Simple interest is the amount of money that an investment earns during 1 given period, it is calculated by multiplying the principal amount of the investment by the interest rate = $4,000 x 4% = $160
On the other hand, compound interest is interest that gains more interest by itself. This means that the interest gained during a given period, will gain more interest itself for the next period. It is calculated using the following formula = principal amount x (1 + interest rate)ⁿ, where n is the number of periods.
The effect on the financial reporting of the company is that the liabilities on the balance sheet would be understated. This is because at the end of the year, a possible event was calculated. The management felt from the calculation of that event that it is possible that the event could become an actual liability and that the amount could be estimated explainably. So it would become understated if these calculations of probable events cannot be written down in the balance sheet or in the notes of the final statements. It is like a forecasting of possible events that may happen in the future to prevent losses in the company.
