Common Size Financial Statement

Filed Under »
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Common Size Financial Statement'

A company financial statement that displays all items as percentages of a common base figure. This type of financial statement allows for easy analysis between companies or between time periods of a company.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Common Size Financial Statement'

The values on the common size statement are expressed as percentages of a statement component such as revenue. While most firms don't report their statements in common size, it is beneficial to compute if you want to analyze two or more companies of differing size against each other.

Formatting financial statements in this way reduces the bias that can occur when analyzing companies of differing sizes. It also allows for the analysis of a company over various time periods, revealing, for example, what percentage of sales is cost of goods sold and how that value has changed over time.

Related Definitions

  • Balance Sheet

    A financial statement that summarizes a company's assets, liabilities and shareholders' equity at a specific point in time. These three balance sheet segments give investors an idea as ...
    Read More »
  • Income Statement

    A financial statement that measures a company's financial performance over a specific accounting period. Financial performance is assessed by giving a summary of how the business incurs ...
    Read More »
  • Financial Accounting

    Reporting of the financial position and performance of a firm through financial statements issued to external users on a periodic basis.
    Read More »
    • Accounting

      To provide a record such as funds paid or received for a person or business. Accounting summarizes and submits this information in reports and statements. The reports are intended both ...
      Read More »
    • Common Size Balance Sheet

      A company balance sheet that displays all items as percentages of a common base figure. This type of financial statement can be used to allow for easy analysis between companies or ...
      Read More »
    • Common Size Income Statement

      An income statement in which each account is expressed as a percentage of the value of sales. This type of financial statement can be used to allow for easy analysis between companies or ...
      Read More »
    • Revenue

      The amount of money that a company actually receives during a specific period, including discounts and deductions for returned merchandise. It is the "top line" or "gross income" figure ...
      Read More »
    • Generally Accepted Accounting Principles - GAAP

      The common set of accounting principles, standards and procedures that companies use to compile their financial statements. GAAP are a combination of authoritative standards (set by ...
      Read More »
    • Handelsgesetzbuch - HGB

      A law that governs the primary commercial code for companies in Germany. Included in the law is regulation related to the preparation of financial statements. This law is similar to ...
      Read More »

Articles Of Interest

Partner Links