Unlocking the financial health of your business is like holding the key to success. Understanding and utilizing the power of financial reports can provide invaluable insights into your company’s performance, profitability, and growth potential. This is why tax accounting for small business is essential, especially for new businesses. So, what financial reports should every business have? Read on for the answer.
A Profit and Loss (P&L) Statement
AKA an income statement, a P&L statement is a vital financial report that provides a snapshot of your business’s revenue, expenses, and overall profitability over a specific period. It serves as a compass to guide you toward understanding whether your operations are generating profits or losses. The P&L Statement starts with the total revenue earned from sales or services rendered during the designated period.
The P&L Statement reveals whether your business has generated profit or loss by subtracting all expenses from the total revenue. Positive numbers indicate profitability, while negative ones signal potential areas for improvement. Understanding trends within different expense categories will help inform strategic decisions aimed at maximizing revenues and minimizing costs.
A Balance Sheet
This financial report provides a snapshot of a company’s overall financial position. It presents an overview of the company’s liabilities, assets, and shareholders’ equity at a certain point in time. The balance sheet is categorized into two main sections: assets and liabilities. The asset section includes items such as cash, accounts receivable, inventory, and property.
These are the resources owned by the company that have economic …
