Choose the correct statements.

(A) The financial statements of a business enterprise include cash flow statements.

(B) Common size statements and financial ratios are the two tools employed in vertical analysis.

(C) Financial analysis helps an analyst to arrive at a decision.

(D) Comparative statements are the form of vertical analysis.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(A), (B) and (C) only

The correct answer is option 1- (A), (B) and (C) only.

(A) The financial statements of a business enterprise include cash flow statements.  IT IS TRUE. Financial statements are the basic and formal annual reports through which the corporate management communicates financial information to its owners and various other external parties which include investors, tax authorities, government, employees, etc. These refer to: the balance sheet (position statement) as at the end of accounting period, the statement of profit and loss of a company and the cash flow statement.

(B) Common size statements and financial ratios are the two tools employed in vertical analysis. IT IS TRUE. Common Size Statements are the statements which indicate the relationship of different items of a financial statement with a common item by expressing each item as a percentage of that common item. The percentage thus calculated can be easily compared with the results of corresponding percentages of the previous year or of some other firms, as the numbers are brought to common base. This analysis is also known as ‘Vertical analysis’. Ratio Analysis describes the significant relationship which exists between various items of a balance sheet and a statement of profit and loss of a firm. As a technique of financial analysis, accounting ratios measure the comparative significance of the individual items of the income and position statements. It is possible to assess the profitability, solvency and efficiency of an enterprise through the technique of ratio analysis. 

(C) Financial analysis helps an analyst to arrive at a decision. IT IS TRUE. Analysis of financial statements reveals important facts concerning managerial performance and the efficiency of the firm. Broadly speaking, the objectives of the analysis are to apprehend the information contained in financial statements with a view to know the weaknesses and strengths of the firm and to make a forecast about the future prospects of the firm thereby, enabling the analysts to take decisions regarding the operation of  and further investment in the firm.

(D) Comparative statements are the form of vertical analysis. IT IS NOT TRUE as comparative statements are horizontal analysis. Comparative Statements 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’.