Questions
Income statement shows the financial performance of a business for a period of time; statement of owner’s equity shows the change in net worth of a business for a period of time; balance sheet shows the financial position of a business on a specific date; statement of cash flows shows the cash inflows and outflows of the business for a period of time.
Both revenues and gains represent inflows to the business, making it more valuable. Revenues relate to the primary purpose of the business, while gains represent incidental or peripheral activities. This is important to stakeholders because revenues represent ongoing or permanent activities, while gains represent infrequent or transient activities. Stakeholders should focus on permanent earnings and put peripheral or incidental earnings into the proper context.
Equity is the net worth of the business. It can also be thought of as the net assets (assets minus liabilities) of the business. Activities that affect equity include revenues, expenses, gains, losses, and investment by and distributions to owners.
Both tangible and intangible assets have value to the company and can be bought, sold, or impaired; tangible assets have physical substance, while intangible assets do not.
Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity. Answers will vary and should include a combination of revenues/gains (increases), expenses/losses (decreases), investments (increases), and distributions (decreases). It is important to understand the following transactions/exchanges will not change equity: an asset for an asset, liability for liability, asset acquisitions by incurring liabilities, and asset reductions to reduce liabilities.