why does an organization prepare a balance sheet?
BALANCE SHEETS. The balance sheet, also known as the statement of financial position, is a snapshot of a company's financial condition at a single point in time. It presents a summary listing of a company's assets, liabilities, and owners' equity. The balance sheet is prepared as of the last day of the business year. Therefore, it corresponds to the end of the time period covered by the income statement. To understand the balance sheet, its purpose, and its contents, several accounting concepts need to be examined.