaluating your business's financial health.

Net Cash Flow: Formula, Definition & Examples (3)

Net Cash Flow FAQs

  • What is the definition of net Cash Flow?

Net cash flow refers to the amount of money generated or lost by your business within a specified time period

  • Is Net Cash Flow the same as Net Profit?

No, net profit refers to the actual profit a company makes after the operating expenses have been paid.

  • Is Net Cash Flow the same as Net Income?

No, net income refers to a company's income minus cost of goods sold, expenses, depreciation and amortization, interest, and taxes.

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Net Cash Flow: Formula, Definition & Examples (2024)

FAQs

Net Cash Flow: Formula, Definition & Examples? ›

Net Cash Flow = Total Cash Inflows – Total Cash Outflows.

What is the net cash flow formula? ›

Net Cash Flow = Total Cash Inflows – Total Cash Outflows.

What is net flow and how is it calculated? ›

Net cash flow is a profitability metric that represents the amount of money produced or lost by a business during a given period. Usually, you can calculate net cash flow by working out the difference between your business's cash inflows and cash outflows.

What is an example of cash flow calculation? ›

How to Calculate Cash Flow Using a Cash Flow Statement
  • Cash Flow = Cash from operating activities +(-) Cash from investing activities +(-) Cash from financing activities + Beginning cash balance.
  • Cash Flow = $30,000 +(-) $5,000 +(-) $5,000 + $50,000 = $70,000.

What are the three major types of net cash flows? ›

Here's how they differ:
  • Operating cash flow. A company's operating cash flow offers a portrait of its day-to-day operating activities: namely, the income from sales and outflows from salaries, vendor fees, lease payments, taxes, and interest payments. ...
  • Investing cash flow. ...
  • Financing cash flow.
Jul 12, 2023

What is the difference between cash flow and net cash flow? ›

Net cash flow looks at the total change in cash and cash equivalents based on all business activities. It provides a comprehensive view of cash inflows and outflows. Cash flow more broadly refers to all cash coming into and flowing out of a business.

What is a good net cash flow? ›

net cash flow is positive; net cash flow is zero; net cash flow is negative. Positive net cash flow (above 0) is generally a sign of financial soundness and good management: the company's revenues cover all of its needs without recourse to external financing.

Does net cash flow include taxes? ›

Cash flow from operating activities is calculated by adding depreciation to the earnings before income and taxes and then subtracting the taxes. A company's EBIT—also known as its earnings before interest and taxes—consists of its net income before income tax and interest expenses are deducted.

What is NetFlow equation? ›

What is Net Flow Equation? Net Flow Equation - A planning calculation to determine the planning status of a buffered item. The equation is on-hand + on-order (also referred to as open supply) – unfulfilled qualified actual demand. Previously known as the "available stock equation".

What is the legal definition of net cash flow? ›

Net Cash Flow means the gross cash proceeds of the Company less the portion thereof used to pay or establish reserves for Company expenses, debt payments, capital improvements, replacements and contingencies, all as reasonably determined by the Governors.

How do you calculate cash flow for dummies? ›

To calculate net cash flow, simply subtract the total cash outflow by the total cash inflow.
  1. Net Cash-Flow = Total Cash Inflows – Total Cash Outflows.
  2. Net Cash Flow = Operating Cash Flow + Cash Flow from Financial Activities (Net) + Cash Flow from Investing Activities (Net)
Feb 16, 2023

Is cash flow the same as profit? ›

Indication: Cash flow shows how much money moves in and out of your business, while profit illustrates how much money is left over after you've paid all your expenses. Statement: Cash flow is reported on the cash flow statement, and profits can be found in the income statement.

What is the cash flow formula? ›

With the help of the indirect method, the operating cash flow can be calculated from the cash flow statement. The following formula is used for this purpose: Operating cash flow = Net income + depreciation and amortisation + accounts receivables + inventory + accounts payables.

What is the formula for net cash flow? ›

You calculate net cash flow by taking the total cash inflows that come into a business from all sources and subtracting the total cash outflows in the net cash flow formula. The cash inflows include all sources of revenue, such as sales from customers and flow from investing activities.

How to calculate free cash flow? ›

The simplest way to calculate free cash flow is by finding capital expenditures on the cash flow statement and subtracting it from the operating cash flow found in the cash flow statement.

How to calculate cumulative net cash flow? ›

Start by calculating Net Cash Flow for each year: Net Cash Flow Year 1 = Cash Inflow Year 1 - Cash Outflow Year 1. Then Cumulative Cash Flow = (Net Cash Flow Year 1 + Net Cash Flow Year 2 + Net Cash Flow Year 3 ... etc.) Accumulate by year until Cumulative Cash Flow is a positive number: that year is the payback year.

How to calculate NPV? ›

What is the formula for net present value?
  1. NPV = Cash flow / (1 + i)^t – initial investment.
  2. NPV = Today's value of the expected cash flows − Today's value of invested cash.
  3. ROI = (Total benefits – total costs) / total costs.

What is cash flow formula? ›

With the help of the indirect method, the operating cash flow can be calculated from the cash flow statement. The following formula is used for this purpose: Operating cash flow = Net income + depreciation and amortisation + accounts receivables + inventory + accounts payables.

What is net cash flow in NPV? ›

Net present value is used to determine whether or not an investment, project, or business will be profitable down the line. The NPV of an investment is the sum of all future cash flows over the investment's lifetime, discounted to the present value.

How do you calculate net operating cash flow? ›

The simplest formula goes like this:
  1. Operating cash flow = total cash received for sales - cash paid for operating expenses.
  2. OCF = (revenue - operating expenses) + depreciation - income taxes - change in working capital.
  3. OCF = net income + depreciation - change in working capital.

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