Tasekirja

Tasekirja is a Finnish term that translates to "balance sheet" in English. It is a fundamental financial statement that a company or organization prepares to show its financial position at a specific point in time. The tasekirja adheres to the accounting principle of double-entry bookkeeping, meaning that every financial transaction affects at least two accounts.

The tasekirja is typically structured into two main sections: assets and liabilities plus equity. Assets represent what a company owns, such as cash, accounts receivable, inventory, and fixed assets like buildings and equipment. Liabilities represent what a company owes to others, including accounts payable, loans, and deferred revenue. Equity, also known as net worth or shareholders' equity, represents the owners' stake in the company. It is calculated as total assets minus total liabilities.

The core equation that governs the tasekirja is Assets = Liabilities + Equity. This equation must always balance, reflecting the fundamental principle that a company's resources (assets) are financed either by debt (liabilities) or by the owners' investment (equity). The tasekirja is crucial for understanding a company's financial health, its ability to meet its obligations, and its overall value. Investors, creditors, and management use the tasekirja to make informed decisions.