It helps in planning an organization's long-term investments. A company named Neno Plastic Pvt. Example Cash Flow Problem. In financial accounting, operating cash flow (OCF), or cash flow from operating activities (CFO), refers to the amount of cash a company generates from the revenues it brings in, excluding costs associated with long-term investment on capital items or investment in securities. It is useful for measuring the cash margin that is generated by the organization's operations. Starting in year 3 you will receive 5 yearly payments on January 1 for $10,000. On year 2: Company 1, without purchasing any machinery (nor CAPEX) has an Operating Cash Flow = Free Operating Cash Flow of 105$. You are getting 5 payments of $10,000 each per year at 3.48% and paid in advance since it is the beginning of each year. Examples of financial obligations covered by levered cash flow are operating expenses and interest payments. Cash Flow from Operations Formula – Example #1. Analysts use variations of the FCF equation to calculate free cash flow to the firm or equity. Their Operating Cash Flow = Free Operating Cash Flow is the same: 100$. Operating cash flow (OCF), often referred to as cash flow from operations, measures the amount of cash a business produces from its operations using the following formula: Operating cash flow (OCF) = EBIT (earnings before interest & taxes) + depreciation – taxes. Company 2, improved its Operating Cash Flow to 120$. Operating cash flow is the cash generated from the normal operations of a business. Analysts may have to do additional or slightly altered calculations depending on the data at their disposal. OCF Calculator. The simplest way to calculate free cash flow is to subtract capital expenditures from operating cash flow. Another way to calculate it is to break down the individual factors that make up cash from operations. Capital budgeting is really important when making important business decisions. Operating Cash Flow (OCF) Calculator. Free cash flow measures how much cash a company has at its disposal, after covering the costs associated with remaining in business. Ltd, manufacture plastic boxes, company has its net income of $ 45,000, total non-cash expenses of the company are $10,000 and changes in working capital is $2,000. You want to know the present value of that cash flow if your alternative expected rate of return is 3.48% per year. Types of Cash Flow Operating Cash Flow.