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The Key Financial Statements of a Business
The success of business is not based on how a company is able to effectively convert material and labor into goods and services. Although it is important to ascertain whether the customers are satisfied with the delivery of the merchandise, it is important that the company is able to keep up all of its financial statements. These statements tell the story of how a certain business operates (Biery, 2013). Meaning, financial statements will ascertain the performance of the company and its corresponding value, and how matters relating to the company's success should be managed. For the purposes of this paper, the income tax statement, the balance sheet, and the cash flow statement will be discussed.
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The information included in this financial statement is the company's assets and liabilities and the accounting and finance of the owner (Shah, 2009). Through the balance sheet, a manager or an entrepreneur is able to know how much money he has to pay, or how much money does he expect to earn in his business (Shah, 2009). Clearly, the balance sheet is necessary because it gives the owner the overall picture of the financial health of the business (Shah, 2009). When owners are aware of their business' worth, they are able to come up with better management decisions which will benefit the business in the long …show more content…
I have to consider the pulse of the business so that investors are attracted to invest. I have to make sure that the revenues will allow the business to survive regardless of what crisis it will face in the future. Through the balance sheet, I am able to determine what the company owns and what it owes in each day. The information provided in the income statement will make me aware of what products the company sells and its costs over a specific period of time. Through the statement of cash flows, I am able to determine the amount of cash that comes into the business and the amount of cash that goes out for the same purpose. Through these financial statements, I am able to compare the business to others in the same market and undertake certain endeavors that would ensure that the company does not only maintain its competence in the industry, but it is also able to provide the customers’ needs and wants and at the same time, earning more profits for the success of the
The statement displays the relationship of the net income to the changes in the cash balances. It is important to understand that cash balances can wane despite an increase in net revenue (Horngren, 2014, p. 674). The statement also aids in the evaluation of management’s use of cash and management’s generation, defining a company’s capability to pay dividends and interest to pay debts when the time comes to pay them, and forecasting upcoming cash flows (Horngren, 2014, p. 674). The balance sheet displays the status of an entity at a specific time. Contrary to the balance sheet, income statements and cash flows cover periods over time.
Financial statement users around the globe use financial statements to evaluate the performance of companies (Fundamentals of Financial Accounting, 2006). In order to locate a company’s reported assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues, statement users rely on four types of financial statements. The four financial statements include: Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Statement of Retained Earnings, and Statement of Cash Flows (Fundamentals of Financial Accounting, 2006, p. 6). Each of these reports provides different information to the financial statement user. The Balance Sheet reports at a point in time: a company’s assets (what it owns), liabilities (what it owes) and stockholder’s equity (what is left over for the owners) (Fundamentals of Financial Accounting, 2006, p.7). The Income Statement shows whether a business made a profit (net income) during a specific period of time (Fundamentals of Financial Accounting, 2006, p. 10). The Statement of Retained Earnings illustrates what portions of the company’s earnings was paid to stockholders and retained by the company for future operations (Fundamentals of Financial Accounting, 2006, p.12). Finally, the Statement of Cash Flows reports summarizes how a business’ “operating, investing, and financial activities caused its cash balance to change over a particular range of time” (Fundamentals of Financial Accounting, 2006, p.13).
“The objective of financial statements is to provide information about the financial strength, performance and changes in financial position of an enterprise that is useful to a wide range of users in making economic decisions.”
Financial statements are essential to the success of a small business. Financial statements have a value that goes far beyond preparing tax returns or applying for loans, and can be used as a roadmap to steer you in the right direction and help you avoid costly breakdowns (U.S. Small Business Administration [USSBA] 2014).
This statement provides management, owners, and executives with a snapshot of a company’s financial position within a specific time period. This is not to be confused with an income statement which focuses on the company’s operations. The major types of assets indicated on a balance sheet include; cash, accounts receivable, inventories, current, other, total, net, and other long-term assets (Melicher & Norton, 2014). Claims against a company’s assets can be made by creditors, owners, or
A balance sheet is an educational, financial tool that summarizes a company’s assets, liabilities, and net worth during a particular time frame. The data provided by the balance sheet informs the organizational leaders of the financial status of the firm. Moreover, the balance sheet displays what the company owns and owes (Edmonds, Tsay, & Olds, 2011). Completing as well as understanding the numbers is equally as critical as the meaning behind the figures.
The financial position of the company is present about the economic resources. This enables users of the
The Purpose of Financial Statements The financial statements of a business are used to provide information about the status of the business, set performance targets and impose restrictions on the managers of the firm as well as provide an easier method for financial planning. The financial statements consist of the Profit and Loss Account, Balance Sheet and the Cash Flow Statement. There are four areas of information, which we can collect from a company's financial statements. They are: Ÿ Profitability - This information comes from the Profit and Loss account. Were we can compare this year's profit with the previous years.
Managers, firm owners, and investors keep track of their firm performance. Financial statements are used to keep track of the strengths and weaknesses of firms. The three major financial statements used are income statements, balance sheets, and statement of cash flows. Financial ratios are also used to measure where a company stands within itself and in its industry norms. This analysis is called Financial Statement Analysis. Financial Statement Analysis gives understanding to a firm’s financial position at a given point of time and predictions for the future.
Owners and managers require financial statements to make important business decisions that affect its continued operations. Financial analysis is then performed on these statements to provide management with a more detailed understanding of the figures. These statements are also used as part of management's annual report to the stockholders.
Balance sheets are very important for parties like suppliers, investors, competitors, customers, etc. to know the company’s position, company’s strength and company’s weaknesses. Balance sheets helps to ascertain the amount of capital employed in the business so that we can further calculate different types of ratios. Some important objectives of preparing balance sheets are:
...per how important accounting systems has been for business such as corporation, Partnership, and Sole proprietorship. We defined what accounting information system is and how it works in business. We discussed why every business should have Accounting Information system because it helps us answer questions such as should we expend our company overseas? Do we have enough payroll for our employees? Accounting information systems can also help us understand what types of inventory we should use. As we discussed basic structures of assets, liabilities, and stock holder’s equity. We will also discussed four basic financial statements and effects of Revenues, expenses and dividends. Finally also discussed difference between net income and cash flow. We learned why business owner should have accounting information systems and what impact it could have on his business.
Accounting information can be used by business owners to carry out a financial analysis of the businesses and their operations. The use of this information for such function is attributed to the fact that it usually contains quantitative and qualitative characteristics. While quantitative characteristics are the calculations of financial transactions while qualitative characteristics can be described as the business owner’s apparent significance of financial information. In essence, qualitative characteristics of financial information are attributes that contribute to the usefulness of information provided in financial statements. Since these qualities can sometimes be at odds with each other, they need to be balanced against each other. In addition, these qualities are essential in decision making because they provide the basis for assessing businesses and the effectiveness of their operations.
Business owners’ use at least four major financial statements to keep a grasps on their company 's finances during a specific time frame. Financial statements are usually completed monthly, quarterly, semiannually and annually. The major financial statements include the statement of cash flows, the statement of stockholder 's equity, the balance sheet, and the income statement. Each one provides a different awareness into a company 's financial status in the stated period.
White, Gerald, Ashwinpaul Sondhi, and Haim Fried. The Analysis and Use of Financial Statements. June 1997. John Wiley & Sons. 2nd Edition.