A balance sheet. It’s a little glimpse into the success or failure of a business. Hard numbers don’t lie. So if you want to understand the financial position of a business at a specific point in time, look at the balance sheet. You may have also heard the balance sheet being called a statement of financial position. Together with the Profit and Loss Statement, and possibly other reports such as the Statement of Cash-flow, these reports provide a complete understanding of the financial position and business performance.
The balance sheet has three sections: assets, liabilities and equity. Let’s get a better understanding.
What are Assets?
Assets are things and resources that a company owns. They have current and/or future value and can be measured in dollar value.
Assets may be subdivided on the balance sheet into bank accounts, current assets, (receivable within one year), fixed assets, inventory, non-current (or long term) assets, intangible assets and prepayments.
These include banks and other financial accounts held, accounts receivable (trade debtors), supplier deposits, stock on hand (inventory), property, equipment, vehicles, investments and intellectual property.
What are Liabilities?
Liabilities are amounts owed to suppliers and other creditors for goods or services already received. Liabilities may also include amounts received in advance for future services yet to be provided by the business.
Liabilities are generally subdivided into current, (payable within one year), and non-current liabilities (not due for more than one year).
These include accounts payable (trade creditors), payroll obligations (PAYGW, superannuation, provision for leave), taxes (provision for income tax and GST), customer deposits received, warranties, business loans and credit cards.
What is Equity?
Equity includes owner funds contributed, drawings, retained earnings and stocks. The value of the equity equals assets minus liabilities.
Transactions that affect profit and loss accounts also affect balance sheet accounts. For example, providing a service increases the accounts receivable balance, which therefore increases the equity.
The Balance Sheet Equation
It’s important that the balance sheet must always balance.
This is a simple equation. Asset value = liabilities + equity.
For example, if you buy a new vehicle for the business at say $50,000, having paid a $10,000 deposit and taking out a $40,000 loan, the value of fixed assets increases by $50k, but the bank asset value decreases by the $10k deposit paid. The value of liabilities increases by $40k loan, thus leaving the balance sheet balanced on both sides of the equation.
The balance sheet equation shows you how much money you would have leftover if you paid all your bills and debts and sold all your assets on a given date. This amount is the Owner’s Equity.
Note that the balance sheet equity total is not necessarily how much the business is worth at market value. Assets are listed on the balance sheet at their transaction value, which may be very different from the market value. Some assets may be worth more, and others may depreciate in value. Business value is calculated not just on the balance sheet figures but many other factors.
Hope that gives you a better understanding of the basics of balance sheets. If you’d like us to help you get a complete picture of your business performance, we’re only a quick call away. Get in touch!
