Basically, this method develops cash flows starting with net income; adjustments to net income are made for noncash items affecting accrual-basis net income. Essentially, net income is converted from the accrual basis to a cash basis(e.g., cash flow from operations).
The other cash inflows and outflows are estimated for nonoperating items such as sale of fixed assets, capital additions, and payment of debt and dividends: These estimates are computed much like the cash receipts and disbursements method. For a common set of underlying plans, the cash receipts and disbursements approach and the financial accounting approach derive the same cash flow results.
The cash receipts and disbursements method provides more detail data that are useful for assessment and control of cash flows.