The report lists the balances of a company at a certain point in time of all the general ledger accounts. The accounts that are reflected on the trial balance are all related to major accounting items such as equity, assets, revenues, liabilities, expenses, losses, and gains. The trial balance is generally used to identify at a certain point in time, the credit entries and the balance of debits from the transactions that are recorded in the general ledger.
Features of a Trial Balance
The trial balance usually includes a list of totals of accounts of the general ledger. The general ledger accounts should include the description of the account, the account number, and the final debit/credit balance. Along with this, the trial balance should include the accounting period of the report being created. The trial balance does not show each separate transaction, only the accounts total whereas the general ledges show all the transactions of the account. If any adjusting entries were entered, the trial balance should show the adjusting entry, the figures before the adjustment, and the balances after the adjustment.
What is a Balance Sheet?
The balance sheet is a key part of both financial modeling and accounting. The company’s total assets and how they are financed, either by debt or equity, are displayed in the balance sheet. The balance sheet can also be described as a statement of financial position or a statement of net worth. The fundamental equation that describes the balance sheet is Assets = Liabilities + Equity.
Features of a Balance Sheet
In a balance sheet, the assets and the liabilities are divided into two separate categories which include current assets or current liabilities and noncurrent (long term assets) or noncurrent liabilities. After the illiquid accounts or non-current accounts such as plant, property, and equipment (PP & E) and the long-term debt, more liquid accounts are placed such as cash, inventory, and the trade payables.
Difference between a Trial Balance and a Balance Sheet
Sl no. |
Parameters |
Balance Sheet |
Trial Balance |
1 |
Meaning |
The financial statement depicting total assets and liabilities of an organization along with the capital invested by the shareholders in the same is known as the Balance Sheet. |
The sheet recording all of the balances of the general ledger accounts is known as the trial balance. |
2 |
Format |
The total of assets, liabilities and stockholders equity are displayed in an ideal format of a balance sheet. |
Dedicated columns of debit and credit are displayed in a trial balance. |
3 |
Purpose |
The main purpose is to give insight to the potential and existing investors about the position and the financial well-being of a company. |
The main purpose is to detect if there are any numerical errors that might have occurred while the double-entry system of accounting. |
4 |
Opening or Closing Stock |
It considers closing stock. |
It considers opening stock. |
5 |
Financial Statement and Financial Accounts |
It is a very important part of the financial statements and financial accounts. |
It is not a part of any. |
6 |
Types of Accounts |
The balance sheet only displays personal and real accounts. |
The trial balance can display real, personal, and nominal accounts. |
7 |
Use |
It is used for external purposes only. |
It is used for internal purposes. |
8 |
Authorization |
It requires the authorization of an auditor. |
It does not require any authorization. |
9 |
Source |
Trial balance acts as the source while working on a balance sheet. |
General ledgers act as sources while working on a trial balance. |
10 |
Application |
It is used for the evaluation of the financial position of an organization while depicting the accuracy of all financial affairs. |
It is used to ensure that the totals of all the debit and credit balances are equal. |
11 |
Recurrence |
It is made at the end of each financial year. |
It could be made at the end of a month, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly. |
12 |
Thumb Rule |
The proper arrangement of the assets, liabilities, and stockholder’s equity is necessary. |
No thumb rule. |
Concept of Trial Balance
Trial balance is an internal report generated by a company’s accounting department that lists general ledger accounts as well as its balances. The columns in the trial balance show the credit balance and debit balance amounts.
The figures in these columns are subsequently summed up for showing that the consolidated credit balance is equal to the consolidated debit balance.
Importance of Trial Balance
Trial balance acts as the precursor to the preparation of financial statements as well as assessing the arithmetical accuracy. It is used for the verification of actual amounts from various ledgers. It also leads to the determination of the balances of all ledger accounts, which are eventually used for the financial statements.
It assists in the rectification of errors and makes due adjustments. Such adjustments are relevant only for the particular accounting year. Trial balance also helps in the comparative analysis with a previous year’s balances and the current one.
Concept of Balance Sheet
As an external reporting document, the balance sheet forms a part of the financial statement of a company. It is primarily a summary and report on the balances generated out of liabilities, assets and the equity accounts held by stockholders in the general ledger of a company.
Due to this fact, a balance sheet is also referred to as “Statement of financial position”. This financial statement pertains to a particular date which is usually the accounting period’s last date.
Importance of Balance Sheet
The importance of balance as a part of a company’s financial statement can be understood along with the documents of cash flow and income statements. All of these combined together help in indicating the financial position of the company to the interested parties. It imparts the information about what the company owes and owns.
Such information is particularly crucial for such investors who seek to derive insights on the operations and financial health of a company for considering whether it will be a sound investment option.
Trial Balance vs Balance Sheet
The table below shows how to distinguish between trial balance and balance sheet.
Sl.No |
Parameters |
Trial Balance |
Balance sheet |
1. |
Meaning |
Trial balance is the compilation of the balances in all ledger accounts |
Balance sheet is the reporting of the financial condition of a company by way of a financial statement. |
2. |
Preparation |
After all the ledger accounts have been balanced and totalled, trial balance can be prepared |
After the compilation of trial balance and the profit and loss account is drawn up, balance sheet can be prepared |
3. |
Format |
There is a columnar format in trial balance with the right column indicating credit balances and debit balances shown in the left column |
Balance sheet has both a Report form and Account form. Within Report form, asset, liability and equity accounts are presented in a vertical format. Within Account form, the right side represents liabilities and equities, and assets are indicated in the left side |
4. |
Balances |
Trial balance includes real, personal and nominal account |
Balance sheet only includes real and personal account |
5. |
Purpose |
The purpose of trial balance is to ascertain the arithmetical accuracy in the items and expenses recorded and posted |
The purpose of balance sheet is to determine a company’s financial position on a given date |
6. |
Inclusion in Financial statement |
Trial balance is only a list of accounts, and it is not included in the financial statement |
Balance sheet is an integral part of the financial statement |
7. |
Signature of Auditor |
As trial balance is not a part of financial statements, there is no need for the signature of auditor |
Balance sheet is one of the important documents in the financial statement. Hence, auditor’s signature is mandatory |
8. |
Usage |
Trial balance is intended for internal reporting |
Balance sheet is prepared for external reporting |
9. |
Frequency |
Trial balance may be prepared multiple times in the course of an accounting year |
Balance sheet is prepared only once at the conclusion of an accounting year |
10. |
Filing |
Trial balance need not to be presented before any entity |
Balance sheet has to be presented before the Registrar of Companies if the operating entity is a company |
Table 1: Trial balance and balance sheet difference
Trial Balance Example
Let, the following be the trial balance of a consulting company, XYZ.
Account Title |
Credit (in Rupees) |
Debit (in Rupees) |
Cash |
7000 |
|
Accounts Receivable |
3000 |
|
Office Equipment |
5000 |
|
Office Supplies |
3000 |
|
Common stock |
10000 |
|
Consulting revenue |
7000 |
|
Accounts Payable |
1000 |
|
Bank loan |
5000 |
|
Utilities expense |
700 |
|
Supplies used |
1200 |
|
Salary expense |
2500 |
|
Rent expense |
600 |
|
Total |
Rs.23000 |
Rs.23000 |
Table 2: Trial Balance of XYZ
Table 2 shows that the credit equals the debit. However, the figures in the trial balance do not indicate accuracy, and it is entirely possible that an item or transaction may have been missed or a wrong expense account has been entered.
Balance Sheet Example
Assets |
(in Rupees) |
(in Rupees) |
Office Equipment |
5000 |
|
Office Supplies |
3000 |
|
Accounts Receivable |
3000 |
|
Cash |
7000 |
|
Total Assets |
Rs.18000 |
|
Liabilities |
||
Accounts Payable |
1000 |
|
Bank Loan |
5000 |
|
Rs.6000 |
||
Equity |
||
Common Stock |
10000 |
|
Net Income |
2000 |
|
Rs.12000 |
||
Total Liabilities and Equity |
Rs.18000 |
Table 3: Balance sheet of XYZ
A balance sheet can be presented in two formats – (a) report form and (b) account form. Table 3 shows the balance sheet of XYZ in report form.
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