ROOM FOR DEBATE

• Debate 71Usefulness of the Statement of Cash Flows versus the Income Statement

  According to SFAC No. 1, financial statements should provide information that is useful for investors decision making. Paragraph 37 of SFAC No. 1states that financial reporting should provide information to help users assess the amounts, timing, and uncertainty of prospective cash flows. Paragraph 43 of SFAC No. 1 states that the primary focus of financial reporting is providing information about an enterprises performance based on measures of earnings and earnings components.

  Team Debate:

  Team 1:

  Present arguments that the statement of cash flows, not the income statement, is the most important financial statement to prospective investors.

  Team 2:

  Present arguments that the income statement, not the statement of cash flows, is the most important financial statement to prospective investors.