Cash Flow Statement Class 12: Format & Tips | CBSE Accountancy

The chapter on Cash Flow Statement in Class 12 is a very long and complex chapter of the Accountancy syllabus, which appears not only in the main CBSE board exams but also in practical exams. Hence, it becomes one of the very important chapters of Accountancy and holds a great deal of importance.

In this guide, we analyse the Class 12 cash flow statement, its objectives, classifications, and limitations to help you excel in your exams. Whether you are tackling numerical questions or theoretical questions, this blog provides clear and practical information to make your preparation easier.

What is a Cash Flow Statement?

As per the chapter on Accountancy, the Cash Flow Statement is a financial statement showing the cash inflows and outflows or the financial position of a business during different intervals of time in terms of cash and cash equivalents. According to the Accountancy Class 12 syllabus and Accounting Standard-3 (AS-3), it reflects a company’s financial position by detailing how cash moves through operating, investing, and financing activities.

Understanding the Cash Flow Statement is crucial for analysing a business’s liquidity and financial health. Because of this, all publicly listed entities have to prepare and report a cash flow statement along with other financial statements on an annual basis under the New Accounting Standard-3.

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Cash vs Cash Equivalent

According to the chapter on Cash Flow Statement class 12, Cash is divided into two categories, which are cash in hand and demand deposits with the bank. Here is the definition.

• Cash in Hand: Physical currency held by the business.
• Demand Deposits: Funds in bank accounts that can be withdrawn on demand.

On the other hand, cash equivalents are described as short-term, highly liquid assets that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and have a low risk of value change. Also, typically have a maturity period of three months or less (e.g., treasury bills, commercial paper).

What Are Cash Flows?

As per the chapter on Cash Flow Statement class 12, cash flows are referred to as the inflows and the outflows of cash and cash equivalents in a business. In other words, it can be explained as the movement in and out of cash and cash equivalents.

Think of Cash Flow this way, the receipt of cash from a non-cash item would be termed as cash inflow, and the cash payment in respect of such items would be termed as cash outflow. This concept is central to understanding how businesses manage liquidity. Here are the examples of Cash Flows:

• Outflows: Cash purchases, payments to creditors, and operating expenses.
• Inflows: Cash sales, collections from debtors, interest received.

Key Objectives of a Cash Flow Statement

The Cash Flow Statement has several purposes that help businesses and students to analyse a company’s financial performance. Based on the chapter “Cash Flow Statement class 12”, the following are the key objectives:

1. When it comes to short-term financial planning, this method comes in handy.
2. When it comes to successful cash management, this is a must-have.
3. It is useful in the implementation of business policies.
4. Assists in the creation and formulation of a cash budget.
5. Used to measure cash flow from different activities such as running, saving, and funding. This is also called Activity-Based Analysis.

Limitations of a Cash Flow Statement

While the Cash Flow Statement is a powerful tool, it has certain limitations that students should understand. Based on the chapter on Cash Flow Statement class 12, the following are various limitations of a cash flow statement:

1. It is based on the historical cost principle
2. Additionally, it is based on secondary data
3. No adherence to basic accounting principles
4. A cash flow statement is not a substitute for the income statement
5. It ignores all the non-cash transactions

Classification of Business Activities

As per the chapter on Cash Flow Statement class 12 and the Accounting Standard-3 (revised), the changes that result in the inflows and outflows of cash and cash equivalents are classified into three business activities. Each category reflects a different aspect of a company’s operations. The three activities are as follows:

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

The cash flow from operating activities covers the enterprise’s key revenue-generating activities as well as other non-investment and non-financing activities. Here is an example of Operating Activities:

Operating Activities

Cash inflow	Cash outflow
Cash sales Cash received from debtors Cash received from commissions and fees Royalty	Cash purchases Payment made to the creditors Cash operating expenses Payment of wages Income tax

For a Finance Company

Cash inflow	Cash outflow
Cash received for interest and dividends Sale of securities Cash sales Cash received from debtors Cash received from commissions and fees Royalty	Cash paid for interests Purchase of securities Cash purchases Payment made to the creditors Cash operating expenses Payment of wages Income tax

For an Insurance Company

Cash inflow	Cash outflow
Premiums and claims received Cash received for interest and dividends Sale of securities Cash sales Cash received from debtors Cash received from commissions and fees Royalty	Premium and claims paid Cash paid for interests Purchase of securities Cash purchases Payment made to the creditors Cash operating expenses Payment of wages, Income tax

For a Real Estate or Infrastructure Company

Cash inflow	Cash outflow
Rent Received Premiums and claims received Cash received for interest and dividends Sale of securities Cash sales Cash received from debtors Cash received from commission and fees Royalty	Rent paid Premium and claims paid Cash paid for interests Purchase of securities Cash purchases Payment made to the creditors Cash operating expenses Payment of wages Income tax

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

Investing activities (as specified by AS-3 or the Accounting Standards-3) are the purchase and disposition of long-term assets and other investments that are not included in cash equivalents. The following is a map of cash flow from investment activities:

Investing Activities

Cash inflow	Cash outflow
Sale of fixed assets Sale of investments Interest received Dividends received Rent received	Purchase of fixed assets Purchase of investments

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

Financing operations, according to AS-3, are those that result in a change in the size and composition of the owner’s capital (including preference share capital) and borrowings (including debentures) from other sources. The following is a chart or table of cash flow generated by financing activities:

Financing Activities

Cash inflow	Cash outflow
Issue of shares in cash Issue of debentures in cash Proceeds from long-term borrowings Securities premium received Increase in the balance of the bank overdraft or cash credit account	Payment of loans Redemption of preference shares and debentures Buy-back of equity shares Payment of dividends Payment of interest Premium paid on redemption of preference shares and debentures The decrease in the balance of the bank overdraft or cash credit account.

Also Read: Accounting for Partnership: Basic Concepts

Format of Cash Flow Statement (Indirect Method)

The format of the Indirect Method of the Cash Flow Statement as per the chapter on Cash Flow Statement class 12, and the Accounting Standard-3 (Revised) is as follows:

Tips for Solving Cash Flow Statement Questions

To excel in Class 12 Accountancy exams, follow these practical tips for solving Cash Flow Statement Questions easily:

1. Understand the Format: Students should understand the Format properly. For this, memorise the Indirect Method structure to organise your answers effectively.
2. Practice Numerical Problems: Try to practice more numerical problems, i.e., use NCERT solutions and sample papers to master calculations.
3. Focus on Adjustments: Pay attention to non-cash items like depreciation and changes in working capital.
4. Review AS-3 Guidelines: Ensure familiarity with Accounting Standard-3 for accurate classifications.
5. Use Diagrams and Tables: Present data clearly in exams with the help of diagrams and tables, in order to improve readability and score higher.

The Cash Flow Statement is a cornerstone of Class 12 Accountancy, essential for both theoretical understanding and practical application. By mastering its concepts, classifications, and format, you can confidently tackle exam questions and build a strong foundation for financial analysis. Use this guide, practice regularly, and leverage recommended resources to excel in your CBSE exams.

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