Cash flow statement (kasstroomoverzicht)
Statement of the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities over the financial year (RJ 360). Shows the change in cash and cash equivalents.
What does cash flow statement mean?
Statement of the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities over the financial year (RJ 360). Shows the change in cash and cash equivalents.
This statement explains the movement in cash and cash equivalents through operating, investing and financing flows. It can be prepared directly or indirectly. Micro and small entities are exempt; the obligation follows from RJ 360 and not from the law.
How does it work?
Book 2 DCC does not mention the cash flow statement. The obligation comes from RJ 360, which prescribes it for medium-sized and large entities. Exempt are, among others, small entities, subsidiaries whose parent provides all the capital and which are included in its equivalent consolidated cash flow statement, and the company annual accounts if the consolidated ones already contain a cash flow statement.
The statement explains the movement in cash: cash and cash equivalents, deposits that are immediately available and equivalents of cash, such as highly liquid investments without significant valuation risk. The cash flows appear in three categories: operating, investing and financing activities. The operating cash flow may be determined under the direct or the indirect method. Interest and dividend are stated separately; for reporting years from 1 January 2027, interest paid and dividend paid are as a rule financing cash flows and interest and dividend received investing cash flows (RJ Statement 2026-6).
Example
A medium-sized wholesaler (BV) over 2026. Operating: operating result € 310.000, depreciation € 90.000, increase in working capital − € 70.000, corporate income tax paid − € 60.000, together € 270.000. Investing: warehouse racking − € 140.000, sale of forklifts + € 15.000, together − € 125.000. Financing: repayment of bank loan − € 80.000, interest paid − € 25.000, dividend − € 50.000, together − € 155.000. Net cash flow: 270.000 − 125.000 − 155.000 = − € 10.000. Cash and cash equivalents on 1 January € 95.000, on 31 December € 85.000.
In the annual accounts
Supplementary statement to the annual accounts where applicable; RJ 360 provides the detail.
Difference from a liquidity forecast
The cash flow statement looks back: it accounts for the actual cash flows of the closed financial year and belongs to the annual accounts. A liquidity forecast looks ahead, per week or month, and is an internal management tool. The layout is often the same, but a forecast is not adopted, audited or filed.
Common mistakes
- Counting depreciation as a cash expenditure
- Including internal transfers as cash flow
What to watch for
- Start with the reconciliation: the closing balance of cash and cash equivalents reconciles to cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet. If the concept differs, for example because of an overdraft facility that belongs to cash management, include a numerical reconciliation.
- Include the prior-year figures; with the new classification of interest and dividend in 2027 you adjust those too (change in accounting policy).
- If a subsidiary applies the group exemption of art. 2:403 DCC, it need not include a cash flow statement under RJ 360.
Legal basis and source
RJ 360
Frequently asked questions
Is the cash flow statement in the law?
No. Title 9 Book 2 DCC mentions the balance sheet, the profit and loss account and the notes. The obligation follows from RJ 360.
Must a small BV prepare a cash flow statement for the bank?
Not by law. A lender can ask for it in the credit agreement; then follow the same three categories.
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Preparing Dutch annual accounts?
Your first set of annual accounts is free, for every size class. Create an account and prepare the annual accounts of your Dutch company under Title 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.
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