Cybooks

Run a cash flow statement

This guide covers how to generate and review a cash flow statement in Cybooks.

The cash flow statement shows how cash moves in and out of your business over a period. It breaks cash movements into three categories -- operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities -- so you can see where your cash is coming from and where it is going. Amounts are displayed in your base currency.

Generate a cash flow statement

  1. In the sidebar, go to Reports > Cashflow Statement.

  2. Set the Date range to define the reporting period. You can choose a preset range such as Month, Quarter, or Year, or pick a custom date range.

  3. Use the Compare with dropdown to add comparison columns. You can compare against previous periods to spot trends:

    • Select None to show only the current period.
    • Select 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, or 4 months to compare with prior months (available when the period type is set to Month).
    • Change the period type by selecting Month, Quarter, Year, or Custom date range in the Period section of the dropdown.

  4. Click Update to generate the report.

Read the report

The cash flow statement is organised into the following sections:

  • Profit of the year -- your net income for the period, pulled from the profit and loss calculation.
  • Cash Flow from Operating Activities -- adjustments for non-cash income and expenses (such as depreciation, changes in accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable, and tax payable), followed by Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities.
  • Cash Flow from Investing Activities -- cash movements from buying or selling long-term assets (such as property, intangible assets, and investments), followed by Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities.
  • Cash Flow from Financing Activities -- cash movements from equity, dividends, and long-term liabilities, followed by Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities.
  • Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period -- your opening cash balance.
  • Net change in cash for period -- the total net movement across all three activity categories.
  • Cash and cash equivalents at end of period -- your closing cash balance (beginning balance plus net change).

When comparing periods, additional columns appear:

  • Variance -- the difference between the current and comparison period. Positive values appear in green; negative values appear in red with parentheses.
  • Percentage -- the percentage change between periods.
  • Metric -- a sparkline chart showing the trend across compared periods.

Export or print the report

  1. Click More in the top-right corner of the report.

  2. Under Export As, select a format:

    • PDF
    • XLSX
    • CSV

  3. The file downloads automatically.

To print the report, click More and select Print. The report prints in landscape orientation.

Schedule the report

You can set up the cash flow statement to be generated and emailed automatically.

  1. Click More in the top-right corner of the report.

  2. Select Schedule Report.

  3. Choose a Frequency -- Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or Quarterly.

  4. Set the Start Date & Time for the first delivery.

  5. Add Email Recipients who should receive the report.

  6. Choose the Attach Report as format -- PDF, XLSX, or CSV.

  7. Save the schedule.

Frequently asked questions

What method does the cash flow statement use? Cybooks uses the indirect method. It starts with net income (profit of the year) and adjusts for non-cash items and changes in working capital to arrive at cash from operating activities.

Why does my ending cash balance not match my bank account? The cash flow statement includes all cash and cash equivalent accounts, not just a single bank account. It also reflects the period you selected. Make sure your date range matches the period you are reviewing and that all transactions are recorded.

What accounts appear under each activity section? Operating activities include changes in receivables, payables, inventory, prepaid expenses, and payroll liabilities. Investing activities include long-term assets, intangible assets, and investments. Financing activities include share capital, dividends, and equity adjustments.

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