Glossary · Reading the business
In short
The cash generated by a business's normal operations before accounting for financing or investment activities. It shows how much cash the business truly produces.
When you're evaluating a business, focus on its Operating Cash Flow, not just net profit. This figure reflects the actual cash available to pay expenses, invest in the business, and most importantly, cover your new loan's Debt Service Requirements. It's a primary component of Adjusted Net Operating Income.
Defined by DealRoom.so SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
Pressure-test the numbers before you make an offer
Send us the asking price and the seller's cash flow — we'll show whether the deal services SBA debt and where the add-backs are likely to hold up.
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