5 Common Questions About Financial Reports Answered

Financial reports are such useful financial tools that they are of government interest. The Quarterly Financial Report program has been collecting and publishing financial reports on United States corporations for more than 60 years!

Although financial reports can be extremely useful, they can also be extremely complicated. It can take a lifetime to learn all the ins and outs of a proper financial report.

5 Common Questions About Financial Reports Answered

So how can you make the most of this important financial tool? Read on to learn about some of the most common questions about financial reports and their answers!

What Are the Most Important Numbers on the Balance Sheet? 

Some people might protest that every number on a balance sheet is useful. This is certainly true. At the same time, some numbers tell you more than others.

The most important thing to focus on in a balance sheet is the cash. At the end of the day, cash is what a business is all about. In almost every case, a  large amount of cash is associated with a successful business.

Other important numbers include the current and non-current accrual items. These can often clarify the real meaning of the cash number.

What Is the Essential Nature of the Balance Sheet? 

If somebody asked you, “What is financial reporting?”, what would you tell them? Over 30 years ago, Robert Follet wrote that the balance sheet is really just a scorecard. Business can be compared to sports, and the balance sheet is the scorecard of business.

How Much Does a Balance Sheet Really Tell You About the Company? 

A balance sheet can be complicated, but it should conclude KPIs, or key performance indicators. These will help you focus on the most important information on the sheet.

The best KPI are often ratios. These can include things like the ratio of income to expenses, or of cash to debt. 

Which Number Should You Focus On in an Income Statement? 

The most important numbers on an income statement are gross profit and net income. These numbers alone can tell you a lot about whether a company is destined for bankruptcy or for growth.

What Are the Most Important Numbers on a Cash Flow Statement?

The indirect method of displaying cash flow is a more complicated financial report example. It provides a breakdown of cash flow from operations. This will help you understand how much money you need to fund the daily operations of your business.

The ins and outs of financial reports can be extremely complicated. They can even be complicated enough to test the expertise of CFOs. Even the most skilled CFO can benefit from standing on the shoulders of giants and using the tools developed by experts.

To learn more about how to manage the complexity of financial reports, check out QLIK sense financial reporting. ​​

Learn Everything You Need to Know About Financial Reports

We hope that you were able to learn something helpful about financial reports in this brief article. Although financial reports can be complex, they exist for a reason. Mastering this financial tool will allow you to make better-informed business decisions.