In financial terms, what does CF = NI imply?

The relationship expressed by CF = NI (Cash Flow = Net Income) indicates that cash flow and net income are not necessarily the same due to the timing of cash flows in relation to accounting practices. This means that there can be instances where revenues are recognized before cash is actually received or where expenses are recorded before cash is paid out. This creates a potential mismatch between revenue and cash inflow, as well as between costs and cash outflow.

Therefore, option C correctly identifies this mismatch. It highlights that while net income is calculated based on accrual accounting principles, cash flow represents actual cash movements. As a result, capturing the differences between these two metrics provides a clearer picture of a company's financial health. Understanding this discrepancy is crucial for financial analysis and decision-making, as it affects liquidity and the ability to generate actual cash for operations and investments.