One of the most important applications of ratio analysis is to compare a company's performance with that of other players in the industry or to compare its own performance over a period of time. Such analyses are referred to as a comparative analysis and trend analysis, respectively. A common size analysis requires the representation of financial statement data relative to a single financial statement item (or base account or value). What is the most commonly used base item for a common size balance sheet? O Earnings before interest and taxes Net sales ONet income O Total assets


A common size balance sheet is a financial statement presentation format that expresses each line item as a percentage of total assets. It standardizes the balance sheet, making it easier to analyze and compare the financial structure of a company over time or with peers. The basic components of a common size balance sheet include current assets (e.g., cash, accounts receivable), non-current assets (e.g., property, plant, equipment), current liabilities (e.g., accounts payable), non-current liabilities (e.g., long-term debt), and shareholders' equity (e.g., common stock, retained earnings). Each of these components is expressed as a percentage of the total assets, providing insights into the company's asset composition and financial health.
Step by step
Solved in 3 steps









