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Multiple Choice
When examining an income statement, which of the following is most important to keep in mind?
A
It lists all of a company's assets and liabilities at a specific point in time.
B
It provides information about changes in shareholders' equity during the period.
C
It details the cash inflows and outflows from operating, investing, and financing activities.
D
It shows a company's revenues and expenses over a specific period, helping assess profitability.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the purpose of an income statement. An income statement is a financial report that provides a summary of a company's revenues and expenses over a specific period, typically a month, quarter, or year. Its primary goal is to assess the company's profitability during that time frame.
Step 2: Differentiate the income statement from other financial statements. Unlike the balance sheet, which lists assets and liabilities at a specific point in time, or the cash flow statement, which details cash inflows and outflows, the income statement focuses on operational performance and profitability.
Step 3: Identify the key components of an income statement. These include revenues (sales or income generated from operations), expenses (costs incurred to generate revenues), and net income (the difference between revenues and expenses, representing profit or loss).
Step 4: Recognize the importance of the income statement for decision-making. Investors, creditors, and management use the income statement to evaluate the company's financial health, operational efficiency, and ability to generate profits over time.
Step 5: Confirm the correct answer. Based on the explanation above, the correct answer is: 'It shows a company's revenues and expenses over a specific period, helping assess profitability.' This aligns with the primary purpose of the income statement.