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Understanding the processes of cash flow analysis

2010-10-27

In small business accounting, cash flow statements are one of the most important financial reports. These statements can comprise a series of pages and sections or can merely consist of a one page report, depending on the nature of a business’s financial structure. Cash flow statements list the cash inflow and outflow of funds within a business. It is crucial to keep track of these funds, by means of regular cash flow analysis reports, in order to determine the financial health of a business.

The term cash flow refers to the movement of funds into and out of a business. A cash flow analysis is a study of this movement with the goals of maintaining a healthy cash flow and to determine a business’s solvency. It is essential that cash flow analysis reports be generated with utmost attention to detail in order to obtain accuracy. Using an accounting program will significantly simplify the process of generating financial statements and will ensure that your business’s finances are efficiently managed. QuickBooks range of accounting software packages caters to the needs of a small and growing business. With features that are customisable to suit your business finances exactly, QuickBooks offers businesses a cost-effective solution to producing cash flow analysis statements.
 
Continue reading to learn how to create cash flow statements with QuickBooks accounting software.

The cash flow analysis process

Many small businesses that do not have a fully-fledged financial department established tend to neglect generating cash flow analysis reports. Below is a simple guide for small business owners to produce their own cash flow statements and analysis reports with QuickBooks user-friendly accounting software:
  • Gather figures and information – The first step to managing your business’s finances proficiently is to keep a solid record of all its financial transactions. These records provide a basis for precise cash flow analysis.
     
  • Create cash flow statements – Cash inflow and outflow statements are records of financial business transactions that include inventory, sales, credit terms, accounts receivable and accounts payable. By using QuickBooks accounting software you can easily create cash flow statements that accurately display your business’s financial history – to provide insight for detailed cash flow analysis.
     
  • Prepare cash flow analysis reports – QuickBooks business finance software allows business owners to create professional financial statements and reports by simply inputting their business’s financial data. With a user-friendly interface, secure data storage, quick print options and accurate, automated calculations, QuickBooks adds value to your accounting tasks.
Use QuickBooks accounting software to simplify your business’s financial processes
 
In a business finance system, it is imperative that attention to detail is followed on all accounting processes and tasks, to ensure an accurate display of a business’s financial status. Using QuickBooks accounting software significantly decreases your time spent on everyday accounting procedures owing to its automated capabilities. Thus, you will have more time available to review and meticulously assess your final figures. Peruse our software packages and choose from QuickBooks SimpleStart, QuickBooks Pro and QuickBooks Premier for your business.
 

 
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QuickBooks SimpleStart - for new and home based business

QuickBooks SimpleStart - for new and home based business

All the essential tools for new and home based businesses.
The simplest way to manage and track money going in and out of your business.
QuickBooks SimpleStart, Accounting Software
It’s easy to manage sales, expenses and customers when you do your company’s books with SimpleStart. SimpleStart has been designed specifically to address small business needs and help them through their first start-up year which is the most critical year. SimpleStart takes less than 15 minutes to set up and with the easy interactive audio tutorials; you are taken through each step of setting up your company.
QuickBooks Pro - manage your business accounts simply and easily

QuickBooks Pro - manage your business accounts simply and easily

Fast and easy financial management for small businesses.
Manage your business accounts simply and easily.
QuickBooks Pro, Accounting Software
All the features of QuickBooks SimpleStart with advanced tools and customisation options to help boost efficiency and improve organisation.
 
 
QuickBooks Premier - fast and easy advanced accounting

QuickBooks Premier - fast and easy advanced accounting

The fastest, most complete way to manage small business finance.
Fast and easy advanced accounting.
QuickBooks Premier, Accounting Software
The next step up from QuickBooks pro, this comprehensive tool meets more specialised needs and gives greater insight to your client's business.
 
 
Quick Payroll - manage all your weekly and monthly payroll needs
Quick Payroll - manage all your weekly and monthly payroll needs
Quickest and easiest way to manage all your weekly and monthly payroll needs.
Quick Payroll is designed to meet the fast growing needs of dynamic South African SMEs.
QuickBooks Payroll, Payroll Software

It simply manages all aspects regarding payroll, including payroll calculations, leave registers, report writing, tax year-end, and more. Quick Payroll interfaces seamlessly with QuickBooks accounting software, which means your general ledger journals will automatically update.

Our solution automatically provides new tax law or statutory upgrades as they arise, keeping you on the payroll cutting edge. What is more, our Quick Payroll is so flexible; it can be used in any industry sector, injecting value into your company, employee and client relations across the board.

Quick Payroll Lite - manage all your weekly and monthly payroll needs
Quick Payroll Lite - manage all your weekly and monthly payroll needs
Quickest and easiest way to manage all your weekly and monthly payroll needs.
QuickBooks Payroll Lite, Payroll Software

Quick Payroll Lite is designed to meet the fast growing needs of dynamic South African SMEs. It simply manages all aspects regarding payroll, including payroll calculations, leave registers, report writing, tax year-end, and more. Quick Payroll Lite interfaces seamlessly with QuickBooks accounting software, which means your general ledger journals will automatically update.

Our solution automatically provides new tax law or statutory upgrades as they arise, keeping you on the payroll cutting edge. What is more, our Quick Payroll Lite is so flexible; it can be used in any industry sector, injecting value into your company, employee and client relations across the board.

Quick Payroll Startup - manage all your weekly and monthly payroll needs
Quick Payroll Startup - for all your weekly and monthly payroll needs
Quickest and easiest way to manage all your weekly and monthly payroll needs.
QuickBooks Payroll Startup, Payroll Software

Quick Payroll Startup is designed to meet the fast growing needs of dynamic South African SMEs. It simply manages all aspects regarding payroll, including payroll calculations, leave registers, report writing, tax year-end, and more. Quick Payroll Startup interfaces seamlessly with QuickBooks accounting software, which means your general ledger journals will automatically update.

Our solution automatically provides new tax law or statutory upgrades as they arise, keeping you on the payroll cutting edge. What is more, our Quick Payroll Startup is so flexible; it can be used in any industry sector, injecting value into your company, employee and client relations across the board.

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