Balance Sheet Vs Consolidated Balance Sheet Top 9 Differences

Balance Sheet vs. Consolidated Balance Sheet

There’s a subtle difference between the balance sheet and the consolidated balance sheet. It is in the way both are prepared. All companies prepare the balance sheet since it is one major financial statement. However, the consolidated balance sheet isn’t prepared by all companies; rather, companies with shares in other companies (subsidiaries) prepare a consolidated balance sheet.

Knowing about both of them is important since both are prepared differently. For example, preparing a balance sheet is easy, and all you need to do is put in your company’s assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity. But in the case of a consolidated balance sheet, you need to include other items like minority interest.

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In this article, we discuss the following –

Balance Sheet vs. Consolidated Balance Sheet [Infographics]

Balance sheet vs. Consolidated balances sheet differences are as follows –

What is the Balance Sheet?

In simple terms, a balance sheet is a sheet that balances two sides – assets and liabilities.

For example, if ABC Company takes a loan of $10,000 from the bank, in the balance sheet, ABC Company will put it in the following manner –

First, on the “asset” side, the inclusion of “Cash” of $10,000.Second, on the “liability” side, there will be “Debt” of $10,000.

So, you can see that one transaction has two-fold consequences which balance each other. And that’s what the balance sheet does.

Though this is the most surface-level understanding of the balance sheet, we can develop this understanding once you understand it.

Assets

Let’s understand assets first.

In the assets section, we will first include “current assets.”

Current assets are assets that can be quickly liquidated into cash. Here are the items we will consider under “current assets” –

Cash & Cash EquivalentsShort-term investmentsInventoriesTrade & Other ReceivablesPrepayments & Accrued IncomeAccrued IncomeAccrued Income is that part of the income which is earned but hasn’t been received yet. This income is shown in the balance sheet as accounts receivables.read moreDerivative AssetsCurrent Income Tax AssetsAssets Held for SaleForeign CurrencyPrepaid ExpensesPrepaid ExpensesPrepaid expenses refer to advance payments made by a firm whose benefits are acquired in the future. Payment for the goods is made in the current accounting period, but the delivery is received in the upcoming accounting period.read more

Non-currents assets are assets that pay off more than a year, and these assets can’t be liquidated in cash easily. Non-current assetsNon-current AssetsNon-current assets are long-term assets bought to use in the business, and their benefits are likely to accrue for many years. These Assets reveal information about the company’s investing activities and can be tangible or intangible. Examples include property, plant, equipment, land & building, bonds and stocks, patents, trademark.read more are also called fixed assets. After “current assets,” we will include “non-current assets.”

Under “non-current assets,” we would include the following items –

Property, plant, and equipmentGoodwillIntangible assetsIntangible AssetsIntangible Assets are the identifiable assets which do not have a physical existence, i.e., you can’t touch them, like goodwill, patents, copyrights, & franchise etc. They are considered as long-term or long-living assets as the Company utilizes them for over a year. read moreInvestments in associates & joint venturesJoint VenturesA joint venture is a commercial arrangement between two or more parties in which the parties pool their assets with the goal of performing a specific task, and each party has joint ownership of the entity and is accountable for the costs, losses, or profits that arise out of the venture.read moreFinancial assetsFinancial AssetsFinancial assets are investment assets whose value derives from a contractual claim on what they represent. These are liquid assets because the economic resources or ownership can be converted into a valuable asset such as cash.read moreEmployee benefits assetsDeferred tax assets

If we add up “current assets” and “non-current assets,” we will get “total assets.”

Liabilities

Again in liabilities, we will have separate sections.

First, we will talk about “current liabilities.”

Current liabilities are liabilities that you can pay off in the short term. Current liabilities includeCurrent Liabilities IncludeCurrent Liabilities are the payables which are likely to settled within twelve months of reporting. They’re usually salaries payable, expense payable, short term loans etc.read more –

Financial Debt (Short term)Trade & Other PayablesProvisionsAccruals & Deferred IncomeDeferred IncomeDeferred Revenue, also known as Unearned Income, is the advance payment that a Company receives for goods or services that are to be provided in the future. The examples include subscription services & advance premium received by the Insurance Companies for prepaid Insurance policies etc. read moreCurrent Income Tax LiabilitiesDerivative LiabilitiesAccounts PayableAccounts PayableAccounts payable is the amount due by a business to its suppliers or vendors for the purchase of products or services. It is categorized as current liabilities on the balance sheet and must be satisfied within an accounting period.read moreSales Taxes PayableInterests PayableInterests PayableInterest Payable is the amount of expense that has been incurred but not yet paid. It is a liability that appears on the company’s balance sheet.read moreShort Term LoanShort Term LoanShort-term loans are defined as borrowings undertaken for a short period to meet immediate monetary requirements.read moreCurrent maturities of long term debtCurrent Maturities Of Long Term DebtCurrent Portion of Long-Term Debt (CPLTD) is payable within the next year from the date of the balance sheet, and are separated from the long-term debt as they are to be paid within next year using the company’s cash flows or by utilizing its current assets.read moreCustomer deposits in advanceLiabilities directly associated with assets held for sale

Now, we will look at long term liabilitiesLong Term LiabilitiesLong Term Liabilities, also known as Non-Current Liabilities, refer to a Company’s financial obligations that are due for over a year (from its operating cycle or the Balance Sheet Date). read more, which are also called “non-current liabilities.”

Noncurrent liabilities are liabilities which the company will pay off in the long run (in more than 1 year time).

Let’s have a look at what items we will consider under “non-current liabilities” –

Financial Debt (Long term)ProvisionsEmployee Benefits LiabilitiesDeferred Tax LiabilitiesDeferred Tax LiabilitiesDeferred tax liabilities arise to the company due to the timing difference between the accrual of the tax and the date when the company pays the taxes to the tax authorities. This is because taxes get due in one accounting period but are not paid in that period.read moreOther Payables

If we total “current liabilities” and “non-current liabilities,” we will get “total liabilities.”

Now, we will talk about “shareholders’ equity,” which will come under Liabilities.

Remember the equation of the balance sheetEquation Of The Balance SheetBalance Sheet Formula is a fundamental accounting equation which mentions that, for a business, the sum of its owner’s equity & the total liabilities equal to its total assets, i.e., Assets = Equity + Liabilitiesread more?

Assets = Liabilities + Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders’ equity is the statement which talks about the equity capital of the company. Let’s look at the format to get a better understanding of it –

If we total “shareholders’ equity” and “total liabilities,” we will get a similar balance, we ascertained under “total assets.” If “total assets” and “total liabilities + shareholders’ equity” don’t match, there’s an error somehow in any financial statementFinancial StatementFinancial statements are written reports prepared by a company’s management to present the company’s financial affairs over a given period (quarter, six monthly or yearly). These statements, which include the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flows, and Shareholders Equity Statement, must be prepared in accordance with prescribed and standardized accounting standards to ensure uniformity in reporting at all levels.read more.

Also, check out Negative Shareholders EquityNegative Shareholders EquityNegative shareholders equity refers to the negative balance of the shareholder’s equity, which arises when the company’s total liabilities are more than the value of its total assets. The reasons for such negative balance include accumulated losses, large dividend payments, and large borrowing for covering accrued losses.read more.

What is the Consolidated Balance Sheet?

Let’s say that you have a full-fledged company, MNC Company. Now you saw a small business, BCA Company, which may help you produce goods for your business. So you decide to buy the company as a subsidiary of MNC Company.

MNC Company now has three options.

MNC Company can let BCA Company run its operation autonomously.MNC Company can absorb BCA Company completely.Finally, MNC Company does something in between the first and the second option.

However, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) don’t give you an option. According to GAAP, MNC Company needs to treat BCA Company as a single enterprise.

Here you need to realize the value of consolidation. Consolidation means you would put together all the assets. For example, an MNC Company has total assets of $2 million. MNC Company’s subsidiary BCA Company has assets of $500,000. So in the consolidated balance sheet, MNC Company will put the total assetsTotal AssetsTotal Assets is the sum of a company’s current and noncurrent assets. Total assets also equals to the sum of total liabilities and total shareholder funds. Total Assets = Liabilities + Shareholder Equityread more of $2.5 million.

This is similar to all sorts of items that will take place on the balance sheet of each company.

Also, check out US GAAP vs. IFRSUS GAAP Vs. IFRSThe International Accounting and Standards Board (IASB) issued IFRS, whereas GAAP is given by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Though attempts are being made to bring about convergence, it becomes essential to be considerate when evaluating financial statements under the different frameworks.read more

Rule of thumb

You may think, how would you decide whether you should prepare a consolidated balance sheet or not? Here’s the rule of thumb you should remember –

Concept of “Minority Interest”

source: Walt Disney SEC Filings

If a company owns 100% of another company, there’s no complexity. Instead, the parent company will create a consolidated balance sheet for parent and subsidiary companies.

The problem arises when the parent companyParent CompanyA holding company is a company that owns the majority voting shares of another company (subsidiary company). This company also generally controls the management of that company, as well as directs the subsidiary’s directions and policies.read more owns less than 100% of the subsidiary company. In this situation, the parent company consolidates the balance sheet as usual, but in shareholders’ equity, the parent company includes a small section of “minority interest.” The idea is to claim all the assets and liabilities and provide something back in the equity.

For example, if a company owns 55% of another company, a minority interest will be added (in a similar proportion) in the equity section. But all the assets and liabilities will be taken as 100%.

Also, have a look at this detailed guide to Minority InterestDetailed Guide To Minority InterestMinority interest is the investors’ stakeholding that is less than 50% of the existing shares or the voting rights in the company. The minority shareholders do not have control over the company through their voting rights, thereby having a meagre role in the corporate decision-making.read more.

An alternative to a consolidated balance sheet

What does a parent company do when it owns less than 50% of another company? In that case, the parent company would not create a consolidated balance sheet. Rather, the parent company will only include its assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity. And the portion of interest in the subsidiary company as “investments” in the assets section.

For example, MNC Company owns a 35% stake in BCA Company. Now, MNC Company will prepare a balance sheet that is not consolidated. And at the same time, there will be no change in the assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity. But there will be a 35% stake of investment (the amount would be similar) in the assets section.

Key differences – Balance Sheet vs. Consolidated Balance Sheet

There are few key differences between balance sheet and consolidated balance sheet –

A Balance Sheet is a statement that balances assets and liabilities. On the other hand, a consolidated balance sheet extends a balance sheet. In the consolidated balance sheet, the assets and liabilities of subsidiary companies are also included in the assets and liabilities of a parent company.The Balance Sheet is the easiest statement of all four statements in financial accountingFinancial AccountingFinancial accounting refers to bookkeeping, i.e., identifying, classifying, summarizing and recording all the financial transactions in the Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement. It even includes the analysis of these financial statements.read more. On the other hand, the consolidated balance sheet is the most complex.To prepare a balance sheet, one needs to look at the trial balance, income statement, cash flow statementCash Flow StatementA Statement of Cash Flow is an accounting document that tracks the incoming and outgoing cash and cash equivalents from a business.read more, and then can easily sum up two sides of the sheet to balance assets and liabilities. The consolidated balance sheet takes a lot of time because it involves the parent company’s balance sheet and the items in the subsidiary company’s balance sheet. Depending on the percentage of the stake, the consolidated balance sheet is made. If the stake is 100%, the parent company prepares a full, consolidated balance sheet. If it’s less than 100% but more than 50%, the parent company prepares the balance sheet differently by including “minority interest.”A balance sheet is mandatory. If you own an organization, you must produce a balance sheet at the end of a financial period. On the other hand, the consolidated balance sheet isn’t mandatory for every company. Even the parent company, which owns less than 50% stake in any other company, doesn’t need to prepare a consolidated balance sheet. Only the parent company that owns more than 50% stake in other companies needs to prepare a consolidated balance sheet.If you can understand the balance sheet concept, learning a consolidated balance sheet wouldn’t take much time. The consolidated balance sheet is just an extension of a balance sheet.According to GAAP’s accounting principles, balance sheets and consolidated balance sheets are prepared. The objective is to protect investors from any hassle. Balance sheets and consolidated balance sheets are prepared to disclose the right information to potential investors to make a prudent choice about whether to invest in a particular company.

Balance Sheet vs. Consolidated Balance Sheet (Comparison Table)

Also, check out – Learn Basic AccountingBasic AccountingAccounting is the formal process through which a company attempts to present its financial information in a way that is both auditable and usable by the general public. read more in less than 1 hour.

Conclusion – Balance Sheet vs. Consolidated Balance Sheet

The basic difference between the balance sheet and a consolidated balance sheet is the inclusion of another company (which we call a subsidiary) in a consolidated balance sheet. And that’s why the whole process gets complicated.

As a parent company, you may decide otherwise (for example, not preparing the consolidated balance sheet and letting the subsidiary company operate its own business). Still, the accounting principles of GAAP bind you. And that’s why you need to prepare a consolidated balance sheet if you own a stake of more than 50% in the subsidiary company.

What Next?

I hope you understood the key differences between the balance sheet and the consolidated balance sheet. Which companies did you come across where you analyzed the two types of balance sheets separately? Do tell me about it in the comments!

Balance Sheet Vs Consolidated Balance Sheet Top 9 Differences