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March 30, 2009

Should a company focus on cash flows or accounting profits when making a capital expenditure decision?

Using the incremental cash flows and discounting them to reflect the time value of money is the preferred method. The two most common techniques involved in discounting cash flows are net present value and internal rate of return.

While the discounted cash flow models are the ideal, I would also want to forecast or project the impact on the company’s future financial statements. Therefore, I would also calculate and understand the effect on the accounting profits resulting from the capital expenditure.

Learn more about Evaluating Business Investments.




Comments

12 Responses to “Should a company focus on cash flows or accounting profits when making a capital expenditure decision?”

  1. sunday on April 2nd, 2009 3:45 am

    its so good! but you should increase the number of simplified illustrations and case studies and be up to date as far as accounting standard is concerned

  2. Jane L. Munion on April 2nd, 2009 7:56 am

    is it possible for me to have a review in accounting subject?

  3. Yem on April 2nd, 2009 7:57 am

    Depreciation
    Which should we use for when you do the taxes? Should we use for miles or other expense together or just miles

  4. nyangasa on April 2nd, 2009 12:53 pm

    how to correct these accounts to give the journal entries by which will be credit and debit side?

    a cheque of $ 1,500, being rent received from nyangasa co. had only been entered in the cash book.

  5. pelumi on April 5th, 2009 6:38 am

    good job

  6. riya on April 8th, 2009 3:46 am

    i want to knowe the difference accounting&financial accounting

  7. Bolanle on April 8th, 2009 6:29 am

    company shoui focus on cash flow

  8. Bolanle on April 8th, 2009 6:30 am

    company shouid focus on cash flow

  9. charles on April 9th, 2009 5:19 am

    company should focus on cash flow, acounting profit is speculative but cash flow is actuals

  10. randy on April 15th, 2009 2:14 am

    Can i buy this book or this accounting coach in Bookstore? Can u send me a copy of ur books? and how much do i pay?

  11. ACoach on April 15th, 2009 7:34 pm

    You can get all of AccountingCoach.com’s material in the form of a download of PDF files. The cost is $30 and the order information is on the website. From the PDF files you can print the pages you wish to have.

  12. Elma on April 22nd, 2009 12:18 pm

    Well this question needs more then a simple answer, because we have to analyze the situation of the company in the moment that it has to do this expenditure and how important this expenditure is. Cash flow show to us the flexibility of the company, how fast it cash money for every expenditure made, and the accounting profits shows how good its activity is and is it worth to continue or not. So, for my opinion both are important, but the accounting profit is the most correct to be focus on
    Thank You

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