Accounting Equation & Common Accounting Formulas | DeVry (2024)

Accounting is full of various equations and formulas that are designed to help you quickly and effectively acquire information about the financial standing of your business. Among these many formulas is the famous accounting equation, which is used to calculate the total value of the assets held by your company.

In a situation where the business has a sole proprietor, the formula is as follows:

Assets = Liabilities + Owner's Equity

For publicly held corporations, the formula is the same, but equity is described as shareholder’s equity:

Assets = Liabilities + Shareholder's Equity

And as any accountant knows, having a clear picture of a company’s finances and what it has on hand is one of the most important elements in making good financial decisions, and why the accounting equation is so critical.

In this article, we'll dig into each element of the accounting equation and explain some of its applications in order to help you become more familiar with the formula. You'll learn about all of these things and more as we explore the following sections:

Accounting Equation & Common Accounting Formulas | DeVry (2024)

FAQs

What is the common accounting formula? ›

The basic accounting equation gives meaning to the balance sheet structure and is the foundation of double-entry accounting. It has the following formula: Assets = Liabilities + Owner's Equity.

What equations are used in accounting? ›

The three elements of the accounting equation are assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity. The formula is straightforward: A company's total assets are equal to its liabilities plus its shareholders' equity.

What is the basic accounting equation sheet? ›

Basic Accounting Equation: Assets = Liabilities + Equity

The accounting equation states that a company's assets must be equal to the sum of its liabilities and equity on the balance sheet, at all times.

What is the basic accounting equation template? ›

Wait a minute…the accounting equation is ASSETS = LIABILITIES + EQUITY and it does not have revenue or expenses… where do they fit in? Revenue – Expenses equals net income. Net Income is added to Equity at the end of the period.

What is the golden formula of accounting? ›

What are the Golden Rules of Accounting? 1) Debit what comes in - credit what goes out. 2) Credit the giver and Debit the Receiver. 3) Credit all income and debit all expenses.

How to memorize accounting formulas? ›

Consider using mnemonic devices to associate formulas with memorable phrases or images. For example, to remember the formula for calculating the return on investment (ROI), you could create a mnemonic like “ROI is the Reward Of Investment.” Visualizing this phrase can help reinforce your memory of the formula.

What is the basic math for accounting? ›

Basic arithmetic—addition, subtraction, multiplication and division—is at the core of the accounting math skills that accountants need. Companies rely on accountants to square their balance sheets, ensuring that the organization stays in the black.

What is the basic accounting formula for a balance sheet? ›

The balance sheet is based on the fundamental equation: Assets = Liabilities + Equity.

What is the key to the accounting equation? ›

In the basic accounting equation, assets are equal to liabilities plus equity. You can find a company's assets, liabilities, and equity on key financial statements, such as balance sheets and income statements (also called profit and loss statements).

What is the foundational accounting equation? ›

Assets = Liabilities ₊ Shareholders' Equity

If the two sides of this equation are unequal, the books do not balance, and an error has been made. However, maintaining this equality does not ensure that the financial statements are correct; errors can exist even if the accounting equation balances.

What is the accounting equation for revenue and expenses? ›

In it's entirety, the expanded equation looks like this: Assets = Liabilities + Owner Contributions – Owner Withdrawals + Revenues – Expenses. This equation is the basis for the entire set of financial statements.

How to calculate owner's equity? ›

The formula for owner's equity is: Owner's Equity = Assets - Liabilities. Assets, liabilities, and subsequently the owner's equity can be derived from a balance sheet, which shows these items at a specific point in time.

What is the normal accounting formula? ›

The accounting equation formula is: Assets = Liabilities + Owners' or Stockholders' Equity. This equation contains three of the five so called ``accounting elements''--assets, liabilities, equity.

What is the formula for common size accounting? ›

This statement tells if and how profitable a company was during a determined period. Common size analysis of the income statement is usually done using total revenue (sales) as the base. Revenue is set at 100% and all other items as a percentage. The calculation looks like this: (Total item/Total Assets) * 100.

What is the most common form of the accounting equation? ›

Assets = Liabilities + Equity. The accounting equation, also known as the balance sheet or the basic accounting equation, is a fundamental principle in financial accounting that establishes the relationship between a company's assets, liabilities, and equity. The equation is expressed as Assets = Liabilities + Equity.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Neely Ledner

Last Updated:

Views: 5723

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Neely Ledner

Birthday: 1998-06-09

Address: 443 Barrows Terrace, New Jodyberg, CO 57462-5329

Phone: +2433516856029

Job: Central Legal Facilitator

Hobby: Backpacking, Jogging, Magic, Driving, Macrame, Embroidery, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.