As a shortcut, therefore, some analysts arrive at the operating cash flow simply by adding Depreciation Expense to Net Income. They disregard changes in the working capital accounts on the assumption that these changes net out to a minor amount. This shortcut may give the impression that depreciation is a cash flow. Such an impression is [approximately correct / dead wrong]. Also, since the statement of cash flows is a required financial statement, it is a good idea to read it and obtain the operating cash flow information directly from it.