Lesson: 68

Topic: Comparing Financial Data

Objectives:

During this class, students will explore a few basic approaches to summarizing and presenting financial data.

At the conclusion of this lesson, students should be able to summarize financial data and effectively illustrate trend analysis in any of the following ways:

In addition, students will also explore "Common-Size" and "Comparative" financial statements.

At the conclusion of this lesson, students should be able to prepare a:


Example of a Common Size Income Statement

  Company ACompany B
REVENUE:         
Fees Earned $3,000.00 100% $4,000.00 100%
          
EXPENSES:         
Supplies Expense 100.00 3% 200.00 5%
Phone Expense 100.00 3% 300.00 8%
Advertising Expense 700.00 23% 900.00 23%
Wages Expense 300.00 10% 500.00 13%
Rent Expense 700.00 23% 700.00 20%
Total Expenses: 1,900.00 63% 2,600.00 65%
           
NET INCOME: 1,100.00 37% 1,400.00 35%



Example of a Comparative Balance Sheet

 20022001Increase (Decrease)Percentage Change
ASSETS            

Current Assets

       
Cash $12,600.00 $20,800.00 ($8,200.00) -39%
Accounts Receivable 7,000.00 3,000.00 4,000.00 133%
Inventory 20,000.00 14,000.00 6,000.00 43%
Total Current Assets 39,600.00 37,800.00 1,800.00 5%
       
Fixed Assets        
Building 150,000.00 150,000.00 0 0%
Accumulated Depreciation, Building 4,000.00 3,000.00 1,000.00 33%
Office Equipment 3,400.00 3,400.00 0 0%
Accumulated Depreciation, Equip. 750.00 500.00 250.00 50%

Total Fixed Assets

158,150.00 156,900.00 1,250.00 1%

Total Assets:

197,750.00 194,700.00 3,050.00 2%
          
LIABILITIES:        
Current Liabilities        
Bank Loan 8,000.00 10,000.00 (2,000.00) -20%
Accounts Payable 1,200.00 700.00 500.00 71%
Total Current Liabilities 9,200.00 10,700.00 (1,500.00) -14%
         
Long-Term Liabilities        
Mortgage 90,000.00 100,000.00 (10,000.00) -10%
Total Liabilities 99,200.00 110,700.00 (11,500.00) -10%
         
OWNERS EQUITY:         
Capital 98,550.00 84,000.00 14,550.00 17%
Total Liabilities & Owner's Equity 197,750.00 194,700.00 3,050.00 2%


Method of Instruction and Evaluation:

After a Socratic lecture on the above topic, students will complete the following exercise:

  1. Common Size Income Statement: Download and complete a Common Size Income Statement.
  2. Provide a brief written statement outlining your financial analyses of the two companies represented in the Common Size Income Statement. Which company is financially stronger?
  3. Comparative Balance Sheet: Complete the Comparative Balance Sheet included within the spreadsheet that you downloaded for the question above.
  4. Provide a brief written statement outlining your financial analyses of the two accounting periods represented in the Common Size Income Statement. Has the company made positive, or negative progress?

(Save this spreadsheet as "yourname, topic #30")

 

Expectations Addressed:

 

The "Internal Control, Financial Analysis, and Decision Making" strand of the BAF3M Ministry of Education Curriculum Guidelines outlines all of the following specific expectations. The expectations addressed by this lesson have been highlighted below.

Reference: text, chapter #16, pages 738-741


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