1.4 : Introduction to Financial Accounting

Financial accounting is a vital discipline within the business world. It provides a structured approach to documenting, summarizing, and reporting financial transactions. Its core purpose is to deliver precise and dependable financial information to stakeholders, such as investors, creditors, management, and regulatory authorities, enabling them to evaluate a company's financial performance and make informed decisions.

The main financial statements are the balance sheet, the income statement, the statement of equity, and the cash flow statement. A balance sheet provides a snapshot of a company's financial position at a specific time. It lists assets, liabilities, and equity, showing how resources are financed. An income statement, also known as a profit and loss statement, reports a company's financial performance over a specific period. The statement of equity, also known as the statement of changes in equity, details the changes in a company's equity over a specific period, including contributions from owners, distributions to owners, and profits or losses. The cash flow statement tracks the flow of cash in and out of the business, highlighting operating, investing, and financing activities. It helps assess a company's liquidity and cash management.

Financial accounting follows standardized principles for consistency and comparability, primarily through Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) globally. GAAP provides specific rules and guidelines for U.S. financial reporting, while IFRS harmonizes accounting practices internationally to facilitate global investment and business.