Question

Financial statements are optional accounting reports issued periodically by a firm which present information on the past performance of the​ firm, a summary of the​ firm's assets and the financing of those​ assets, and a prediction of the​ firm's future performance.
True / False.

Answer 1

Answer:

False

Explanation:

Financial statements are not optional, several government entities require companies to present them, and if it is a traded company, then the requirements are even more, e.g. IRS, state and local taxing entities, SEC.

The next part of the statement was almost right:

• financial statements are issued periodically (corporations issue them quarterly, other companies must issue yearly reports)
• the balance sheet is a summary of the firm's assets and how they are financed

But the last part was wrong: prediction of the firm's future performance. Accounting doesn't predict anything, it reports past transactions. My accounting professor always referred to accounting records as pictures of the company, they show you how the company was at a certain point in time. Financial statements can even change significantly from the moment that they are prepared (e.g. December 31) until the moment that they are finished (around February-March). No company presents their financial statements on January 2, even individuals are aloud to present their personal tax filing by April.

Answer 2

Answer:

False

Explanation:

Financial statements are written records that convey the business activities and the financial performance of a company. Financial statements are often audited by government agencies, accountants, firms, etc. to ensure accuracy and for tax, financing, or investing purposes.

These documents play a pivotal role in a financial institution, thus, not optional.

Cheers