A Visual Guide to Financial Statements for Your Business (Infographic) They provide insight into the health of a company, as well as information on assets, liability, income and cash flow.

By Rose Leadem

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

JGI | Jamie Grill | Getty Images

Financial statements are essential for every company. They provide insight into the health of a company, as well as information on assets, liability, income and cash flow.

Related: 8 Factors That Determine the Financial Health of a Business

And the more transparent you can be with your finances, the better off you'll be in the long run. Financial statements can help you get funding and loans, as well as prepare for the future. It may sound like a daunting task, so to get started, break down the process into stages.

First, create a balance sheet. A balance sheet will show you where your business stands financially, and the different forms of assets and liabilities you currently have. After you've sorted that out, move on to your income statement and cash flow. Break down cash flow into operating, investing and financing activities to see where your money's coming from.

Related: What Exactly Is Your Income Statement Telling You?

Still having trouble? No need to worry. Check out Business Backer's infographic for a step-by-step guide to creating a financial statement for your business.

Rose Leadem is a freelance writer for Entrepreneur.com. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Starting a Business

He Built a $100 Million Brand in Menswear — Now He's Taking On Baby Monitors After a Scary Wake-Up Call

Kevin Lavelle of Harbor proves that success in entrepreneurship comes with solving the problems you face yourself.

Business News

American Eagle Stock Sees a 25% Surge Following Sydney Sweeney's Controversial 'Great Jeans' Ad Campaign

American Eagle saw its stock jump 25% after its earnings call on Wednesday.

Leadership

Your Team Doesn't Trust You — These 5 Leadership Habits Are to Blame

Trust isn't a soft value — it's a measurable driver of performance and retention.

Business News

Gold Prices Are Higher Than Ever. Here's How Much a Costco Gold Bar Purchased in 2024 Is Worth Today.

A one-ounce Costco bar is worth $870 more now than it was a year ago.