Cash Flow Accounting: is It Time For Increased Disclosures?

Abstract

Cash flow reporting has attracted increased attention in the United States, especially in the past decade. However, despite the use of per share cash flow information by security analysts, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has prohibited its disclosure. This article provides a historical perspective of cash flow accounting in the U.S., as well as a discussion of cash flow advocates. The final section presents arguments for increased disclosures in the area of cash flows, including operating cash flow on a per share basis and a schedule of free cash flows.