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A financial statement is a formal record of the financial activities,  and position of a business, person, or other entity. It is presented in a structured manner and in a form easy to understand.
The Components of a Financial Statement
Broadly, the following make up a part of the financial statements of any firm or organization:

  • Balance sheet: It shows a statement of financial position, the entity’s assets, liabilities, and stockholders’ equity as on the report date. However, it does not show information that covers a span of time as it shows figures of assets and liabilities on a particular date.
  • Income statement: It shows a statement of comprehensive income, statement of revenue and expenses and p/l report. It includes items of revenues, expenses, gains, and losses. It also provides information on operations carried out by the enterprise.
  • Cash flow statement: It helps in showing the changes in the entity’s cash flows including operating, investing and financing activities during the reporting period.
  • Explanatory notes: These include explanations of various activities, additional detail on some accounts, and other items.

What is the use of a financial statement?
As a whole, financial statements fulfil the following purpose, which makes them indispensable:

  • First, to scrutinize the ability of a business to generate cash and the sources and utilization of that cash.
  • Second, to ascertain whether a business has the capability to pay back its debts.
  • Third, to help track financial results on a trend line to spot any looming profitability issues.
  • Next, to help derive financial ratios from the statements that can indicate the condition of the business.
  • Lastly, to investigate the particulars of certain business transactions, as mentioned in the disclosures that accompany along with the statements.

If a business has plans to issue its financial statements to outside users such as investors or creditors, the financial statements should be ideally formatted in accordance with one of the major accounting frameworks. These frameworks allow for some leeway in how financial statements can be structured, so statements issued by different firms even in the same industry are likely to have somewhat different appearances. Financial statements that are being issued to outside parties may be audited to verify their accuracy.

Financial Statement Problems and Solutions
Problem 1:

Prepare Adjustment Entries, Adjusted Trial Balance and three Informal Financial Statements excluding cash flow statement.
Introduction to Financial Statements | Cost Accounting - B Com
Introduction to Financial Statements | Cost Accounting - B Com

Adjustments

  • Inventory on 31st, December 2015 was valued at Rs. 68,000.
  • Depreciation Machinery by 10 % and Amortization of Patents by 20 %.
  • Unexpired Insurance at the end financial year was Rs. 2,000.
  • Wages includes Rs. 7,000 paid as advance to employees (Prepaid Wages Debit).

Solution 1. Adjustment Entries
Introduction to Financial Statements | Cost Accounting - B Com
Solution 2. Adjusted Trial Balance
Introduction to Financial Statements | Cost Accounting - B Com
Introduction to Financial Statements | Cost Accounting - B Com
Solution 3. Three Financial Statements (Informal) 
Introduction to Financial Statements | Cost Accounting - B Com

Introduction to Financial Statements | Cost Accounting - B Com

Introduction to Financial Statements | Cost Accounting - B Com
Introduction to Financial Statements | Cost Accounting - B Com

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FAQs on Introduction to Financial Statements - Cost Accounting - B Com

1. What are financial statements?
Financial statements are documents that provide a summary of a company's financial transactions, operations, and financial position. These statements include the balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows, and statement of changes in equity. They are prepared by companies to provide information about their financial performance and help stakeholders make informed decisions.
2. What is the purpose of financial statements?
The main purpose of financial statements is to provide relevant and reliable information about a company's financial performance, position, and cash flows. These statements help stakeholders such as investors, creditors, and government authorities in assessing a company's financial health, profitability, liquidity, and solvency. They also assist in comparing the company's performance with industry standards and making informed decisions regarding investments, lending, and regulatory compliance.
3. How are financial statements prepared?
Financial statements are prepared by following a standardized accounting framework, such as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The process involves recording and summarizing all financial transactions, classifying them into different categories, and presenting them in the form of financial statements. Accountants use various accounting principles, estimation techniques, and accounting standards to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information presented in the statements.
4. What is the significance of the balance sheet in financial statements?
The balance sheet is a crucial component of financial statements as it provides a snapshot of a company's financial position at a specific point in time. It presents the company's assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity. The balance sheet helps in evaluating the company's liquidity, solvency, and financial stability. It also facilitates the calculation of important financial ratios, such as the current ratio and debt-to-equity ratio, which are used to assess the company's financial health and risk profile.
5. How can financial statements be used for financial analysis?
Financial statements play a vital role in financial analysis as they provide essential information for evaluating a company's financial performance and making investment decisions. By analyzing the income statement, investors can assess the company's revenue, expenses, and profitability. The balance sheet helps in evaluating the company's assets, liabilities, and equity, while the statement of cash flows provides insights into the company's cash inflows and outflows. Financial ratios, derived from these statements, aid in comparing the company's performance with industry benchmarks and identifying areas of strength or weakness.
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