Using Financial Statements, Tools To Plan Your Future

Know what you have before planning the future using specific financial tools and financial statements.

---

There are many famous quotes about the importance of enjoying the present and not focusing too much on the past or the future. We do this in our personal lives and with many of our responsibilities, such as work, education and our finances. As a financial planner, I meet with many people seeking assistance with meeting specific financial goals and find that many times they have ideas of what they want and what they have already done. This is great, but before planning the future, it is important to know what you have now, a snapshot of your current situation. This is a critical piece, not only for individuals, but businesses, too.

Before focusing on investment news, what stocks are hot, politics and what might be a new trend in the investment world, investors should focus on understanding their current position. It is nearly impossible to determine the right mix of investments and what strategies may be appropriate without knowing this. Investors can use specific financial tools, including different financial statements, to help them identify what they have. These tools can apply to both individuals and businesses.

The first step is a data-gathering process. The second is imputing the information from various financial statements. For individuals, we would include a statement of financial position and a statement of cash flow. For business owners, we would include a balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flow, and a pro forma statement. These are great tools that can help identify one’s financial position.

When creating a statement of financial position, one will clearly list his or hers assets and liabilities. Assets, such as real estate or other valuable items, should be considered at current market value (the price that one is willing to pay today for it). Assets should be categorized as cash and cash-equivalents, such as checking, savings, money market accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and life insurance. Liabilities include credit cards, auto loans, unsecured loans, real estate mortgages, education loans and personal debts. This will provide individuals a balance sheet of assets at a particular point in time.

The next important piece is a statement of cash flow. Some of us may know this as an income statement. This statement will show inflow of income and outflow of income at a particular point in time. The inflow may include salaries, sale of assets, investment dividends, rent and bonuses. Outflows may include mortgage payments, auto payments, credit card payments, insurance, general living expenses and taxes. The statement of financial position and statement of cash flow are valuable tools to have before implementing an investment plan.

A pro forma statement is the last tool to use and includes future projections of the balance sheet and cash flow statement. This is important because as our economy and life situations change, we may need to adjustment our plan as needed. The same process also applies to business owners. However, the business entity will need to consider many more details regarding assets and liabilities, as well as inventory and staff.

Once the financial statement process has been completed, one will have a greater understanding of his or her position when beginning an investment plan. In addition, this process can improve the odds of success and allow more control in an investor’s decisions.

For more information about financial statements and financial planning, visit jacobgold.com.