Mastering Financial Statement Interpretation

Introduction to Financial Statements

Financial statements are the summary of a company’s financial activity over a period of time and present a business’ performance in an accurate form. They are used by external entities such as investors, creditors, regulators, and auditors to help assess the performance and financial health of a business.

Financial statements consist of:

• Balance Sheet
• Income Statement
• Cash Flow Statement
• Statement of Changes in Equity

It is important to understand financial statements and how to interpret them in order to get a complete picture of a business’s financial activity. In this blog post, we will discuss various ways of interpreting financial statements and their importance in the assessment and analysis of a business.

Tips for Interpreting Financial Statements

Reading and interpreting financial statements is used to gain insight into the financial performance of a business. Understanding the components of a financial statement can reveal important information about a company's financial performance.

Examine the Disclosures

The first step in understanding a financial statement is to review the disclosures provided by the company providing the financial statement. These disclosures provide important details about the methods used to create the financial statement, such as the type of method used to value inventory, the depreciation method used for leased assets, etc. These disclosures explain the accounting policies used by the company. Once these policies are understood, it is easier to interpret the financial statement results.

Analyze Financial Ratios

Financial ratios are used to assess a company's performance and financial position. Calculating financial ratios involves comparing different elements found on the income statement and balance sheet. Popular ratios include liquidity ratios, asset utilization ratios, profitability ratios, and debt-equity ratios. Comparing financial ratios over time can be useful in spotting trends or detecting potential problem areas.

Look for Trends

One of the best ways to assess the financial performance of a company is to look for trends within the financial statements. Look for any changes in revenues, expenses, and profits over multiple reporting periods. Also, look for patterns in the financial ratios. By looking at multiple periods, it helps to identify if a company is improving or declining. In addition, looking at multiple reporting periods helps to compare the company's performance against its competitors.

Understanding and Interpreting Major Elements

Income Statement

An income statement is a financial statement used to record and measure a company’s sales, expenses and profits over a period of time. It is considered to be the most important financial statement, as it tells the investor how much the company is making or losing. By analyzing the income statement, investors can determine the trend in the company’s performance and profit margin.

The income statement consists of three main sections: revenue (also known as sales), expenses, and net income. The total revenue is listed first, then all expenses such as suppliers, rent, wages and taxes are subtracted from it to arrive at the net income. The net income reflects the profitability of the company.

Balance Sheet

A balance sheet is a financial statement that provides an overview of a business’s financial health. It lists the assets, liabilities, and equity of a business as of a particular point in time. By understanding the balance sheet, investors can make informed decisions about whether or not to invest in a company.

The balance sheet consists of three main sections: assets, liabilities and equity. Assets are the resources owned by the company. Liabilities are the company’s financial obligations, such as debts and accounts payable. Equity is the net worth of the company; the difference between assets and liabilities.

Statement of Cash Flow

The statement of cash flow is a financial statement used to illustrate how cash has moved in and out of a business over a period of time. It shows the sources and uses of cash, and contains information about operational, investing and financing activities. By analyzing the statement of cash flow, investors can determine whether or not a company has sufficient resources to meet its financial obligations.

The statement of cash flow consists of three main sections: operating activities, investing activities and financing activities. Operating activities include all cash generated from the activities necessary to generate revenue, such as production and sales. Investing activities involve the purchase and sale of long-term investments, such as property and equipment. Financing activities include the issuance of debt and equity, the repayment of debt and the use of dividends.

Management Discussion and Analysis

Management discussion and analysis (MD&A) is an important part of any financial statement. It contains detailed explanations of a company's performance and results of operations as well as a discussion of its financial position. Every public company is required by law to include an MD&A section in its annual and quarterly reports.

Management Discussion Section

The management discussion section of the MD&A provides an opportunity for an organization to explain the reasons behind their financial results. This section explains the company’s strategies, accomplishments, and any risks or uncertainties that could affect future performance. The management discussion section should also include any trends that may affect the company’s future performance and plans for addressing them.

Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

The MD&A should also include quantitative and qualitative analysis. Quantitative analysis is a detailed examination of the financial statements, focusing on the numerical information they provide. Qualitative analysis is a deeper examination of the company’s competitive position, management, and operations. This type of analysis may identify problem areas, as well as opportunities for improvement and growth.

An MD&A provides investors and financiers with a look into the organization’s overall performance, giving them a more informed perspective and the tools needed to make informed decisions. To ensure the accuracy of your analysis, it is important to review the standards specified by the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Using Technology to Interpret Financial Statements

Many businesses find utilizing technology helpful in interpreting financial statements. Automation tools and financial and business modeling can provide businesses with deep insights to support their decision-making processes. Here are some ways businesses can use technology to interpret financial statements.

Automation Tools

Applicable automation tools can assist businesses to better interpret financial statements. Companies can use these tools to reduce manual entry and inaccurate data which allows them to focus on critical business decisions. Automation tools can surface qualitative and quantitative items otherwise lost in the data which can offer a better understanding of the company's financial and operational position. These tools can also provide insights on the performance of different products, services, and markets.

Financial and Business Modeling

Financial and business modeling can help businesses interpret financial statements and provide more granular insight into their operations. Companies can use these models to forecast, plan, and budget which helps them uncover potential opportunities and risks that are not obvious from just a financial statement. Businesses can use these models to identify cost savings, streamline processes, and understand the impact of their decisions on the company's financial situation. Additionally, businesses can benefit from the ability to adjust input values and see the effects of certain scenarios in near real-time.

Utilizing automation tools and financial and business modeling can enable businesses to move beyond simply interpreting financial statements. Companies can use these technologies to uncover additional insight and learn more about their operations and performance.

Best Practices for Financial Statement Interpretation

Financial Statements are the written report of a company’s financial performance and condition. Knowing how to interpret financial statements can be essential for any investor, analyst or financial professional. Here are some best practices to help you get the most out of your financial statement analysis.

Read the Notes and Footnotes

When reading financial statements, it’s important to pay special attention to any notes and footnotes included. These provide key information about the company’s operations, accounting methods, and financial situation. Additionally, you should familiarize yourself with the applicable accounting standards to ensure that the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the latest standards.

Disregard Non-recurring and Non-operating Results

When interpreting financial statements, it is important to disregard any non-recurring and non-operating results. These types of items can distort the company’s performance, thus skewing your assessment. A few examples of non-recurring or non-operating results may include (but are not limited to) impairment charges, litigation expenses, asset write-downs, and unusual gains or losses.

Develop and Refine Financial Models

Creating and refining financial models can be a great way to gain insights into the performance of a business. Financial models are complex calculations that take into account independent and dependent variables to model the expected performance of a company. As such, it is important to understand the data inputs, assumptions and outputs of the model so that it can be properly applied and interpreted.

• Identify key financial data points relevant to your analysis.
• Gather assumptions pertinent to your analysis.
• Develop a financial model that reflects the data points and assumptions.
• Test and refine the financial model to ensure its accuracy and reliability.
• Run the model and interpret the results.

Conclusion

Interpreting financial statements is a necessary part of doing business. Understanding financial statements helps you make better business decisions, create accurate budgets and forecasts, and track the financial health of your company. As a business owner or executive, you will need to know how to read, analyze, and interpret financial statements.

Summary of How to Interpret Financial Statements

Financial statements are essential documents for businesses to be able to track their financial health, create accurate budgets and forecasts, and make informed decisions. Financial statements are composed of 4 different statements: the balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, and statement of shareholder’s equity. Each statement sheds light on vital information about the company’s financial performance such as the company’s assets and liabilities, its income and expenses, cash inflow and outflow, and equity changes. By carefully analyzing each financial statement, you are able to assess the overall financial health of the business and make better decisions.

Key Takeaways

• Financial statements track the financial performance of a business.
• Financial statements are composed of the balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, and statement of shareholder’s equity.
• Reading and understanding financial statements is a necessary skill to make better business decisions.