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Financial Reporting and Ethics - The Institute of Chartered ...

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FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ETHICSIf the proportion <strong>of</strong> fixed interest capital <strong>of</strong> ordinary sharecapital is high, the company’s capital structure is said to behighly geared, that is, there is a great burden <strong>of</strong> interestpayment on the company’s resources. Whereas, if the proportion<strong>of</strong> fixed interest capital to ordinary share capital is low, thecompany’s capital structure is said to be lowly geared, that is,there is not much burden <strong>of</strong> interest payment on the company’sresources. Where, however, the classes <strong>of</strong> capital are <strong>of</strong> an equalproportion, there is a neutral gear.4.7.5.2 Proprietary RatioThis is the ratio <strong>of</strong> shareholders’ funds to total assets. This ratioprovides a measure <strong>of</strong> the adequacy <strong>of</strong> security to pay allliabilities. It serves as a test <strong>of</strong> long term financial stability <strong>and</strong>cushion for creditors. It is calculated as:Shareholder’s FundsTotal Assetsx 100%<strong>The</strong> higher this percentage, the better the security for the creditorsin case <strong>of</strong> liquidation4.8 COMPARAARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTSTEMENTSComparative analysis could be done in various ways including vertical <strong>and</strong>horizontal analysis, trend analysis <strong>and</strong> inter-firm analysis. Comparison canbe between firms or between periods.4.8.1 Vertical <strong>and</strong> Horizontal AnalysisVertical analysis <strong>of</strong> financial statements involves expressing opinionon the various items in the financial statements, that is, incomestatement or balance sheet as a percentage <strong>and</strong> in relation to a commonbase within the particular statement. Hence, it is seen as analysis <strong>of</strong>proportional changes. In the case <strong>of</strong> the income statement, the salesfigure is regarded as the common base made equivalent to 100% whileall other items are calculated as percentage <strong>of</strong> sales. This is also referredto as common-size pr<strong>of</strong>it <strong>and</strong> loss account. As regards the balance sheet,the total assets or total capital figure is regarded as the common base<strong>of</strong> 100% while other balance sheet items are expressed as percentages<strong>of</strong> total assets or total capital. This is illustrated below:82

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