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Importance of Financial Statements

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Financial Statements Page Number at the Top to the Right

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This paper was prepared for Principles of Accounting I, XACC/290

Abstract

In accounting there are four important financial documents that makes a business whole, but in order to use these documents you must understand accounting. Basic accounting is just keeping track of expenses as well as earnings. The four basic financial statements in the accounting system communicates and records events at point in time. Equally businesses use financial statements to measure the financial strength of their company. You have to know that is important when running a business that all of your financial information must be accurate, in order to understand the financial condition of your company. According to U.S. Small Business Administration, “Understanding financial statements is essential to the success of a small business. They can be used as a roadmap to steer you in the right direction and help you avoid costly breakdowns. Financial statements have a value that goes far beyond preparing tax returns or applying for loans.”(para 1)

The Importance of Financial Statements

The four basic financial statements is the balance sheet, income statement, retained earnings statement and the statement of cash flow. The financial statements summarize the accounting data and prepare the analysis of business transactions.

The balance sheet includes assets, liabilities and net worth. It also reflect the activities of a business. The balance sheet gives the vital financial information about the business, your overall inventory and paints a financial picture for your creditors and stockholders.

The income statement which is used as the profit and loss statement, presents the revenues and expenses for a

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