Module 2 - Financial Statements
Module 2 - Financial Statements
Module 2 - Financial Statements
Nexford University
ACC 6050 Accounting and Financial Reporting
Professor Damian Dunbar
December 04, 2023
MEMO
From: Oluwakemi Fawole
To: Jennifer Doherty
Date: December 4, 2023
Subject: Understanding GAAP Income Statement, GAAP Balance Sheet, and Differences
between GAAP and IFRS Standards
The income statement, also known as the Profit and Loss Statement, is a critical financial
document that provides insights into your company's performance over a specific period. It
begins with the total sales or service income, which represents the revenue. Following revenue,
various expenses are listed. These include costs directly tied to the production of goods, known
as the Cost of Goods Sold, and operational expenses, such as administrative and selling
expenses. The culmination of this statement is the net income, often referred to as the "bottom
line." This figure is pivotal as it represents what remains after all operating expenses, interest,
and taxes have been deducted from the total revenue. The net income is a key indicator of your
company’s profitability and financial health.
The balance sheet offers a snapshot of your company's financial position at a specific point in
time. It lists assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity. Assets, the resources controlled by your
company, are usually listed in order of liquidity, i.e., how quickly they can be converted into
cash. This includes current assets like cash and receivables, as well as long-term assets like
property and equipment. On the other side, liabilities represent what your company owes,
classified into short-term (due within a year) and long-term obligations. Shareholders’ equity, the
residual interest in your company's assets after deducting liabilities, includes elements such as
issued capital (common stock) and retained earnings. This balance sheet serves as a fundamental
tool for assessing the financial stability and capability of your business.
The differences between GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and IFRS
(International Financial Reporting Standards) are significant and can notably affect how a
balance sheet is presented and interpreted. One of the primary distinctions lies in the approach
each standard takes: GAAP is more rules-based, offering specific guidelines for various
scenarios, while IFRS is principles-based, allowing for broader interpretation and flexibility. This
fundamental difference influences several aspects of the balance sheet. For instance, under IFRS,
companies have the option to revalue fixed assets such as property, plant, and equipment,
potentially impacting their book value and altering the asset side of the balance sheet. In contrast,
GAAP requires fixed assets to be recorded at historical cost minus accumulated depreciation.
Additionally, IFRS and GAAP differ in their treatment of certain liabilities and equity
classifications, particularly in terms of distinguishing between current and non-current liabilities.
These disparities can result in variations in the reported values and structure of the balance sheet.