Objective of IAS 7

The objective of IAS 7 is to require the presentation of information about the historical changes in cash and cash equivalents of an enterprise by means of a statement of cash flows, which classifies cash flows during the period according to operating, investing, and financing activities.

Fundamental Principle in IAS 7

All enterprises that prepare financial statements in conformity with IFRSs are required to present a statement of cash flows. [IAS 7.1]

The statement of cash flows analyses changes in cash and cash equivalents during a period. Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, together with short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash, and that are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Guidance notes indicate that an investment normally meets the definition of a cash equivalent when it has a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition.

Equity investments are normally excluded, unless they are in substance a cash equivalent (e.g. preferred shares acquired within three months of their specified redemption date). Bank overdrafts which are repayable on demand and which form an integral part of an enterprise's cash management are also included as a component of cash and cash equivalents. [IAS 7.7-8]

Presentation of the Statement of Cash Flows

Cash flows must be analysed between operating, investing and financing activities. [IAS 7.10] Key principles specified by IAS 7 for the preparation of a statement of cash flows are as follows:

The direct method shows each major class of gross cash receipts and gross cash payments. The operating cash flows section of the statement of cash flows under the direct method would appear something like this:

Cash receipts from customers	xx,xxx
Cash paid to suppliers	xx,xxx
Cash paid to employees	xx,xxx
Cash paid for other operating expenses	xx,xxx
Interest paid	xx,xxx
Income taxes paid	xx,xxx
Net cash from operating activities	xx,xxx

The indirect method adjusts accrual basis net profit or loss for the effects of non-cash transactions. The operating cash flows section of the statement of cash flows under the indirect method would appear something like this:

Profit before interest and income taxes		xx,xxx
Add back depreciation		xx,xxx
Add back amortisation of goodwill		xx,xxx
Increase in receivables		xx,xxx
Decrease in inventories		xx,xxx
Increase in trade payables		xx,xxx
Interest expense	xx,xxx
Less Interest accrued but not yet paid	xx,xxx
Interest paid		xx,xxx
Income taxes paid		xx,xxx
Net cash from operating activities		xx,xxx

Ø the exchange rate used for translation of transactions denominated in a foreign currency and the cash flows of a foreign subsidiary should be the rate in effect at the date of the cash flows [IAS 7.25]

Øcash flows of foreign subsidiaries should be translated at the exchange rates  prevailing when the cash flows took place [IAS 7.26]

Ø  as regards the cash flows of associates and joint ventures, where the equity method is used, the statementof cash flows should report only cash flows between the investor and the investee; where proportionate consolidation is used, the cash flow statement should include the venturer's share of the cash flows of the investee [IAS 7.37-38]

Ø  aggregate cash flows relating to acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries and other business units should be presented separately and classified as investing activities, wit h specified additional disclosures. The aggregate cash paid or received as consideration should be reported net of cash and cash equivalents acquired or disposed of [IAS 7.39]

Øcash flows from investing and financing activities should be reported gross by major class of cash receipts and major class of cash payments except for the following cases, which may be reported on a net basis: [IAS 7.22-24]

Ø      cash receipts and payments on behalf of customers (for example, receipt and repayment of demand deposits by banks, and receipts collected on behalf of and paid over to the owner of a property)

Ø      cash receipts and payments for items in which the turnover is quick, the amounts are large, and the maturities are short, generally less than three months (for example, charges and collections from credit card customers, and purchase and sale of investments)

Ø      cash receipts and payments relating to fixed maturity deposits

Ø      cash advances and loans made to customers and repayments thereof investing and financing transactions which do not require the use of cash should be excluded from the statementof cash flows, but they should be separately disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements [IAS 7.43]

the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by the enterprise that is not available for use by the group should be disclosed, together with a commentary by management [IAS 7.48]

The summary earlier published in one of the reputed IFRS website.