Which one among the following is the most useful form of horizontal analysis in making a comparative study for the financial statement for a number of years?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
Comparative Statements: These are the statements showing the
profitability and financial position of a firm for different periods of time in
a comparative form to give an idea about the position of two or more periods.
It usually applies to the two important financial statements, namely,
balance sheet and statement of profit and loss prepared in a comparative
form. The financial data will be comparative only when same accounting
principles are used in preparing these statements. If this is not the case,
the deviation in the use of accounting principles should be mentioned as
a footnote. Comparative figures indicate the trend and direction of financial
position and operating results. This analysis is also known as ‘horizontal
analysis’.