There are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Mark your answer as per the options given below.

Assertion (A):  Inter-firm analysis is a comparison of financial statements of an enterprise for two or more accounting periods.
Reason (R): Time series analysis is conducted to determine the trend of different financial variables over a period of time.

Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Financial statement analysis is a judgemental process which aims to estimate current and past financial positions and the results of the operation of an enterprise, with primary objective of determining the best possible estimates and predictions about the future conditions. It essentially involves regrouping and analysis of information provided by financial statements to establish relationships and throw light on the points of strengths and weaknesses of a business enterprise, which can be useful in decision-making involving comparison with other firms (cross sectional analysis) and with firms’ own performance, over a time period (time series analysis).