How is it possible for a company to suffer a net loss for a given year yet produce a positive net cash flow from operating activities?

A net loss means that accrual-based expenses exceeded accrual-based revenues for the period. However if you eliminate the effect of (add back) such noncash expenses as depreciation and amortization it is possible to have produced a positive net cash flow from operations. Increasing payables (not paying all expenses incurred this period) and decreasing receivables (collecting more receivables than sales) this period would also cause cash flow to be higher than related net income or loss.