Because of accrual accounting. Wikipedia accrual vs. cash basis of accounting.
You make sales on credit, but haven't collected cash yet.
NI goes up, but A/R goes up instead of cash.
You have earnings but no cash.
Net income differs from net operating cash flows for several reasons. One reason is noncash expenses, such as depreciation and the amortization of intangible assets. These expenses, which require no cash outlays, reduce net income but do not affect net cash flows. Another reason is the many timing differences existing between the recognition of revenue and expense and the occurrence of the underlying cash flows. Finally, nonoperating gains and losses enter into the determination of net income, but the related cash flows are classified as investing or financing activities, not operating activities.
An individual's net income is used to determine how much income tax is owed. ... cash flows from operating activities ...
The main difference between the direct method and the indirect method involves the cash flows from operating activities. Under the direct method, the cash flows from operating activities will include the amounts for lines such as cash from customers and cash paid to suppliers. In contrast, the indirect method will show net income followed by the adjustments needed to convert the total net income to the cash amount from operating activities.
operating cash flows are all those cash inflows and outflows due to basic business operating activities.
Operating activities
Net income differs from net operating cash flows for several reasons. One reason is noncash expenses, such as depreciation and the amortization of intangible assets. These expenses, which require no cash outlays, reduce net income but do not affect net cash flows. Another reason is the many timing differences existing between the recognition of revenue and expense and the occurrence of the underlying cash flows. Finally, nonoperating gains and losses enter into the determination of net income, but the related cash flows are classified as investing or financing activities, not operating activities.
the advantage is that it focuses on the differences between net income and net cash flows from operating activities. Meaning, it makes it more useful to relate the statement of cash flows and the income statement and balance sheet. Also it is less costly to change net income to net cash flow from operating activities.
An individual's net income is used to determine how much income tax is owed. ... cash flows from operating activities ...
operating cash flows are all those cash inflows and outflows due to basic business operating activities.
Wages payable goes on the "cash flows from operating activities" Either as an add or deduct to net income (when using the indirect method)
The main difference between the direct method and the indirect method involves the cash flows from operating activities. Under the direct method, the cash flows from operating activities will include the amounts for lines such as cash from customers and cash paid to suppliers. In contrast, the indirect method will show net income followed by the adjustments needed to convert the total net income to the cash amount from operating activities.
operating cash flows are all those cash inflows and outflows due to basic business operating activities.
Depreciation is added back to net income to arrive on cash flow from operating activities because depreciation itself don't cause any inflow or outflow of cash that's why it is added back to net operating income.
Operating activities
Adjust the net income for non cash items to find cash flows from operating activities.
Net cash flow means net of cash inflow and outflows while operating cash flows means cash flows generated by operating activities of business.
When preparing a statement of cash flows using the indirect method, cash flows from operating activities primarily include cash transactions related to the core business operations, such as receipts from customers and payments to suppliers. However, cash flows related to the acquisition or sale of long-term assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, are classified as investing activities, not operating activities. Therefore, any cash flows associated with investing or financing activities should not be included in operating activities on the statement of cash flows.