What is the major purpose of the Statement of Cash Flows?

• A. To measure profitability using accrual accounting
• B. To report the cash balance at period end
• C. To provide the reconciliation of net income to cash from operations
• D. To show the sources and uses of cash from the beginning to the end of the period, and what caused the change

Answer: (D)

The main idea is to show how cash changed over the period by detailing where cash came from and how it was used. The cash flow statement breaks cash movements into operating activities (cash generated by the core business), investing activities (cash used for or received from assets), and financing activities (cash received from or paid to owners and lenders). It starts with the beginning cash balance and ends with the ending cash balance, explaining the net change and what caused it. It also reveals how net income translates into cash from operations (when using the indirect method) and flags any noncash investing or financing activities disclosed elsewhere. This helps assess liquidity and the sustainability of cash generation, beyond what accrual net income shows.