What does a cash-flow statement summarize?

• A. It shows only assets.
• B. It summarizes all income and expense transactions over a specific time period.
• C. It lists liabilities only.
• D. It shows investments growth.

Answer: (B)

A cash-flow statement focuses on how cash moves in and out of the business over a period, showing the actual cash effects of operating, investing, and financing activities. It answers how much cash is generated or used during a specific timeframe, leading to a net increase or decrease in cash.

That’s why the option describing it as summarizing all income and expense transactions over a specific time period fits best: it captures the idea of cash receipts and cash payments that occur within the period, rather than just listing assets, liabilities, or the growth of investments. Assets and liabilities appear on the balance sheet, not in the cash-flow statement, and while investments can affect cash flows, the statement isn’t a measure of investments’ growth itself.