When I print a cash flow report asking for January activity and last year’s January activity, my beginning balance is the same in all four columns. The number that is printing is my December 2004 ending balance. It is printing that same number for beginning balance in Jan Activity (January 2005) and Jan Last Year (January 2004). When I print January 2004 reports, the correct numbers show on the report for 2004. Those numbers do not flow through to the beginning balance on the January 2005 report.

The sources of cash, uses of cash and net cash flow are correct comparing them to the actual January 2004 report.

I'm sure it is something really simple I have failed to do. Please help!

Thanks for you question.

The data on the reports is correct. There are many ways to present a cash-flow report. To compare years, normally you just compare the cash flows. Financial Navigator cash-flow reports also display beginning & ending balances, in addition to the cash flows. Sometimes you want to know "What would I end up with this year, If I had the same cash flows as last year?" FN cash-flow reports answer the question, using this year's starting balance.

In your January 2005 report you noticed that the 2005 beginning balance in the Jan Activity column is the same as the beginning balance in the Jan Last Year column. That is because FN uses this year's starting balance with last year's cash flow to show you what you would have had this year if you had last year's cash flow.

I realize this is a little confusing, since the column header is Jan Last Year. Just remember that the beginning & ending balances in that column are based on the current year, so that you have an accurate picture of your current situation, but with last year's cash flow.

If what you want is to compare last year's balances with this year's, use a balance sheet report.

If you want to show cash flows, but don't want this year's balances in the last year comparison, you can:

• Turn off the last year columns (Report Selection | Options | Print Column | None)
• Hide the two rows with balances (Select the row in the report | Format | Row | Hide)
• Export to Excel and make any changes desired, including inserting last year's balances.

- David
FNI Support