Financial Statement: meaning types and limitations
Q.What do you understand by financial statements? Explain its advantages and limitations. And provide the formats of the company's financial statements.
Meaning of financial statements | Meaning of annual accounts
The main objective of preparing the final accounts of any trader is to ascertain the profit/loss and financial position of the business. Under this, he prepares a Profit and Loss Account to ascertain the profit/loss of the business and a Balance Sheet to ascertain the financial position.
In simple words, the final accounts prepared by any trader are called financial statements. Which include the Balance Sheet and the Profit and Loss Account.
Definition of Financial Statements
Regarding financial statements by different scholars are as follows:
According to Smith, "financial statements are prepared as the final product of the financial accounting process"
Characteristics of Financial Statements
1. Financial statements are historical documents because they relate to the past.
2. Financial statements are presented in monetary form.
Objectives of Financial Statements
1. To provide financial information: The main objective of financial statements is to provide financial information related to the business to various parties.
2.To reveal financial position: The objective of financial statements is to reveal the financial position of the business.
3.Information on profit and loss: The main objective of financial statements is to provide information regarding the profit and loss of the business.
4. Information on cash The main objective of financial statements is to provide information on cash, which can be obtained through the cash flow statement.
5. Helpful in forecasting:- Financial statements are helpful in forecasting.
Main qualities of financial statements
The main benefits of financial statements are as follows:
1.Pure Financial statements should be pure/accurate.
2. Simple Financial statements should be simple.
3.Clear Financial statements should be clear.
4.Promptness Financial statements should be available promptly at the end of the period.
Limitations of financial statements
The main limitations of financial statements are as follows:
1.Financial statements are historical documents. Because they are related to the past, meaning they do not correctly depict the current situation.
2. Financial statements are presented in monetary terms. While non-monetary elements also affect the business.
Importance / Utility of Financial Statements for Different Parties
The main importance of financial statements for different parties is as follows:
1.For Managers: Managers prepare financial policy and other business-related plans based on financial statements.
2.For Investors: Investors invest money in the company's shares and debentures based on the financial statements.
3.For Creditors: Creditors buy and sell goods based on financial statements.
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