Financial Statement Analysis

Definition and Explanation of Financial Statement Analysis:
Financial statement analysis is defined as the process of identifying financial strengths and weaknesses of the firm by properly establishing relationship between the items of the balance sheet and the profit and loss account.
There are various methods or techniques that are used in analyzing financial statements, such as comparative statements, schedule of changes in working capital, common size percentages, funds analysis, trend analysis, and ratios analysis.
Financial statements are prepared to meet external reporting obligations and also for decision making purposes. They play a dominant role in setting the framework of managerial decisions. But the information provided in the financial statements is not an end in itself as no meaningful conclusions can be drawn from these statements alone. However, the information provided in the financial statements is of immense use in making decisions through analysis and interpretation of financial statements.
Tools and Techniques of Financial Statement Analysis:
Following are the most important tools and techniques of financial statement analysis:
1. Horizontal and Vertical Analysis
2. Ratios Analysis
1. Horizontal and Vertical Analysis:
Horizontal Analysis or Trend Analysis:
Comparison of two or more year's financial data is known as horizontal analysis, or trend analysis. Horizontal analysis is facilitated by showing changes between years in both dollar and percentage form. Click here to read full article.
Trend Percentage:
Horizontal analysis of   financial statements can also be carried out by computing trend percentages. Trend percentage states several years' financial data in terms of a base year. The base year equals 100%, with all other years stated in some percentage of this base. Click here to read full article.
Vertical Analysis:
Vertical analysis is the procedure of preparing and presenting common size statements. Common size statement... [continues]

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