Traditional Financial Reporting and its Limitations

1. What is the purpose of financial statement analysis? The purpose of financial statement analysis is to provide information used by the business, potential creditors and investors.

Abstract : Analysis of financial statement of a company is an important because it is useful to obtain Information

In order to ascertain how well a company is performing, analyses must be done in regard to the business being stable, including its’ ability to pay debts, how much cash or other liquid assets are available, and whether the organization is viable enough to continue operations. These analyses typically look at income statements, balance sheets, and statements of cash flow, where current and past performance will be studied with the goal of predicting how the company will perform in the future.

Understanding the finances of a company is important but knowing the significance of the financial statements is crucial to the operations as well. Reviewing the statement of financial position, operating statement and statement of cash flows serve as a guidance to management and executives on the day-to-day activities of an organization (Finkler et al., 2013). For example, the statement of financial position (balance sheet) shows the assets and

Financial statements are used to determine the business activities of a firm and the role of accounting analysis is to determine the accuracy and quality of the information provided. This analysis would look into the degree of its accounting figures captures its business reality through the policies used and its resulting noise, potential forecast errors and its impact on Myer’s profit.

The building blocks of financial statement analysis include: Liquidity and Efficiency, Solvency, Profitability, Market Prospects.

The financial analysis of a business organization involves the complete assessment of the liquidity, profitability, competitiveness and stability of the business. The process is done through using the financial statements of the business. The financial reports are generally presented to top management for purposes of decision making and setting up goals.

The use of financial statements is to provide individuals, but not a specific group with compressed financial data showing them the information that pertains to the decision they want to make. They are also able to see past performance of their company and comparing corporation that is in the same industry (Edmonds, Tsay, & Olds, 2011).

Financial statements of the company are significant for the investors who would like to venture into the business operation. It gives them the insight whether the business is making profits or it is doomed to fail;

Financial statement measures the financial performance, liquidity and strength of the firm, it is important

Financial analysis is the examination of pecuniary and financial information to accomplish the companies’ commitment. This investigation resolves the migration of organizations’ possessions, to explicate external and internal operations (Berman & Knight, 2012, p 38). This just says, a way to gauge an organization achieved and failed operations. In this logic, one may agrees that a financial analysis appraises businesses’ operating effectiveness, liquidity, and capital structure.

have explained that the Financial statements provide asummarized view of the financial position and operations of a firm. Therefore, much can belearnt about a firm from a careful examination of its financial statements as invaluabledocuments / performance reports. The analysis of financial statements is, thus, an important aidto financial analysis.

This essay will begin to look at the main financial statements used by decision makers in businesses today. This essay will go into detail about the income statement and statement of financial position and whether these two statements provide decision makers with their financial information adequately. This essay will also include the various advantages and disadvantages of each financial statement as well as describing whom the decision makers are and why financial statements are important to them. A conclusion will be present at the end of this essay to demonstrate an overall view of whether financial statements are beneficial to decision makers.

Every business has to prepare its financial statements for its investors and making its business decisions. Company’s financial conditions are of major concern to the investors and creditors. As capital providers they rely on the financial statement for safety and profitability of their investments. They are also interested in knowing where and for what purpose their money is being used. Financial statements present the financial health of the entity.

The Purpose of Financial Statements The financial statements of a business are used to provide information about the status of the business, set performance targets and impose restrictions on the managers of the firm as well as provide an easier method for financial planning. The financial statements consist of the Profit and Loss Account, Balance Sheet and the Cash Flow Statement. There are four areas of information, which we can collect from a company's financial statements. They are: Ÿ