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What is Comparative Balance Sheet ?

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What is Comparative Balance Sheet ?

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A Comparative Balance Sheet is a type of financial statement that presents the balance sheet of a company for multiple periods side by side, typically the current period and the corresponding period of the previous year. This allows for easy comparison and helps in drawing useful conclusions about the financial position of the business.

Here are the steps to understand it:

  1. Identification: A comparative balance sheet has two or more columns, each representing the balance sheet of the company for a different period. The most recent period is usually on the left.

  2. Components: Like a regular balance sheet, it consists of assets, liabilities, and equity sections. Each of these sections will have line items like cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, retained earnings, etc.

  3. Comparison: The main purpose of a comparative balance sheet is to compare these line items over the periods presented. This helps in identifying trends, increases or decreases in different accounts, and changes in the company's financial position.

  4. Analysis: Based on the comparisons, one can analyze the company's performance. For example, an increase in cash over the periods could mean the company is generating more cash flow. Similarly, an increase in liabilities could mean the company is taking on more debt.

  5. Decision Making: The analysis from a comparative balance sheet can aid in decision making for management, investors, and creditors. For example, management can use it to decide

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Following are comparative balance sheets spanning 3 years. Express the balance sheets in common-size percentages for each year.Comparative Balance SheetsFor Years Ended December 31  Current Year 1 Year Ago 2 Years AgoCash $ 640 $ 525 $ 552Accounts receivable, net 960 1,200 1,104Merchandise inventory 2,000 1,650 1,242Plant assets, net 4,400 4,125 4,002Total assets $ 8,000 $ 7,500 $ 6,900Accounts payable $ 1,600 $ 825 $ 966Long-term notes payable 1,760 1,875 1,518Common stock 3,440 3,675 3,450Retained earnings 1,200 1,125 966Total liabilities and equity $ 8,000 $ 7,500 $ 6,900

study the balance sheet of a listed company

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