Analyzing business financial statements and tax returns starts with understanding the basic components of the balance sheet and income statement, along with the reconciliation of retained earnings, plus footnotes and other disclosures. The business tax return is nothing more than a financial statement with similar components, but with a different format and structure. A second step is to use a diagram, with the components in rough proportion to dollar size, to see how the components “flow” together and interact to create three major financial relationships: (1) Sales to total assets, (2) profit retention, and (3) leverage. A third step is to identify and understand the key principles underlying the three primary methods of accounting, followed by examining an accountant cover letter, if applicable.

Topics to be covered include:

• Identify various financial statement analysis options and tools, plus the basic structure and purposes of financial statements and tax returns
• Diagram the statement components and how they flow together and create three major relationships
• Identify various levels of accountant-prepared financial statements (compilations, reviews and audits) and related accountant cover letters
• Describe key issues in using internal or company-prepared statements, as well as interim statements
• Compare and contrast the three primary methods of accounting
• Key standards, limitations and alternatives within accrual accounting or generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)