Balance Sheet quiz

Common-size balance sheets express each balance sheet item as a percentage of total assets. Contributed capital from issuing common shares may be included in common stock (at par value) or additional paid-in capital (for proceeds in excess of par value). Shareholders' equity is unlikely to consist only of common and preferred stock, as it also includes components such as retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive income.

Quick ratio = [100(cash) + 750(AR) + 300(marketable securities)] / [300(AP) + 130(shortterm debt)] = (1,150 / 430) = 2.67

Liabilities are obligations resulting from past events that are expected to require a future outflow of resources. Assets are resources that are expected to provide future benefits. Equity is residual ownership interest in an entity's assets (i.e., assets minus liabilities).

The ticket revenue should not be recognized until it is earned. Even though the tickets are nonrefundable, the seller is still obligated to hold the event.

The difference between the issued shares and the outstanding shares is the treasury shares

An asset is a future economic benefit obtained or controlled as a result of past transactions. Some assets are intangible (e.g., goodwill), and others may be donated .

Declaring a dividend decreases shareholders' equity and is reflected on the statement of changes in shareholders' equity. Buying a machine is unlikely to change shareholders' equity at the time of purchase. Investing cash in a security is an exchange of one asset for another and is also unlikely to change shareholders' equity at the time of the investment .

An analyst can use the balance sheet to assess a firm's solvency and liquidity.

Operating profitability can be assessed by examining the income statement.

Information on a firm's investing and financing activities appears in a firm's statement of cash flows.

The acquisition goodwill is equal to $1.8 million [$4 million purchase price – $2.2 million fair value of net assets acquired ($3.5 million assets at fair value – $1.3 million liabilities at fair value)]. Under IFRS or U.S. GAAP, goodwill is not amortized but is subject to an annual impairment test.

Liabilities are equal to $3,790 million ($240 million unearned revenue + $1,570 long term debt + $1,150 accounts payable + $830 accrued expenses). Stockholders' equity is equal to $3,420 million ($30 common stock at par + $440 capital in excess of par – $2,000 treasury stock + $5,160 retained earnings – $210 accumulated other comprehensive loss).

The current ratio, quick ratio, and cash ratio measure liquidity. Debt-to-equity, the total debt ratio, and the financial leverage ratio measure solvency.

Each category of the balance sheet is expressed as a percentage of total assets .

The trading securities classification includes the unrealized gain from the bond in net income, which increases retained earnings. Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities are reported as other comprehensive income for the period and are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of owner's equity. Unrealized gains on held-to-maturity securities are not reported on the financial statements .

Repurchased stock that is not cancelled is called treasury stock. Treasury stock does not have voting rights and does not receive cash dividends .

Common-size balance sheets for the two firms are as follows :

Working capital (current assets minus current liabilities) is 32.4% – 6.5% = 25.9% of assets for Amplus and 26.1% – 5.7% = 20.4% of assets for Brevis. Fixed assets (property, plant, and equipment) are relatively larger for Brevis than for Amplus. Based on long-term borrowing and total liabilities, Brevis is significantly more leveraged than Amplus.

An asset is recognized on the balance sheet only if it is probable that it will provide future economic benefits. Assets can be tangible or intangible. In some cases, assets are acquired without cost, but will be reported to the extent that they will provide future economic benefit, and thus have value.

Equipment is reported in the balance sheet at historical cost less accumulated depreciation .

The statement of changes in equity shows a firm's comprehensive income (net income and other comprehensive income) and transactions with shareholders, such as dividends paid and issuance or repurchases of stock. Repayment of bond principal is not a change in equity : assets (cash) decrease and liabilities (long-term debt) decrease.

Banks often present liquidity-based balance sheets, which list all assets and liabilities in order of liquidity, because for banks this format is typically more relevant and reliable than a classified balance sheet. Firms in most other industries typically present classified balance sheets .

Dividends received from trading securities and available-for-sale securities are recognized in the income statement. The difference in trading and available-for-sale classifications relates to the treatment of any unrealized gains and losses.

As of December 31, 2023, Carpenter's accumulated other comprehensive income is $515,000 [$450,000 beginning balance – $25,000 unrealized loss from available for sale securities ($225,000 fair value – $250,000 cost) + $90,000 unrealized translation gain]. There is no impact on accumulated other comprehensive income from unrealized gains and losses on held-to-maturity securities since the securities are not reported at fair value on the balance sheet. The purchase of treasury stock does not affect comprehensive income because it is a transaction with shareholders.

Under IFRS, firms have an irrevocable choice at the time of purchase to report equity securities at fair value through other comprehensive income. If they do not make this election, equity securities are reported at fair value through profit and loss.

Balance sheet values may use a mixture of measurement bases (historical cost, fair value, etc.). As a result, balance sheet values of assets, liabilities, and equity may not reflect their intrinsic values. Balance sheets provide the information necessary to calculate the firm's solvency and liquidity ratios. Items are recognized on the balance sheet only if a flow of future economic benefits to or from the firm is probable.

Unrealized gains and losses from trading securities are recognized in the income statement while unrealized gains and losses from available-for-sale securities bypass the income statement and are reported as other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders' equity. Cash dividends are recognized in the income statement for both trading and available-for-sale securities. Thus, Alpha will recognize only the $2,000 dividend if the shares are considered available-for-sale and will recognize $22,000 ($2,000 dividend + $20,000 unrealized gain) if the shares are considered trading securities.

Debt securities acquired with the intent to sell before maturity are reported on the balance sheet at their fair values.

Trading securities are reported in the balance sheet at fair value. At the end of the year, the fair value of the securities was $980,000 ($435,000 + $545,000). The unrealized gains and losses from trading securities are recognized in the income statement. Thus, Ponca would recognize an unrealized gain of $30,000 ($980,000 fair value – $950,000 cost).

The commercial paper should be classified as current because it will be converted to cash in less than a year. A liability that is held primarily for trading purposes, such as this short position, should also be classified as current .

Shares that were issued previously but are not outstanding are treasury shares (owned by the firm). Thus, there are 600,000 treasury shares (2.4 million issued – 1.8 million outstanding). Treasury shares are reported as a reduction in shareholders' equity on the balance sheet. Treasury stock is not an asset.

Acquired copyrights and patents are intangible assets that can be separately identified.

Identifiable intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives .

Common size balance sheets express all balance sheet items as a percentage of assets. Common size income statements express all income statement items as a percentage of sales .