a balance sheet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a balance sheet" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in financial contexts to refer to a statement that summarizes the assets, liabilities, and equity of a business at a specific point in time. Example: "The accountant prepared a balance sheet to provide an overview of the company's financial position at the end of the fiscal year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

What is a balance sheet?

The New York Times

Insolvency is not a balance sheet test.

Columbia University

EU membership discussions often take a balance sheet approach.

The Guardian

It's not just numbers on a balance sheet.

The Guardian

He just knows how to read a balance sheet.

The Guardian

But, at the end of the day, cleaning up a balance sheet is cleaning up a balance sheet.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"It's got a triple-A balance sheet," the elder Mr. Thompson said.

The New York Times

Development of a balance sheet according to Eddy's explicit method.

BMC Health Services Research

Take a balance-sheet view.

Harvard Business Review

A Balance-Sheet Approach to Fiscal Sustainability.

Harvard University

Analysts focus on a balance-sheet liability called deferred revenue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a company's financial stability, use "a balance sheet" to refer to the snapshot of its assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time. This shows the company's solvency and overall financial health.

Common error

Avoid using "a balance sheet" when you actually need to refer to an income statement (or profit and loss statement). A balance sheet shows assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time, while an income statement reflects revenues and expenses over a period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a balance sheet" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it refers to a financial statement summarizing a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a balance sheet" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a financial statement showing a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is frequently found in contexts such as news reports, academic papers, and business documents. To ensure clarity, distinguish it from other financial statements like the income statement. Consider the alternatives, such as "financial statement" and "statement of financial position", depending on the level of formality required. Always use "a balance sheet" accurately to convey a company's financial health at a specific moment in time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

statement of financial position

Offers a more formal and precise term for the same concept.

financial statement

Replaces the specific term with a broader category encompassing various financial reports.

accounting statement

Positions the balance sheet as a type of formal accounting document.

summary of assets and liabilities

Describes the core components that make up a balance sheet.

net worth statement

Focuses specifically on the calculation of assets minus liabilities.

financial health report

Shifts the focus to the overall condition reflected in the balance sheet.

company's financials

Refers to the overall financial documents, with the balance sheet as a key component.

fiscal report

Highlights the financial standing within a specific fiscal period.

financial overview

Indicates a general summary, which a balance sheet provides.

profit and loss statement

Different from balance sheet, as it focuses on revenues and expenses over a period, not assets and liabilities at a specific time. Therefore has less semantic similarity.

FAQs

What is the purpose of "a balance sheet"?

The purpose of "a balance sheet" is to provide a snapshot of a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time. It shows what a company owns and owes, giving stakeholders an overview of its financial position.

How does "a balance sheet" differ from an income statement?

While "a balance sheet" shows a company's financial position at a specific moment, an income statement, or "profit and loss statement", reports a company's financial performance over a period, detailing revenues, expenses, and profits.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a balance sheet"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "financial statement" or "statement of financial position", which are broader terms that include the balance sheet along with other financial reports.

How can I learn to read "a balance sheet"?

To learn to read "a balance sheet", start by understanding the three main components: assets, liabilities, and equity. Focus on the basic equation: Assets = Liabilities + Equity. Many online resources and courses can help you interpret financial statements effectively.