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Topic 2 ‐ Measuring wealth
Revision notes
Key Learning Points
Income statement
Profit = revenue ‐ expenses
In its simplest form, profit equals revenue minus e xpenses and the format of the income statement
reflects this. However, it also includes a number of different profit measures such as gross profit
and opera ng profit.
Balance sheet
Concepts
The concepts of historic cost and duality are par cularly relevant in understanding how and why a
balance sheet takes the form that is does.
The balance sheet is also known as the statement of financial posi on.
Format
There are various alterna ve formats for published accounts. However all formats represent some
arrangement of the a ccoun ng equa on .
Accoun ng equa on
The accoun ng equa on is given by:
Assets = liabili es + equity
(or some convenient rearrangement of it). It underlies the construc on of any balance sheet where
individual a ssets , liabili es and e quity of the company are grouped into sensible and informa ve
categories.
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Topic 2 ‐ Measuring wealth
Revision notes
Main Vocabulary
Accoun ng equa on : The basic accoun ng equa on which can be expressed as follows:
assets = claims
Assets : In the balance sheet, this term represents all the resources of the business plus any money
(or resources) owed to the business.
Balance sheet : One of three primary financial statements, shows the status of a company’s assets,
liabili es, and owner's’ equity on a given date. The balance sheet is also known as the statement
of financial posi on.
Equity : This is the claim of the owners, typically the ordinary shareholders and in some cases the
preference shareholders.
Expenditures : This leads to the acquisi on of resources in order to help generate future revenues.
Thus purchasing a machine, new land and plant etc, represents cash spending, not expenses.
Expenses : Expenses are defined as the cost of resources used up in an opera ng period. Expenses
are not the same thing as cash expenditure.
Income statement: Also known as the profit and loss account. One of the three primary financial
statements. A report on a company’s financial status describing revenues and expenses over a
specific period of me.
Liabili es : The debts of a company and other financial obliga ons, the opposite of assets.
Revenue : Amount generated from sale of goods or services, or any other use of capital or assets,
associated with the main opera ons of a company before any costs or expenses are deducted.
Similar Terminology :
Trade receivables = account receivables = debtors
Trade payables = account payables = creditors
Inventory = stock
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