The Content of Contemporary Analysis of Financial Statements

Abstract

The article examines the points of view of Russian and foreign researchers on the content of the analysis of financial statements. The author shows that such analysis includes not only traditional analysis of bookkeeping (financial) reports (balance sheet, income statement, statement of changes in equity, cash flow statement, notes to the balance sheet and the income statement, statement on the proper use of funds received), a comprehensive assessment of the financial position of a company, analysis of tax and statistical reports, and forecasting of financial statements, but also special sections, such as analysis of financial statements factoring in inflation, analysis of consolidated financial statements and business segment reports, analysis of IFRS financial statements, as well as analysis of financial statements within the framework of strategic management and business valuation. The article emphasizes the author’s perspective on the content and composition of financial statement analysis today.