Current Liabilities
Financial Statement Analysis
Many things can impact the calculation of ratios and make comparisons difficult. The limitations include:
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The use of estimates in allocating costs to each period. The ratios will be as accurate as the estimates.
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The cost principle is used to prepare financial statements. Financial data is not adjusted for price changes or inflation/deflation.
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Companies have a choice of accounting methods (for example, inventory LIFO vs FIFO and depreciation methods). These differences impact ratios and make it difficult to compare companies using different methods.
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Companies may have different fiscal year ends making comparison difficult if the industry is cyclical.
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Diversified companies are difficult to classify for comparison purposes.
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Financial statement analysis does not provide answers to all the users' questions. In fact, it usually generates more questions!
