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Multiple Choice
Which of the following must be forecasted first in order to prepare the pro forma income statement?
A
Dividends paid
B
Total assets
C
Sales (or revenues)
D
Interest expense
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the purpose of a pro forma income statement: It is a financial statement that projects future income and expenses based on assumptions about sales, costs, and other factors.
Recognize that sales (or revenues) are the starting point for forecasting a pro forma income statement. This is because sales drive many other components, such as cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and net income.
Identify the relationship between sales and other elements of the income statement: For example, cost of goods sold is often calculated as a percentage of sales, and operating expenses may be influenced by the level of sales activity.
Acknowledge that interest expense and dividends paid are not directly tied to sales. Interest expense is related to financing decisions, and dividends paid are a distribution of profits, not an operational expense.
Conclude that forecasting sales first is essential because it provides the foundation for estimating other components of the pro forma income statement, ensuring accuracy and consistency in the projections.