Big Un's new set of accounts show Cash Flows ain't Cash Flows
Castrol always told us that "oils ain't oils" and Big Un has now confirmed that cash flows ain't cash flows.
The failed online video review business finally released its accounts for the six months ended December 31 and they showed operating cash flows were sharply negative to the tune of $9.4m (Figure 1, below).
That's completely at odds with the positive $16.8m operating cashflow reported for the same period ("Year to date" column in Figure 2, below) when Big Un announced them six months ago.
Figure 1: Big Un's net cash used in operating activities as reported on its newly released half year accounts.
Figure 2: Big Un's net cash used in operating activities as reported in its quarterly cash flow statemnet released in January 2018.
What's the difference? In the newly released half year accounts, Big Un's accountants have adopted an accounting standard under which "no revenue is recognised on receipt of monies from sponsors, as the sponsor does not meet the definition of a customer... Advances from a sponsor are treated as a financial liability on the balance sheet rather than revenue."
Notes to the accounts discuss the fact that on 8 February 2018 the company was subjected to media scrutiny regarding a "sponsor", First Class Securities Pty Ltd, resulting in questioning of the company's accounting policies.
While not detailed in the accounts, Big Un did disclose in February, for the first time, that First Class was effectively offering financing of customer payments that allowed Big Un to receive cash immediately even though the customer may not accept the promotional video Big Un was producing for them (in which case Big Un would have to find a new customer or repay First Class).
One of my favourite articles this year, from the AFR's Jonathan Shapiro, goes into far more detail here: https://www.afr.com/business/inside-the-boiler-room-that-is-big-un-limited-20180301-h0wv2t
The failed online video review business finally released its accounts for the six months ended December 31 and they showed operating cash flows were sharply negative to the tune of $9.4m (Figure 1, below).
That's completely at odds with the positive $16.8m operating cashflow reported for the same period ("Year to date" column in Figure 2, below) when Big Un announced them six months ago.
Figure 1: Big Un's net cash used in operating activities as reported on its newly released half year accounts.
Figure 2: Big Un's net cash used in operating activities as reported in its quarterly cash flow statemnet released in January 2018.
What's the difference? In the newly released half year accounts, Big Un's accountants have adopted an accounting standard under which "no revenue is recognised on receipt of monies from sponsors, as the sponsor does not meet the definition of a customer... Advances from a sponsor are treated as a financial liability on the balance sheet rather than revenue."
Notes to the accounts discuss the fact that on 8 February 2018 the company was subjected to media scrutiny regarding a "sponsor", First Class Securities Pty Ltd, resulting in questioning of the company's accounting policies.
While not detailed in the accounts, Big Un did disclose in February, for the first time, that First Class was effectively offering financing of customer payments that allowed Big Un to receive cash immediately even though the customer may not accept the promotional video Big Un was producing for them (in which case Big Un would have to find a new customer or repay First Class).
One of my favourite articles this year, from the AFR's Jonathan Shapiro, goes into far more detail here: https://www.afr.com/business/inside-the-boiler-room-that-is-big-un-limited-20180301-h0wv2t
