Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Noncash charges are expenses that do not involve cash transactions during the accounting period. Common examples include depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation. When calculating net income, these charges are added back to the net income because they reduce the net income figure on the income statement but do not actually involve a cash outflow.

The rationale behind this treatment is rooted in the goal of reflecting the company's cash-generating ability more accurately. By adding back noncash charges, analysts and stakeholders can get a clearer picture of the company's operating performance and cash flow.

In the context of financial analysis and valuation, understanding the difference between cash and noncash items is critical, as it helps in assessing a company's financial health and its ability to meet obligations. Therefore, when adjusting net income for reporting or analysis purposes, noncash charges are added back to present a more accurate reflection of operational cash flow.