Difference between Statement of Affair and Balance Sheet
Have you ever heard of a statement of affairs and a balance sheet? These are two important financial documents that help people understand a company’s financial situation.
The Main difference is a statement of affairs shows a company’s financial position at a specific point in time while a balance sheet shows the financial position of a company over a period of time.
Before we move to the differences, let’s understand what are Statement of Affair and Balance Sheet:
- Statement of Affair: A statement of affairs is a document that lists all of a company’s assets (things it owns) and liabilities (money it owes). It shows the financial position of the company at a specific point in time.
- Balance Sheet: A balance sheet is a financial statement that shows a company’s assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time. It helps to understand the financial health of a company by showing if it has more assets than liabilities, or if it owes more money than it has.
Now, let’s move to Statement of Affair vs Balance Sheet:
Major differences between Statement of Affair and Balance Sheet
| Statement of Affair | Balance Sheet |
|---|---|
| A statement of affairs shows the financial position of a company at a specific point in time. | A balance sheet shows the same information over a period of time. |
| A statement of affairs is usually used when a company is in financial trouble. | A balance sheet is a regular financial document used by all companies. |
| A statement of affairs is a snapshot of a company’s financial situation. | A balance sheet is a longer-term view. |
| A statement of affairs may include estimates of the value of assets and liabilities. | A balance sheet must use exact values. |
| A statement of affairs is usually prepared by the company’s management. | A balance sheet is audited by an independent party to ensure accuracy. |
That’s it.
Note that sometimes, the question might also be asked as “distinguish between Statement of Affair and Balance Sheet”.
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Final words
A statement of affairs and a balance sheet are both important financial documents that help to understand the financial health of a company. However, they show this information in different ways and serve different purposes.
A statement of affairs is a snapshot of a company’s financial situation at a specific point in time, while a balance sheet shows the same information over a period of time.
Understanding the difference between these two documents can help you make informed financial decisions.
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