Investopedia contributors come from a range of backgrounds, and over 25 years there have been thousands of expert writers and editors who have contributed. Suzanne is a content marketer, writer, and ...

Do you know how to read a profit and loss statement? Do you know what your gross profit margin is and what it means for your bottom line? How about your Cost of Goods Sold? If you are like many ...

J.B. Maverick is an active trader, commodity futures broker, and stock market analyst 17+ years of experience, in addition to 10+ years of experience as a finance writer and book editor. Amy is an ACA ...

Businesses create financial statements to communicate the financial state of the business. The accountant prepares the financial statements on an accrual basis or on a tax basis. Accrual basis ...

Businesses use four primary financial statements to aggregate and present financial data to internal and external stakeholders. Publicly traded corporations are required to submit financial statements ...

More than just paperwork, audited financial reports show that the numbers for your business add up. Knowing what goes into an audited statement and why it matters can help you gain confidence with ...

When you apply for business funding, lenders and investors want to ensure they won’t lose money on your venture. That’s why bringing detailed financial statements to your pitch meeting is crucial.