Tap to Pay on iPhone

Accept contactless payments right on your iPhone with the Mollie app

Learn more

Accept payments

Online payments

Accept and manage online payments

In-person payments

Take payments with terminals and devices

Checkout

Offer a checkout optimised for conversion

Recurring payments

Collect recurring and subscription payments

Acceptance & Risk

Prevent fraud and optimise conversion

Embedded payments

Connect for platforms

Embed payments on your platform

Collect revenue

Payment links

Create, send and customise payment links

Invoicing

Crea

Grow your business

Capital

Get fast funding with flexible repayments

Partners

For Agencies

Learn about our Agency Partner Program

For SaaS and Ecommerce

Explore our SaaS and Ecommerce Partner Program

Technical resources

Developers portal

Discover developer resources and updates

Libraries

Integrate Mollie with ready-to-go libraries

Discord community

Join our developer community

Mollie API

Docs

Explore our API documentation and guides

Status

Check our current system status

Changelog

Read up on recent technical changes

About Mollie

Pricing

View our pricing

About us

Learn more about our story and values

News

Read the latest Mollie news

Careers

Come work for us - we're hiring!

Mollie content

Articles & guides

Discover content that can help your business

Success stories

See how we support our customers

Papers

Download our papers

Contact

For shoppers

Find out why Mollie is on your bank statement

For Mollie customers

Reach out to our customer support team

Contact sales

Discover how we can help your business

Direct vs. indirect cash flow methods for ecommerce

Direct vs. indirect cash flow methods for ecommerce

Direct vs. indirect cash flow methods for ecommerce

Direct vs. indirect cash flow methods for ecommerce

Direct and indirect cash flow use different calculations to create a closing bank statement. Which should you use? Learn more at Mollie.

Direct and indirect cash flow use different calculations to create a closing bank statement. Which should you use? Learn more at Mollie.

Finance-and-accounting

Finance-and-accounting

Finance-and-accounting

May 10, 2022

Nick Knuppe

Head of product marketing

A cash flow statement provides a snapshot of your business's financial wellbeing.

Its primary job is to show how much cash you have available after subtracting cash outflows from cash inflows. This information helps you assess your ability to generate enough income to cover the costs of operating activities. But‚ equally important‚ your net cash flow tells you whether you can cover your debts‚ or liabilities.

That part is straightforward. It can be difficult to work out which cash flow statement calculation method your accountant used – either direct or indirect cash flow.

Each type of cash flow statement reveals different information about your business. Of course‚ the easiest way to find out which cash flow calculation your accountant used is to ask them. They'll be able to tell you what type you're looking at and also give you a lot of insight into what all the figures mean.

But if you're keeping your own books‚ here we'll explain the differences between direct and indirect calculation methods. You can then decide which one works best for your business.

A cash flow statement provides a snapshot of your business's financial wellbeing.

Its primary job is to show how much cash you have available after subtracting cash outflows from cash inflows. This information helps you assess your ability to generate enough income to cover the costs of operating activities. But‚ equally important‚ your net cash flow tells you whether you can cover your debts‚ or liabilities.

That part is straightforward. It can be difficult to work out which cash flow statement calculation method your accountant used – either direct or indirect cash flow.

Each type of cash flow statement reveals different information about your business. Of course‚ the easiest way to find out which cash flow calculation your accountant used is to ask them. They'll be able to tell you what type you're looking at and also give you a lot of insight into what all the figures mean.

But if you're keeping your own books‚ here we'll explain the differences between direct and indirect calculation methods. You can then decide which one works best for your business.

A cash flow statement provides a snapshot of your business's financial wellbeing.

Its primary job is to show how much cash you have available after subtracting cash outflows from cash inflows. This information helps you assess your ability to generate enough income to cover the costs of operating activities. But‚ equally important‚ your net cash flow tells you whether you can cover your debts‚ or liabilities.

That part is straightforward. It can be difficult to work out which cash flow statement calculation method your accountant used – either direct or indirect cash flow.

Each type of cash flow statement reveals different information about your business. Of course‚ the easiest way to find out which cash flow calculation your accountant used is to ask them. They'll be able to tell you what type you're looking at and also give you a lot of insight into what all the figures mean.

But if you're keeping your own books‚ here we'll explain the differences between direct and indirect calculation methods. You can then decide which one works best for your business.

A cash flow statement provides a snapshot of your business's financial wellbeing.

Its primary job is to show how much cash you have available after subtracting cash outflows from cash inflows. This information helps you assess your ability to generate enough income to cover the costs of operating activities. But‚ equally important‚ your net cash flow tells you whether you can cover your debts‚ or liabilities.

That part is straightforward. It can be difficult to work out which cash flow statement calculation method your accountant used – either direct or indirect cash flow.

Each type of cash flow statement reveals different information about your business. Of course‚ the easiest way to find out which cash flow calculation your accountant used is to ask them. They'll be able to tell you what type you're looking at and also give you a lot of insight into what all the figures mean.

But if you're keeping your own books‚ here we'll explain the differences between direct and indirect calculation methods. You can then decide which one works best for your business.

What are the elements of a cash flow statement?

Before we dive in, let’s review the three main parts of any cash flow statement.

Operating cash flow: This is revenue and expenses from day-to-day operations, including cash from sales revenue, interest, vendor payments, taxes, and wages.
Investing cash flow: This is cash earned from and spent on investments. Revenue includes things like business asset sales or stock wins. Expenses could be loan payments and the purchase of assets.
Financing cash flow: This is revenue and expenses relating to stocks, bonds, servicing debt, and dividend payments to investors.

Net cash flow equals total cash inflows minus total cash outflows. For example, imagine your company’s operating activities bring in a net cash flow of €150,000, a net cash flow from investment earnings of €20,000, and a negative net cash flow of €60,000 from servicing debt.

Here’s how you calculate your company’s net cash flow:

€150,000 + €20,000 – €60,000 = €110,000

In this example, your company has a net cash flow of €110,000, which points to a reasonably strong business that will likely allow you to continue paying overhead and reduce your debt.

If you consistently have positive net cash flow, your business is in a good place. Conversely, it may be challenging to continue paying operational costs if you consistently have negative cash flow.

Before we dive in, let’s review the three main parts of any cash flow statement.

Operating cash flow: This is revenue and expenses from day-to-day operations, including cash from sales revenue, interest, vendor payments, taxes, and wages.
Investing cash flow: This is cash earned from and spent on investments. Revenue includes things like business asset sales or stock wins. Expenses could be loan payments and the purchase of assets.
Financing cash flow: This is revenue and expenses relating to stocks, bonds, servicing debt, and dividend payments to investors.

Net cash flow equals total cash inflows minus total cash outflows. For example, imagine your company’s operating activities bring in a net cash flow of €150,000, a net cash flow from investment earnings of €20,000, and a negative net cash flow of €60,000 from servicing debt.

Here’s how you calculate your company’s net cash flow:

€150,000 + €20,000 – €60,000 = €110,000

In this example, your company has a net cash flow of €110,000, which points to a reasonably strong business that will likely allow you to continue paying overhead and reduce your debt.

If you consistently have positive net cash flow, your business is in a good place. Conversely, it may be challenging to continue paying operational costs if you consistently have negative cash flow.

Before we dive in, let’s review the three main parts of any cash flow statement.

Operating cash flow: This is revenue and expenses from day-to-day operations, including cash from sales revenue, interest, vendor payments, taxes, and wages.
Investing cash flow: This is cash earned from and spent on investments. Revenue includes things like business asset sales or stock wins. Expenses could be loan payments and the purchase of assets.
Financing cash flow: This is revenue and expenses relating to stocks, bonds, servicing debt, and dividend payments to investors.

Net cash flow equals total cash inflows minus total cash outflows. For example, imagine your company’s operating activities bring in a net cash flow of €150,000, a net cash flow from investment earnings of €20,000, and a negative net cash flow of €60,000 from servicing debt.

Here’s how you calculate your company’s net cash flow:

€150,000 + €20,000 – €60,000 = €110,000

In this example, your company has a net cash flow of €110,000, which points to a reasonably strong business that will likely allow you to continue paying overhead and reduce your debt.

If you consistently have positive net cash flow, your business is in a good place. Conversely, it may be challenging to continue paying operational costs if you consistently have negative cash flow.

Before we dive in, let’s review the three main parts of any cash flow statement.

Operating cash flow: This is revenue and expenses from day-to-day operations, including cash from sales revenue, interest, vendor payments, taxes, and wages.
Investing cash flow: This is cash earned from and spent on investments. Revenue includes things like business asset sales or stock wins. Expenses could be loan payments and the purchase of assets.
Financing cash flow: This is revenue and expenses relating to stocks, bonds, servicing debt, and dividend payments to investors.

Net cash flow equals total cash inflows minus total cash outflows. For example, imagine your company’s operating activities bring in a net cash flow of €150,000, a net cash flow from investment earnings of €20,000, and a negative net cash flow of €60,000 from servicing debt.

Here’s how you calculate your company’s net cash flow:

€150,000 + €20,000 – €60,000 = €110,000

In this example, your company has a net cash flow of €110,000, which points to a reasonably strong business that will likely allow you to continue paying overhead and reduce your debt.

If you consistently have positive net cash flow, your business is in a good place. Conversely, it may be challenging to continue paying operational costs if you consistently have negative cash flow.

What is the difference between direct and indirect cash flow?

Direct and indirect cash flow methods use different starting points, calculations, and levels of detail to create a closing bank statement.

Direct cash flow

Accounting standards organisations typically recommend using the direct cash flow method because it provides more accurate information. However, many businesses still choose the indirect method because it’s simpler, less complex for reporting purposes, and less time-consuming to prepare. To create the cash flow statement, you individually itemise cash transactions, add them up, and then subtract expenses from cash revenue over a given period. Non-cash transactions are not included.

Direct cash flow transactions are mainly cash payments from customers, employee wages, cash paid for bills, money paid to vendors, and income tax. After you subtract the expenses from the payments received, there will be a clear positive or negative cash flow.

Indirect cash flow

Indirect cash flow uses estimations to calculate your organisation’s net income. Larger businesses with many delayed payments, significant assets, and investments use the indirect method because it’s simpler and quicker – though less precise.

The indirect cash flow method involves starting with your net income and adjusting the figure as the balance sheet changes. Some adjustments might include:

Removing non-cash expenses and payments
Depreciation
Accrual entries
Amortisation
Changes in inventory, receivables, and payables

Direct and indirect cash flow methods use different starting points, calculations, and levels of detail to create a closing bank statement.

Direct cash flow

Accounting standards organisations typically recommend using the direct cash flow method because it provides more accurate information. However, many businesses still choose the indirect method because it’s simpler, less complex for reporting purposes, and less time-consuming to prepare. To create the cash flow statement, you individually itemise cash transactions, add them up, and then subtract expenses from cash revenue over a given period. Non-cash transactions are not included.

Direct cash flow transactions are mainly cash payments from customers, employee wages, cash paid for bills, money paid to vendors, and income tax. After you subtract the expenses from the payments received, there will be a clear positive or negative cash flow.

Indirect cash flow

Indirect cash flow uses estimations to calculate your organisation’s net income. Larger businesses with many delayed payments, significant assets, and investments use the indirect method because it’s simpler and quicker – though less precise.

The indirect cash flow method involves starting with your net income and adjusting the figure as the balance sheet changes. Some adjustments might include:

Removing non-cash expenses and payments
Depreciation
Accrual entries
Amortisation
Changes in inventory, receivables, and payables

Direct and indirect cash flow methods use different starting points, calculations, and levels of detail to create a closing bank statement.

Direct cash flow

Accounting standards organisations typically recommend using the direct cash flow method because it provides more accurate information. However, many businesses still choose the indirect method because it’s simpler, less complex for reporting purposes, and less time-consuming to prepare. To create the cash flow statement, you individually itemise cash transactions, add them up, and then subtract expenses from cash revenue over a given period. Non-cash transactions are not included.

Direct cash flow transactions are mainly cash payments from customers, employee wages, cash paid for bills, money paid to vendors, and income tax. After you subtract the expenses from the payments received, there will be a clear positive or negative cash flow.

Indirect cash flow

Indirect cash flow uses estimations to calculate your organisation’s net income. Larger businesses with many delayed payments, significant assets, and investments use the indirect method because it’s simpler and quicker – though less precise.

The indirect cash flow method involves starting with your net income and adjusting the figure as the balance sheet changes. Some adjustments might include:

Removing non-cash expenses and payments
Depreciation
Accrual entries
Amortisation
Changes in inventory, receivables, and payables

Direct and indirect cash flow methods use different starting points, calculations, and levels of detail to create a closing bank statement.

Direct cash flow

Accounting standards organisations typically recommend using the direct cash flow method because it provides more accurate information. However, many businesses still choose the indirect method because it’s simpler, less complex for reporting purposes, and less time-consuming to prepare. To create the cash flow statement, you individually itemise cash transactions, add them up, and then subtract expenses from cash revenue over a given period. Non-cash transactions are not included.

Direct cash flow transactions are mainly cash payments from customers, employee wages, cash paid for bills, money paid to vendors, and income tax. After you subtract the expenses from the payments received, there will be a clear positive or negative cash flow.

Indirect cash flow

Indirect cash flow uses estimations to calculate your organisation’s net income. Larger businesses with many delayed payments, significant assets, and investments use the indirect method because it’s simpler and quicker – though less precise.

The indirect cash flow method involves starting with your net income and adjusting the figure as the balance sheet changes. Some adjustments might include:

Removing non-cash expenses and payments
Depreciation
Accrual entries
Amortisation
Changes in inventory, receivables, and payables

What is the relationship between cash flow and an income statement?

An income statement shows revenue and expenses over a specific period, while the cash flow statement provides the cash flow from your operating, financing, and investing activities. You use income statements to calculate cash flow statements. You can compare the two financial statements to help make conclusions about your cash management. For example, if your income statement shows a healthy cash balance, but your cash flow statement shows a smaller figure, you’re likely paying a lot of debt or have made some capital improvements.

A poor income statement and a healthy cash flow statement can mean that your business is asset-heavy. This means you’re not making much profit from selling your product or services, but you do have assets like real estate, equipment, or office furniture that you could sell to generate capital if needed.

An income statement shows revenue and expenses over a specific period, while the cash flow statement provides the cash flow from your operating, financing, and investing activities. You use income statements to calculate cash flow statements. You can compare the two financial statements to help make conclusions about your cash management. For example, if your income statement shows a healthy cash balance, but your cash flow statement shows a smaller figure, you’re likely paying a lot of debt or have made some capital improvements.

A poor income statement and a healthy cash flow statement can mean that your business is asset-heavy. This means you’re not making much profit from selling your product or services, but you do have assets like real estate, equipment, or office furniture that you could sell to generate capital if needed.

An income statement shows revenue and expenses over a specific period, while the cash flow statement provides the cash flow from your operating, financing, and investing activities. You use income statements to calculate cash flow statements. You can compare the two financial statements to help make conclusions about your cash management. For example, if your income statement shows a healthy cash balance, but your cash flow statement shows a smaller figure, you’re likely paying a lot of debt or have made some capital improvements.

A poor income statement and a healthy cash flow statement can mean that your business is asset-heavy. This means you’re not making much profit from selling your product or services, but you do have assets like real estate, equipment, or office furniture that you could sell to generate capital if needed.

An income statement shows revenue and expenses over a specific period, while the cash flow statement provides the cash flow from your operating, financing, and investing activities. You use income statements to calculate cash flow statements. You can compare the two financial statements to help make conclusions about your cash management. For example, if your income statement shows a healthy cash balance, but your cash flow statement shows a smaller figure, you’re likely paying a lot of debt or have made some capital improvements.

A poor income statement and a healthy cash flow statement can mean that your business is asset-heavy. This means you’re not making much profit from selling your product or services, but you do have assets like real estate, equipment, or office furniture that you could sell to generate capital if needed.

How to decide which cash flow methods to use

Your accountant will typically choose the cash flow method that best fits your business size and reporting goals. However, if you’re trying to decide which to use or just want to understand each one better, here are some factors to consider:

Direct cash flow

Since you’re pulling every cash transaction to compile a new data set, the direct method is a transparent record of your cash flow. Direct is a more in-depth cash flow analysis than indirect, but reporting this way can be time-consuming. This is especially true if your business sells a high volume of low-value goods.

It might be worth using the direct cash flow method because it makes it easier to predict potential cash flow investments and the potential impact of increasing cash expenses. It can also show where you can reduce costs and prepare for predicted negative cash flow periods.

Indirect cash flow

The indirect method allows you to compare cash flow to net profit, clarify how you receive cash, and record income. For example, if you have a period where your net profit and closing bank statement don’t match up, you’ll be able to see why this is happening.

Since you’re starting with the net profit data you already have from your company’s profit and loss statement, you can get a quicker picture of your cash flow. It may be less accurate than using the direct method because you use estimated adjustments, but it should still be fairly accurate. If your business has a lot of investments, loans, or assets, you’ll probably use the indirect method. You’ll also likely use accrual accounting, which means you count income and expenses when they are agreed to, rather than when the payments are sent or received. Having net-60 or net-90 terms means there can be a lot of money in the air even though it’s accounted for on paper.

Ultimately, both methods will deliver similar results.

Your accountant will typically choose the cash flow method that best fits your business size and reporting goals. However, if you’re trying to decide which to use or just want to understand each one better, here are some factors to consider:

Direct cash flow

Since you’re pulling every cash transaction to compile a new data set, the direct method is a transparent record of your cash flow. Direct is a more in-depth cash flow analysis than indirect, but reporting this way can be time-consuming. This is especially true if your business sells a high volume of low-value goods.

It might be worth using the direct cash flow method because it makes it easier to predict potential cash flow investments and the potential impact of increasing cash expenses. It can also show where you can reduce costs and prepare for predicted negative cash flow periods.

Indirect cash flow

The indirect method allows you to compare cash flow to net profit, clarify how you receive cash, and record income. For example, if you have a period where your net profit and closing bank statement don’t match up, you’ll be able to see why this is happening.

Since you’re starting with the net profit data you already have from your company’s profit and loss statement, you can get a quicker picture of your cash flow. It may be less accurate than using the direct method because you use estimated adjustments, but it should still be fairly accurate. If your business has a lot of investments, loans, or assets, you’ll probably use the indirect method. You’ll also likely use accrual accounting, which means you count income and expenses when they are agreed to, rather than when the payments are sent or received. Having net-60 or net-90 terms means there can be a lot of money in the air even though it’s accounted for on paper.

Ultimately, both methods will deliver similar results.

Your accountant will typically choose the cash flow method that best fits your business size and reporting goals. However, if you’re trying to decide which to use or just want to understand each one better, here are some factors to consider:

Direct cash flow

Since you’re pulling every cash transaction to compile a new data set, the direct method is a transparent record of your cash flow. Direct is a more in-depth cash flow analysis than indirect, but reporting this way can be time-consuming. This is especially true if your business sells a high volume of low-value goods.

It might be worth using the direct cash flow method because it makes it easier to predict potential cash flow investments and the potential impact of increasing cash expenses. It can also show where you can reduce costs and prepare for predicted negative cash flow periods.

Indirect cash flow

The indirect method allows you to compare cash flow to net profit, clarify how you receive cash, and record income. For example, if you have a period where your net profit and closing bank statement don’t match up, you’ll be able to see why this is happening.

Since you’re starting with the net profit data you already have from your company’s profit and loss statement, you can get a quicker picture of your cash flow. It may be less accurate than using the direct method because you use estimated adjustments, but it should still be fairly accurate. If your business has a lot of investments, loans, or assets, you’ll probably use the indirect method. You’ll also likely use accrual accounting, which means you count income and expenses when they are agreed to, rather than when the payments are sent or received. Having net-60 or net-90 terms means there can be a lot of money in the air even though it’s accounted for on paper.

Ultimately, both methods will deliver similar results.

Your accountant will typically choose the cash flow method that best fits your business size and reporting goals. However, if you’re trying to decide which to use or just want to understand each one better, here are some factors to consider:

Direct cash flow

Since you’re pulling every cash transaction to compile a new data set, the direct method is a transparent record of your cash flow. Direct is a more in-depth cash flow analysis than indirect, but reporting this way can be time-consuming. This is especially true if your business sells a high volume of low-value goods.

It might be worth using the direct cash flow method because it makes it easier to predict potential cash flow investments and the potential impact of increasing cash expenses. It can also show where you can reduce costs and prepare for predicted negative cash flow periods.

Indirect cash flow

The indirect method allows you to compare cash flow to net profit, clarify how you receive cash, and record income. For example, if you have a period where your net profit and closing bank statement don’t match up, you’ll be able to see why this is happening.

Since you’re starting with the net profit data you already have from your company’s profit and loss statement, you can get a quicker picture of your cash flow. It may be less accurate than using the direct method because you use estimated adjustments, but it should still be fairly accurate. If your business has a lot of investments, loans, or assets, you’ll probably use the indirect method. You’ll also likely use accrual accounting, which means you count income and expenses when they are agreed to, rather than when the payments are sent or received. Having net-60 or net-90 terms means there can be a lot of money in the air even though it’s accounted for on paper.

Ultimately, both methods will deliver similar results.

Simplify cash flow for your ecommerce businesses

Whether you choose the direct or indirect method to assess your cash flow, you’ll be able to monitor the money you make and spend to ensure your company is profitable long-term. To do this, it’s vital to keep your accounts up to date and plan for future expenses as your business grows.

Whether you choose the direct or indirect method to assess your cash flow, you’ll be able to monitor the money you make and spend to ensure your company is profitable long-term. To do this, it’s vital to keep your accounts up to date and plan for future expenses as your business grows.

Whether you choose the direct or indirect method to assess your cash flow, you’ll be able to monitor the money you make and spend to ensure your company is profitable long-term. To do this, it’s vital to keep your accounts up to date and plan for future expenses as your business grows.

Whether you choose the direct or indirect method to assess your cash flow, you’ll be able to monitor the money you make and spend to ensure your company is profitable long-term. To do this, it’s vital to keep your accounts up to date and plan for future expenses as your business grows.

Grow your way with Mollie

At Mollie, we aim to help all businesses to grow. We do that with an effortless payment solution that allows you to accept 25+ leading payment methods and offer a conversion-optimised checkout. We also provide a range of integrations and advanced features that can help you simplify your accounting and other financial processes to make scaling your business as easy as possible.

At Mollie, we aim to help all businesses to grow. We do that with an effortless payment solution that allows you to accept 25+ leading payment methods and offer a conversion-optimised checkout. We also provide a range of integrations and advanced features that can help you simplify your accounting and other financial processes to make scaling your business as easy as possible.

At Mollie, we aim to help all businesses to grow. We do that with an effortless payment solution that allows you to accept 25+ leading payment methods and offer a conversion-optimised checkout. We also provide a range of integrations and advanced features that can help you simplify your accounting and other financial processes to make scaling your business as easy as possible.

At Mollie, we aim to help all businesses to grow. We do that with an effortless payment solution that allows you to accept 25+ leading payment methods and offer a conversion-optimised checkout. We also provide a range of integrations and advanced features that can help you simplify your accounting and other financial processes to make scaling your business as easy as possible.

Stay up to date

Never miss an update. Receive product updates, news and customer stories right into your inbox.

Stay up to date

Never miss an update. Receive product updates, news and customer stories right into your inbox.

Connect every payment. Upgrade every part of your business.

Never miss an update. Receive product updates, news and customer stories right into your inbox.

Stay up to date

Never miss an update. Receive product updates, news and customer stories right into your inbox.

Table of contents

Table of contents

Table of contents

Table of contents

Table of contents

What are the elements of a cash flow statement?

What is the difference between direct and indirect cash flow?

What is the relationship between cash flow and an income statement?

How to decide which cash flow methods to use

Simplify cash flow for your ecommerce businesses

Grow your way with Mollie

More updates

EU VAT: Important information for online retailers

EU sales tax presents challenges for merchants when selling across borders. Here you will learn how to implement the requirements correctly.

Oct 30, 2024

What is reconciliation in accounting?

Accounting reconciliation is a process of matching the money coming into a business with the money going out. Learn more with Mollie.

Dec 22, 2022

Methods for calculating rate of return

Learn how to calculate the rate of return on your investment options.

Dec 6, 2022

VAT challenges for online traders and e-commerce companies

Cross-border trade presents complex VAT challenges for online merchants. Find out how to avoid stumbling blocks in the EU.

Nov 1, 2024

EU VAT: Important information for online retailers

EU sales tax presents challenges for merchants when selling across borders. Here you will learn how to implement the requirements correctly.

Oct 30, 2024

What is reconciliation in accounting?

Accounting reconciliation is a process of matching the money coming into a business with the money going out. Learn more with Mollie.

Dec 22, 2022

Mollie GrowthDirect vs. indirect cash flow methods for ecommerce

Mollie GrowthDirect vs. indirect cash flow methods for ecommerce

Mollie GrowthDirect vs. indirect cash flow methods for ecommerce