Pickett Company Financial Report Analysis: Balance Sheet
This paper presents and analyzes the financial statements of Pickett Company as of December 31, 2011. It includes a balance sheet and income statement, followed by a brief analytical commentary on key adjustments made to inventory, retained earnings, cost of goods sold, and accounts receivable. The analysis evaluates the company's profitability through retained earnings growth and net income, assesses its financial position by comparing assets to liabilities, and comments on profit margin and cash flow trends. The paper concludes that Pickett Company demonstrates a sound financial position, with assets exceeding liabilities by a ratio of 3.5 to 1 and a net profit margin of approximately 13.5%.
- Balance Sheet: Assets, liabilities, and stockholders equity overview
- Income Statement: Revenue, expenses, and net income figures
- Adjustments and Account Changes: Corrections to inventory, cost of goods, and receivables
- Financial Position and Profitability Analysis: Ratio analysis, profit margin, and cash flow outlook
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What makes this paper effective
- Presents fully structured financial statements — balance sheet and income statement — in a clear, organized format before moving into analysis.
- Grounds its analytical commentary in specific numerical evidence drawn directly from the financial statements, such as the 3.5-to-1 asset-to-liability ratio and the 13.5% profit margin.
- Acknowledges the limitations of a single-period snapshot by recommending multi-month cash flow tracking to identify trends and potential problems.
Key academic technique demonstrated
This paper demonstrates the technique of ratio analysis applied to financial statements. By dividing net income by sales to derive a profit margin and comparing total assets to total liabilities as a ratio, the author translates raw accounting figures into meaningful indicators of business health — a core skill in introductory financial accounting and business finance courses.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with two formal financial statements (balance sheet and income statement) that supply all the numerical data. A short adjustments paragraph then explains corrections made to specific line items. The final analytical section interprets those figures using retained earnings, asset-to-liability ratios, and profit margin calculations to draw conclusions about the company's financial position and cash flow outlook.
Balance Sheet
The following balance sheet presents the financial position of Pickett Company as of December 31, 2011.
Pickett Company — Balance Sheet, December 31, 2011
Assets
Cash: $51,500
Accounts Receivable: $8,000
Equipment (Net of Depreciation): $325,000
Inventory: $75,000
Total Assets: $459,500
Liabilities
Accounts Payable: $24,500
Long-Term Debt: $105,000
Total Liabilities: $129,500
Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock: $10,000
Paid-In Capital: $90,000
Retained Earnings: $230,000
Total Stockholders' Equity: $330,000
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity: $459,500
Income Statement
The following income statement summarizes Pickett Company's revenues and expenses for the period ending December 31, 2011.
Pickett Company — Income Statement, December 31, 2011
Revenue: $605,000
Cost of Goods Sold: $396,900
Gross Income: $208,100
Expenses
Depreciation Expense: $18,250
Insurance Expense: $1,500
Marketing: $5,600
Miscellaneous Expense: $4,500
Property Tax: $6,500
Rent Expense: $22,000
Salaries: $60,500
Utilities: $7,400
Total Expenses: $126,250
Net Income: $81,850
Adjustments and Account Changes
Because the actual inventory value was $75,000, adjustments were required across several accounts. Inventory, Retained Earnings, and Net Income were each decreased by $3,650, while Cost of Goods Sold was increased by $3,650 to reflect the corrected figure. Additionally, a customer's check of $10,000 resulted in an increase to Cash of $10,000 and a corresponding decrease to Accounts Receivable of $10,000.
References
Codjia, M. (n.d.). How can one tell on the balance sheet if a company is making a profit? Retrieved from eHow Money:
Dahl, D. (2010, August 30). How to evaluate your company's financial position. Retrieved from Inc.:
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