To find the present value of the cash flow, we need to use the formula for the present value of a future cash flow, which takes into account the time value of money and the interest rate. The formula is:
PV = FV / (1 + r)^n
Where PV is the present value, FV is the future value, r is the interest rate, and n is the number of periods.
In this case, the costs are a negative cash flow and the savings are a positive cash flow. So we can write the equation as:
PV = (-$5,000 + $23,000) / (1 + 0.095)^3
Simplifying the equation:
PV = $18,000 / 1.295
PV = $13,905.02
Therefore, the present value of the cash flow is $13,905.02.