Common Business Accounting Calculations
Service2Client

Common Business Accounting CalculationsNo matter the type of business or industry, being able to analyze and deduce patterns is essential to discovering a business’ financial health. Here are four commonly used calculations to help internal and external stakeholders determine an organization’s ability to manage its finances.

Break-Even Analysis

This formula analyzes fixed costs versus the profitability a business earns for every extra item it creates and sells.

Businesses that have smaller thresholds to meet their fixed costs to realize profitability have an easier break-even point to meet and exceed. Once the fixed costs threshold is satisfied and sales revenue outpaces variable costs, a business will know when it hits the break-even point.

Break Even Point (BEP) = Total Fixed Costs/(Price Per Unit – Variable Cost Per Unit)

This takes the total fixed costs divided by the price per individual unit minus each unit’s variable cost.

Examples of fixed costs are rent, taxes, insurance and wages. Examples of variable costs are raw materials, production supplies, utilities and packaging.

Another way to determine a company’s break-even point is as follows:

Contribution Margin = Item Price – Variable Cost Per Unit

This is illustrated by: $55 = ($85 – $30)

The item’s priced at $85, with a variable cost of $30, the contribution margin is $55 of how much revenue a company earns to pay for the remaining fixed costs.

Cash Ratio Formula

The cash ratio formula offers one way to look at a company’s liquidity position by comparing a company’s cash and cash equivalents to its current liabilities or debts due within the next 12 months. It shows how well positioned a business is (or is not) able to pay debts due within 12 months, and to satisfy the near-term obligations of its long-term debt.

It’s an important ratio that lenders look at when evaluating a company’s loan application. Instead of including assets such as accounts receivables, it factors in a business’ ability to take care of its financial obligations. It’s thought of as being a more real world look at how financially stable a business is.

It’s calculated as follows: Cash Ratio: Cash + Cash Equivalents/Current Liabilities.

Gross Profit Margin

This is defined as all income minus the cost of goods sold (COGS). COGS is comprised of expenses attributable to the creation of products, which include input materials and salaries for workers to produce such goods. However, it excludes expenses for taxes, overhead, debt, asset acquisitions, etc., among others. Another way to explain this calculation is to ask how much a business retains as profit once production costs are accounted for.

It’s calculated as follows: Gross Profit Margin = [(Net Sales – Cost of Goods Sold)/(New Sales)] x 100

Debt-to-Equity (D/E) Ratio

This is used to determine how much debt or financial leverage a company has on its books. It tells internal stakeholders and external parties what percentage of debt a company is using to operate compared to the business’ available operating reserves. This ratio contrasts a business’ complete financial obligations against its shareholder equity. Its primary use is to see how extensively it uses debt to operate.

It’s calculated as follows: Debt/Equity Ratio = Total Liabilities/Total Shareholders’ Equity.

While these calculations may seem straightforward, these are only a few examples of how businesses can calculate and analyze a company’s position – be it the owner, an employee or an outside lender or investor.


Disclaimer 

Have any questions, give us a call here at Metro Tax & Financial Services.
We are here to help you get through the stress of taxes!

We offer a free 30-minute consultation so call us and let’s get your appointment set up (928) 680-1444

For more Tax Facts make sure you are following us on Facebook

Click HERE for more Tax Facts and Financial News

Suggested Articles

2022: Student Loan Forgiveness + Updated Repayment

Loan Forgiveness Photo by Etienne Martin on Unsplash The current administration has changed the repayment date for student loans to the end of January 2022. But let's look at some other options such as student loan forgiveness Last time we talked about the Student...

Tax Fact: Do you need an Accountant?

As a business owner, an accountant can help you handle growth transitions, such as hiring employees or taking on more office space. They'll look after the detail (payroll, employee tax management, property tax, utility payments, and so on), leaving you free to look at...

Defining Net Revenue Retention (NRR)

The subscription economy, according to Forbes, is expected to reach $1.5 trillion in revenue for businesses. With the potential likely realized this year, it's vital to understand how it is tracked – and more importantly, how it's able to be tracked on a...

Tax Payments Schedule for 2021

Here is the schedule for Tax Payments for 2021. Not everyone has a regular job and elects to have taxes withheld each paycheck or deposit. If you’re self-employed, paying alimony, have rental properties, etc. you probably aren’t paying a traditional withholding and...

Student Loan Relief Package

Loan Relief Photo by MD Duran on Unsplas With 2020 being a pandemic year, the government understood that many individuals lost their jobs and couldn’t make payments to their loans. So they created a student loan relief package. Last time we talked about the Low Down...

Tax Fact: Stimulus Check

With the talk about the stimulus check, we all have many questions. One of the things I have read is if you haven't had your 2018 or 2019 taxes done get them done as soon as possible. They are going to base your check amount on your tax return. If you have received a...

The Low Down on Student Loans and Taxes:

Student Loans Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash Let's now talk about Student Loans and Taxes. In 2020, the National Center of Educational Statistics stated that over 19.7 million students were likely to attend the fall semester, either online or in person. On...

Small Business Expenses

We’ve previously discussed HERE the startup of a business, so here’s the continuation of more things to track your expenses with your small business. And trust us, you’ll appreciate doing this now, rather than later.  Different types of Business Expenses Business...

Pre-Retirement Planning Guide – Finding Purpose In Life

Step 7: Find Your Raison d’EtreWhat do you consider to be your purpose in this world? Few people think about their life that way. In Japan, they call it your ikigai. In France, they refer to your raison d’etre. For Americans, that roughly translates to...

Tact Fact: Hobby Versus Business

Imagine if you could turn your favorite leisure activity into a successful business venture. Many Americans are now turning to what they love to earn income, whether it’s enough to quit their day job or just a fun way to cover the costs. If you are passionate about a...