What are some of the techniques of disclosure for the balance sheet?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Various techniques that are used for disclosure of balance sheet are as follow:

  1. Parenthetical explanation.
  2. Notes to the financial statement.
  3. Cross-references and contra items.
  4. Supporting schedules.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Full Disclosure

A principle in accounting that states that a business entity must providecomplete information regarding each transaction having a financial naturein the financial reports is known as full disclosure.

02

Techniques of disclosure for the balance sheet

  1. Parenthetical Explanation: It is a type of explanation given along with the line item in the balance sheet. For example, Common stock (issued at par $5, 10,000 shares).
  2. Notes to the financial statement: If the business entity cannot provide detailed information through parenthetical explanation, then the business entity discloses such information in notes to the financial statement reflected at the end of the balance sheet.
  3. Cross-reference and contra-items: When an asset and a liability are directly related, the business entity uses cross-reference. Examples would be sinking funds for bonds payable (on the asset side) and bonds payable (on the liabilities side). Contra-items are directly deducted from the particular line item, such as accumulated depreciation.
  4. Supporting schedule: If the business entity cannot reflect detailed information of any line item through any technique, it uses a supporting program that reflects all the calculations done to arrive at a specific line item.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

In its December 31, 2017, balance sheet Oakley Corporation reported as an asset, “Net notes and accounts receivable, $7,100,000.” What other disclosures are necessary?

The comparative balance sheets of Madrasah Corporation at the beginning and end of the year 2017 appear below.

MADRASAH CORPORATION

BALANCE SHEETS

Assets

Dec 31, 2017

Jan 1, 2017

Inc./Dec.

Cash

\(20,000

\)13,000

\(7,000 Inc.

Accounts receivable

106,000

88,000

18,000 Inc.

Equipment

39,000

22,000

17,000 Inc.

Less: Accumulated depreciation – Equipment

17,000

11,000

6,000 Inc.

Total

\)148,000

\(112,000

Liabilities and Stockholder’s equity

Account payable

\)20,000

\(15,000

5,000 Inc.

Common stock

100,000

80,000

20,000 Inc.

Retained earnings

28,000

17,000

11,000 Inc.

Total

\)148,000

\(112,000

Net income of \)44,000 was reported, and dividends of $33,000 were paid in 2017. New equipment was purchased and none was sold.

Instructions

(a) Prepare a statement of cash flows for the year 2017.

(b) Compute the current ratio (current assets ÷ current liabilities) as of January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, and compute free cash flow for the year 2017.

(c) In light of the analysis in (b), comment on Madrasah’s liquidity and financial flexibility.

What are the major limitations of the balance sheet as a source of information?

The comparative balance sheets of Constantine Cavamanlis Inc. at the beginning and the end of the year 2017 are as follows.

CONSTANTINE CAVAMALIS INC

BALANCE SHEETS

Assets

Dec 31, 2017

Jan 1, 2017

Inc./Dec.

Cash

\(45,000

\)13,000

\(32,000 Inc.

Accounts receivable

91,000

88,000

3,000 Inc.

Equipment

39,000

22,000

17,000 Inc.

Less: Accumulated depreciation – Equipment

(17,000)

(11,000)

6,000 Inc.

Total

158,000

\)112,000

Liabilities and Stockholder’s equity

Account payable

\(20,000

\)15,000

5,000 Inc.

Common stock

100,000

80,000

20,000 Inc

Retained earnings

38,000

17,000

21,000 Inc.

Total

\(158,000

\)112,000

Net income of \(44,000 was reported, and dividends of \)23,000 were paid in 2017. New equipment was purchased and none was sold.

Instructions

Prepare a statement of cash flows for the year 2017.

Case 3: Deere & Company Presented below is the SEC-mandated disclosure of contractual obligations provided by Deere & Company in a recent annual report. Deere & Company reported current assets of \(50,060 and total current liabilities of \)21,394 at year-end. (All dollars are in millions.)

Aggregate Contractual Obligations

The payment schedule for the company’s contractual obligations at year-end in millions of dollars is as follows:

Total

Less than 1 year

1-3 Years

4 and 5 Years

More than 5 Years

Debt

Equipment Operations

\( 5,091

\) 434

\( 270

\)775

\( 3,612

Financial services

31,692

9,962

11,477

6,578

3,675

Total

36,783

10,396

11,747

7,353

7,287

Interest on debt

4,777

609

1,069

745

2,354

Account payable

2,743

2,611

90

39

3

Capital lease

87

39

42

4

2

Purchase obligations

3,007

2,970

37

0

0

Operating leases

371

121

134

70

46

Total

\) 47,768

\( 16,746

\)13,119

8,211

9,692

Instructions

(a) Compute Deere & Company’s working capital and current ratio (current assets ÷ current liabilities) with and without the off-balance-sheet contractual obligations reported in the schedule.

(b) Briefly discuss how the information provided in the contractual obligation disclosure would be useful in evaluating Deere & Company for loans (1) due in one year and (2) due in five years.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Business Studies Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free