Financial Statements: A Brief Overview
Financial statements are formal records that provide
insights into a company's financial health and
performance. The two most commonly used financial
statements are the balance sheet and the income
statement.
1. Balance Sheet: This statement presents a snapshot
of a company’s financial position at a specific point
in time. It shows three main components:
o Assets: What the company owns (e.g., cash,
inventory, equipment).
o Liabilities: What the company owes (e.g.,
loans, accounts payable).
o Equity: The owners’ stake in the company
(e.g., retained earnings, common stock). The
fundamental formula is:
Assets=Liabilities+Equity
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2. Income Statement: Also known as a profit and loss
statement, it shows the company's financial
performance over a period of time, typically a
quarter or a year. It details:
o Revenue: The total income from sales or
services.
o Expenses: The costs incurred in generating
that revenue.
o Net Income: The profit or loss after all
revenues and expenses have been accounted
for. The formula is:
o
Net Income=Revenue−Expenses
These financial statements help stakeholders assess the
financial viability, profitability, and overall stability of a
company. Other key financial reports include the cash
flow statement, which tracks the inflow and outflow of
cash, and the statement of shareholders' equity, which
outlines changes in the owners’ equity.