Explain the differences between horizontal and vertical analysis.
Explanation of Solution
Horizontal Analysis: Horizontal analysis is prepared to make comparison between the financial statements to determine the changes in the financial statements for the previous year to the current year. The changes of the company are measured in dollars as well as in percentage.
Formula:
Vertical Analysis: Vertical analysis is prepared to analyze the relationship among various financial statements with a particular base amount. Use the following formula to calculate vertical analysis percentage:
Formula:
This analysis is otherwise called as common-size statement.
Differences between horizontal analysis and vertical analysis
Basis of difference | Horizontal analysis | Vertical analysis |
Difference | Horizontal analysis is prepared to make comparison between the financial statements to determine the changes in the financial statements for the previous year to the current year. | Vertical analysis is prepared to analyze the relationship among various financial statements with a particular base amount. |
Purpose | This analysis helps the user to compare line by line items and changes happened over the time. | This analysis helps to make comparison of changes occurred in terms of percentage. |
Usefulness | This analysis is used to compare the performance with previous years. | This analysis is used to compare company’s performance with other companies. |
Thus, the above are the differences between horizontal and vertical analysis.
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Chapter 17 Solutions
Financial Accounting
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