Where does the money come from, where does it go? As a central analytical tool, the cash flow statement provides precise answers to these elementary questions of corporate management. It makes financial flows transparent and enables effective liquidity management - a core competency for sustainable business success. This article explains the essential components of the cash flow statement and shows how auditors and financial managers can use the insights gained for well-founded decisions.

The classification and measurement of financial instruments under IFRS 9 is challenging for auditors, tax consultants, and heads of accounting. The standard requires a differentiated consideration of business models and cash flow characteristics to ensure appropriate classification and subsequent measurement. This article highlights the essential aspects of IFRS 9 and demonstrates how to successfully implement the requirements in practice. It considers both the classification requirements and the special features of impairment and hedge accounting.