Classified Balance Sheet: Definition, Examples, Format, Template, Importance

A balance sheet is a financial statement that includes account balances from accounting systems. It classifies those balances under three categories, assets, liabilities, and equity. Primarily, it follows the accounting equation. This equation states the total of assets should equal the total of liabilities and equity. Therefore, the balance sheet presents those balances to show the requirement of the equation has been met.

Most companies use a straightforward format for the balance sheet, which comes from accounting standards. However, some investors prefer other presentations, such as the classified balance sheet.

Add your business to our business directory https://harbourfronts.com/directory/ Add your business. Also check out other businesses in the directory

Table of Contents

What is a Classified Balance Sheet?

A classified balance sheet follows the same format as a typical balance sheet. However, it rearranges some items to make them more readable. The classified balance includes assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity. It classifies these into subcategories of accounts. However, there is no standard method of preparing the classified balance sheet. Companies must choose how to present it.

READ OUR POSTS

The classified balance sheet aggregates balances into several categories. While these categories depend on the company management’s judgment, the goal is to make them more readable and accessible. Due to this approach, users can comprehend and extract information more easily. Primarily, the classified balance sheet provides organized details of the company’s operations compared to the typical balance sheet.

What is the format of the Classified Balance Sheet?

The typical balance sheet comes with a standardized format from various accounting principles and standards. However, the classified one does not have these requirements. Usually, companies include several subheadings in the classified format to expand and categorize information better. Some of the categories within the classified balance sheet may include the following.

Fixed assets
Long-term assets
Intangible assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Long-term liabilities
Shareholders’ equity

Each subheading includes various line items like the typical balance sheet. Companies may also choose to prepare the classified balance sheet using a two-sided approach. Consequently, they will put assets on one side and liabilities and equity on the other. Either way, the classifications within these headings will remain the same.

Example

Given below is an example of a typical classified balance sheet.

Current Assets		Current liabilities
Inventories	XUZ	Accounts payable	XYZ
Account receivables	XYZ	Accrued expenses	XYZ
Cash and cash equivalent	XYZ	Overdraft	XYZ
Total current assets	XYZ	Total current liabilities	XYZ
Fixed assets		Long-term liabilities
Building	XYZ	Bank loan	XYZ
Land	XYZ	Notes payable	XYZ
Equipment	XYZ	Total long-term liabilities	XYZ
Total fixed assets	XYZ	Shareholders’ equity
Long-term investments		Share capital	XYZ
Investment in ABC Co.	XYZ	Share premium	XYZ
Investment in XYZ Co.	XYZ	Retained earnings	XYZ
Total long-term investments	XYZ	Total shareholders’ equity	XYZ

Total assets	XYZ	Total liabilities and equity	XYZW

What is the importance of the Classified Balance Sheet?

The classified balance sheet provides companies with an alternative way of reporting their financial position. On top of that, it allows them to help investors and other stakeholders understand and analyze the information. Similarly, the classified balance sheet enhances ratio analysis by classifying related data. Compared to its traditional counterpart, the classified version provides significant advantages.

The classified balance sheet also allows companies to provide more information to users than the traditional one. It helps explain various areas better, such as accrued and prepaid expenses, liabilities, fixed assets, etc. Although most companies use the traditional balance sheet, investors may prefer the classified one more.

Conclusion

The balance sheet is a financial statement that reports on the financial position of an entity. While most companies prepare the standardized version of this statement, some prefer the classified one. The classified balance sheet provides better information on various subcategories while maintaining the essence of the accounting equation.