- A balance sheet is a financial statement that provides a snapshot of a company's financial position at a specific point in time. - It consists of three main sections: assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity. - Assets represent what the company owns or controls, such as cash, inventory, property, and equipment. - Liabilities represent what the company owes to others, such as loans, accounts payable, and accrued expenses. - Shareholders' equity represents the residual interest in the company's assets after deducting liabilities. It includes common stock, retained earnings, and additional paid-in capital. - The balance sheet follows the accounting equation: Assets = Liabilities + Shareholders' Equity. - It provides information about a company's liquidity, solvency, and financial health. - The balance sheet is typically prepared at the end of an accounting period, such as the end of a month, quarter, or year. - It is important for investors, creditors, and other stakeholders to analyze the balance sheet to assess a company's financial stability and performance. - The balance sheet can be used to calculate various financial ratios, such as the current ratio, debt-to-equity ratio, and return on equity, which help in evaluating a company's financial position and performance.