[Verse 1] The CFO adjusts the numbers late at night Moving cash around to make the quarters bright Operating cash becomes investing grade A simple reclassification masquerade They stretch the vendor payments forty days While customers get discounted early pays The balance sheet stays clean and debt looks low But something's wrong beneath this polished show [Chorus] Cash flow tricks and sleight of hand C-S-C manipulation planned Classification, Stretching, Capitalizing too Red flags waving right in front of you When operating cash flow starts to fade But investing numbers climb like a parade Question every footnote that you see Cash flow trickery [Verse 2] They capitalize the training costs as assets Software licenses in investment baskets What should hit the income statement now Gets buried in the balance sheet somehow Watch the working capital swing around Accounts receivable climbing off the ground While inventory sits for months on end These warning signs you need to comprehend [Chorus] Cash flow tricks and sleight of hand C-S-C manipulation planned Classification, Stretching, Capitalizing too Red flags waving right in front of you When operating cash flow starts to fade But investing numbers climb like a parade Question every footnote that you see Cash flow trickery [Bridge] Compare the cash flow to the income earned Check if receivables have really turned Look for footnotes buried deep inside Where management's assumptions like to hide [Verse 3] The ratios don't match the cash you see Quality of earnings mystery When sales go up but cash flow drops below That's when you need to dig and really know Sustainable or just accounting art These games will tear investor trust apart [Chorus] Cash flow tricks and sleight of hand C-S-C manipulation planned Classification, Stretching, Capitalizing too Red flags waving right in front of you When operating cash flow starts to fade But investing numbers climb like a parade Question every footnote that you see Cash flow trickery [Outro] Trust but verify what the statements show The truth lives in the cash flow
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