Article Objective: To assist users in navigating the Active Platform with navigating the cashflow section including using the calculator, posting cashflow journals and generating the audit report.
Context: Active Ledger & Reporting allows users to post cashflow journals separately and generate associated cashflow reports.
Please refer to the Glossary for definitions of key terms used in this article.
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
Using the calculator
Select the relevant dataset, navigate to the Cashflow screen and click on the Calculator tab.
The following fields are required to be filled out to generate the report:
Field | Detail | Validation |
Cashflow Statement Type | You can select to view direct and indirect cashflow statements. The system defaults to the 'Direct' type. | Required |
Account Type | Filters the displayed transactions based on where the account originated. There are two options:
| Required |
Start Date | Automatically populated as the start date of the dataset. | Required (must be inside date range of the dataset) |
End Date | Automatically populated as the end date of the dataset. | Required (must be inside date range of the dataset) |
Show Tree View (checkbox) | By selecting this checkbox, it will display accounts in a heading format, splitting out revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities and equity, as well as further breaking down individual accounts under their respective headings. | Optional |
Once the above sections are filled out accordingly, select Run Report.
Changing cashflow categories
If you find that an account is not allocated to the correct cashflow category, you can edit the account to manually override the default.
From the 'Calculator' tab in the 'Cashflow' section, click on the edit icon of the relevant account. For more information on editing accounts, see the knowledge article: Accounts - overview.
From here, a pop-up screen will appear where you can change account details, including the category.
Once you have updated the cashflow category, click Save Account.
This will reallocate the account to the selected position for when the audit report is generated.
Editing cashflow labels
To edit the cashflow labels that will be displayed when generating the calculator, click on Edit Cashflow Labels.
The below screen will show. Here, there will be three tabs; Categories, Cashflow Lines and Reconciliation Lines.
The Categories tab will show all the different cashflow headings which will appear on the calculator. To view a master line, click on it.
From here, the below screen will appear which outlines the name of the cashflow line, the section (i.e. category) it falls under and the cashflow and reconciliation lines associated with it, if any.
Note: You are not able to edit a master line, only copy and customise it. In order to do this, click Copy to the right of the master line.
Adding a cashflow line
Once you have copied the desired category, you are able to add a new cashflow line. To do this from within the cashflow label, click + Cashflow Line.
Link the new line to the appropriate section and give it a label. If this cashflow line is considered part of operating profit line in the cashflow statement and should be included within that subtotal, tick the checkbox for 'Operating Profit'.
Click Add Cashflow Line.
This will add the cashflow line to the appropriate section and not be listed as a master line (as it was added manually). Select the checkbox so it links to the category you have created.
Note: Alternatively, to add a cashflow line you can navigate to the Cashflow Lines tab and add one from there, following the above steps.
Adding a reconciliation line
To add a new reconciliation line from within the cashflow label, click + Reconciliation Line.
Link the new line to the appropriate section and give it a label. Click Add Reconciliation Line.
This will add the reconciliation line to the appropriate section and not be listed as a master line (as it was added manually). Select the checkbox so it links to the category you have created.
Note: Alternatively, to add a reconciliation line you can navigate to the Reconciliation Lines tab and add one from there, following the above steps.
Finalising new category
Once you are satisfied with the name, cashflow lines and reconciliation lines, select Save and Close.
Linking the category to an account
To link the newly created category to an account, navigate to the accounts screen and click the pencil icon to the right of the applicable account.
The below screen will pop-up. Navigate to the 'Reporting' section and select the relevant 'Cashflow Category' you just created.
Once you are satisfied, click Save Account.
Now when generating the Cashflow Statement, this account will appear in the 'Cash Paid to Employees' category instead of the default category it was previously assigned to.
Posting cashflow journals
You can create dedicated journals that will only affect the cashflow statement and not the underlying data. This allows you to separate amounts in the movement of an account balance into multiple cashflow categories.
Navigate to the Cashflow screen, Cashflow Journals and click + New Cashflow Journal.
From here you enter the details of the journal by selecting the Report Line and/or Reconciliation Line from the dropdown menus that the adjustments need to be made to.
If you need some assistance, click on the Insert an Example button. The dropdown contains the three most common scenarios for adjustment. Selecting the relevant example will automatically select the correct Report Lines. Then simply update the figures (by default these are set at $10).
When you have finalised everything, click the Add Cashflow Journal button.
Generating an audit report
Navigate to the Cashflow screen and click on the Audit Report tab.
The following fields are required to be filled out to generate the report:
Field | Detail | Validation |
Cashflow Statement Type | You can select to view direct and indirect cashflow statements. The system defaults to the 'Direct' type. | Required |
Start Date | Automatically populated as the start date of the dataset. | Required (must be inside date range of the dataset) |
End Date | Automatically populated as the end date of the dataset. | Required (must be inside date range of the dataset) |
Once the above sections are filled out accordingly, select Run Report.
The fields can be expanded to show or hide the detail of the amounts making up each of the line items by using the arrows next to the titles. Any adjustments made by cashflow journals will also be reflected here.
It is also possible to see a specific breakdown of the amounts making up operating activities by clicking on the Reconciliation to Operating Activities tab.
This shows the breakdown, as below.