Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label balance sheet

How SEC regulates stock market?

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is independent U.S federal agency that regulates the stock market. It was created in 1934 by Congress to help restore investor confidence after the 1929 stock market crash. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 was created by Securities and Exchange Commission. It govern securities transaction on the secondary market relying on Securities Act of 1933 which increased transparency in financial  statements and  established  laws against fraudulent activities. In essence SEC provides transparency by ensuring accurate and consistent information about companies that allows investors to make informed and sound decisions. Without transparency stock market would be vulnerable to market speculation and creation of asset bubbles.  Securities and Exchange Commission has five  commissioners and five different divisions: Division of corporate finance - review corporate filing requirements ensuring that investors have c...

Why is business plan important?

If you are starting a business, having a business plan is a must but it is also important if you already have established business. The biggest mistake is to see business plan as something static, with time it will change just like your business. In the growth phase good  plan will help you with forecasting sales and raising capital. Later, it can help you to see what goals you have accomplished and what new ones you need to add. Your business plan must be well thought so it represent your company in the best possible way. Good written business plan let others know that you are serious and that you can handle all that running a business requires from you. There are couple of necessary elements that your business plan needs to have: executive summary,  business/industry description, market analysis, competitive analysis, sales and marketing strategies, organization management, operating and financial plan including funding requirements. The executive summary is the ...

Understanding financial statement

The financial statement is a written record of financial activities that gives an overview of financials results and conditions. Financial statement has three basic components: balance sheet which is an overview of assets, liabilities and equity on a particular date, income statement shows net income of the company during a set period of time and cash flow statement which shows inflow and outflow of cash caused by company's activities during stated period of time. Financial statements are often audited to ensure accuracy for tax, financing and investing purposes. Balance sheet reports your net worth at a particular point in time; you can understand it as snapshot in time, usually at the end of the fiscal year. It summarizes all financial data in three categories, assets, liabilities and equity. Assets are tangible objects of financial value owned by the company. Liability is debt owed to a creditor and Equity is a net difference when total liabilities ...