Cash flow statement : the direct vs indirect controversy

Abstract

SAS 7 (Revised), titled 'Cash Flow Statement", was introduced in Singapore in August 1994. This is in line with the trend in the US and other countries where cash flow statement has been adopted in favour of funds statement. Before the promulgation of cash flow statement in these countries, there was a heated debate on the choice of method (direct vs. indirect) to be used to prepare cash flow statement. Subsequently, many countries recommended the direct method in their standards. Despite the recommendation, most of the preparers adopted the indirect method in practice. In light of this controversial situation, our project seeks to find out the attitudes towards the cash flow reporting format from the perspectives of both the preparers and users of cash flow statement in Singapore.