1. Purpose of financial statements Flashcards
Sole trader characteristics
The owner and the business are one legal entity but two different economic or business entities, maintaining separate business and personal accounts. The owner is legally responsible for any debts or other liabilities of their business.
Partnerships characteristics
The owner and the business are one legal entity and partners are jointly and severally liable for the debts of the partnership.
Partnership Act 1890.
LLPs characteristics
Legal entities separate from their owners. Limited liability.
LLP Act 2000.
Limited company characteristics
- Incorporated.
- Shareholder limited liability.
- Ability to raise finance.
- The business will pay tax on its full profits (corporation tax).
- Shareholders appoint directors to run the business on their behalf.
- The ‘articles of association’ provides the constitution of the company and sets out the rules for running it.
- Companies Act 2006 and financial reporting standards set the regulations and requirements they need to adhere to.
- Annual financial statements filed with Companies House and available for public inspection.
Public Ltd Vs Private Ltd
- Public limited companies sell shares to members of the public.
- Issued share capital of over £50,000
- At least two shareholders and two directors.
- Private limited company is any company that is not a public company.
- No minimum requirement for issued share capital
- At least one shareholder and one director (can be the same person).
Financial statements of a limited company
- Statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income
- Statement of changes in equity
- Statement of financial position
- Statement of cash flow
Elements of Financial Statements
- Assets
- Equity
- Liabilities
- Income
- Expenses
The importance of these elements is that they define the items which can be included in financial statements.
Asset definition IASB
A present economic resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events.
An economic resource is a right that has the potential to produce future economic benefits
Equity definition IASB
Residual interest in the assets of the entity after deducting all its liabilities
Liability definition IASB
A present obligation of the entity to transfer an economic resource as a result of past events.
An obligation is a duty or responsibility that the entity has no practical ability to avoid.
Income definition IASB
Increases in assets, or decreases in liabilities, that result in increases in equity, other than those relating to contributions from holders of equity claims.
Expense definition IASB
Decreases in assets or increases in liabilities, that result in decreases in equity, other than those relating to distributions to holders of equity claims.
Profit or loss definitions IASB
Increases in equity not resulting from contributions from holders of equity claims.
Decreases in equity not resulting from distributions to holders of equity claims.
Recognition
Process of including an element in the financial statements. If they meet the definition of an asset, liability, income or expense and provide information that is useful to users.
Measurement
Process of determining the money amounts at which the elements are to be recognised and carried in the financial statements.
- Historical Cost
- Current value (Fair Value, Value in Use, Current Cost)