A balance sheet is a financial statement that provides a snapshot of a company's financial position. It is one of the three main financial statements, along with the income statement and cash flow statement, that are used to evaluate a company's financial health.

In this article, we will explore the basics of balance sheets, including what they are, how they are structured, and how to interpret them.

What is a Balance Sheet?

A balance sheet is a financial statement that shows a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time. It is called a balance sheet because the total of a company's assets must equal the total of its liabilities and equity.

For most entities the values displayed on the balance sheet are recorded on a cost basis and not market value.  

The balance sheet is divided into two main sections: assets and liabilities/equity. Assets are the resources that a company owns, while liabilities and equity represent the sources of those assets.

Assets

Assets are the resources that a company owns and can use to generate revenue. They are typically listed in order of liquidity, meaning the ease with which they can be converted into cash. The most liquid assets, such as cash and marketable securities, are listed first, followed by less liquid assets like inventory and property.

Some common types of assets include:

• Cash and cash equivalents: This includes physical cash, as well as highly liquid assets like money market accounts and short-term investments.
• Accounts receivable: This is money that is owed to the company by its customers for goods or services that have been delivered but not yet paid for.
• Inventory: This includes the goods that a company has on hand to sell to customers.
• Property, plant, and equipment: This includes physical assets like buildings, machinery, and equipment that are used to generate revenue.
• Intangible assets: These are non-physical assets, such as patents, trademarks, and goodwill, that have value but cannot be touched.

Liabilities and Equity

Liabilities and equity represent the sources of a company's assets. Liabilities are the debts that a company owes, while equity represents the ownership interest in the company.

Some common types of liabilities include:

• Accounts payable: This is money that a company owes to its suppliers for goods or services that have been received but not yet paid for.
• Loans and other debts: This includes any money that a company has borrowed from banks or other lenders.
• Accrued expenses: These are expenses that have been incurred but not yet paid, such as salaries and taxes.

Equity represents the ownership interest in a company and is made up of two main components:

• Common stock: This is the amount of money that has been invested in the company by its shareholders.
• Retained earnings: This is the portion of a company's profits that have been reinvested into the business rather than distributed to shareholders as dividends.

How a balance sheet is structured

A balance sheet is structured in a specific way to ensure that the total of a company's assets equals the total of its liabilities and equity. The basic structure of a balance sheet is as follows:

Assets = Liabilities + Equity

The balance sheet equation, also known as the accounting equation, is the foundation of the balance sheet. It states that a company's assets must equal the sum of its liabilities and equity.

This equation is based on the fundamental accounting principle of double-entry bookkeeping, which states that every financial transaction has two equal and opposite effects on a company's balance sheet. For example, if a company purchases a new piece of equipment for $10,000, the asset account for equipment will increase by $10,000, and cash at bank will decrease by $10,000.

Current vs. Non-Current Assets and Liabilities

Assets and liabilities are further divided into current and non-current categories on the balance sheet. Current assets and liabilities are those that are expected to be used or paid within one year, while non-current assets and liabilities are those that are expected to be used or paid after one year.

This division is important because it helps investors and analysts understand a company's short-term and long-term financial health. For example, a company with a high amount of current assets and low amount of current liabilities may be in a strong financial position, as it has enough resources to cover its short-term obligations.

How to understand a Balance Sheet

Interpreting a balance sheet can provide valuable insights into a company's financial health and performance. Here are some key things to look for when analyzing a balance sheet:

Total Assets

The total assets on a balance sheet represent the value of all the resources that a company has to generate revenue. A company's total assets can give an indication of its size and the amount of capital it has available to invest in its operations.

Total Liabilities

The total liabilities on a balance sheet represent the amount of debt that a company owes. A high amount of liabilities can indicate that a company is heavily reliant on debt to finance its operations, which can be a cause for concern.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio

The debt-to-equity ratio is a measure of a company's financial leverage, or the amount of debt it has compared to its equity. It is calculated by dividing a company's total liabilities by its total equity. 

A high debt-to-equity ratio can indicate that a company is highly leveraged and may be at risk of defaulting on its debt obligations. On the other hand, a low debt-to-equity ratio may indicate that a company is financially stable and has a strong equity base.

Current Ratio

The current ratio is a measure of a company's short-term liquidity, or its ability to pay its short-term obligations. It is calculated by dividing a company's current assets by its current liabilities.

A high current ratio can indicate that a company has enough resources to cover its short-term obligations, while a low current ratio may indicate that a company is struggling to meet its short-term financial obligations.

Using your balance sheet

A balance sheet is a crucial financial statement that provides a snapshot of a company's financial position at a specific point in time. By understanding the basics of balance sheets and how to interpret them, investors and analysts can gain valuable insights into a company's financial health and performance.