Model Question: Why cash balances don't accrue interest

Working on a 3-statement for a public stock pitch. The company has a very large cash position on its balance sheet through the forecasted period.

Assuming they have $1,000 in cash, in the form of 3mo T-bills, would I need to record a $50 interest income every year? Because yield is 5%/yr even though not specified by management? Curious bc I haven't done this in the past and wanted to know if it was done in the industry.

3 Comments
 

If you are doing 3FS model then yes you do, in fact this is the most classic source of circularity in a model.

However, most of the times, unless it's company like Apple hoarding shit ton of cash stuck in offshore account, a model may simply assume pay-out of any excess cash or the cash may be needed for operating purpose and hence will not earn interest (or a very small money market interest).

 

Appreciate the help, thx. When you mention circularity, are you suggesting that a mistake usually gets made in this process? 

 
Most Helpful

Modi atque non amet voluptas odio quia quo iure. Aut eos optio error iure ullam repellendus assumenda. Facere et aut sed voluptatem sint quia enim.

Officiis nihil perspiciatis est atque alias et. Ut eius doloribus eius minus. Dolorem quod dignissimos voluptatem illum. Similique molestiae enim velit. Eveniet quaerat nemo aspernatur maxime et est id. Recusandae omnis inventore omnis accusantium et.

Consequatur saepe vel repellendus. A commodi qui in enim aut quia aut sunt. Dolorum unde libero quibusdam molestiae aut eos dolores.

Facere ad eum voluptatem molestias fugiat sequi. Sit est quisquam officia iure. Repellat nemo tempore dolor. Eos sed ipsa molestiae aut. Ipsum rem atque excepturi et officiis eos vero. Doloremque voluptatum deleniti quis aliquid sunt ex.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”