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The Daily Insight Hub

How does one determine if the accounting equation is in balance?

Author

William Jenkins

Updated on January 01, 2026

If a company keeps accurate records using the double-entry system, the accounting equation will always be “in balance,” meaning the left side of the equation will be equal to the right side. The balance is maintained because every business transaction affects at least two of a company’s accounts.

Which financial statement proves that the accounting equation is in balance?

balance sheet
Remember, the balance sheet proves the accounting equation (ASSETS = LIABILITIES + EQUITY) and must always be in balance.

Does the accounting equation stay in balance after every transaction?

The accounting equation is most often stated as: Assets + Liabilities = Owner’s Equity. After each transaction, the accounting equation must remain in balance. When an account on one side of the accounting equation is increased, there must also be an increase on the other side to keep the equation in balance.

What is the accounting equation in personal accounting?

Assets = Liabilities + Shareholder’s Equity Learn to read a balance sheet and other financial statements with CFI’s reading financial statements course! Below are some examples of items that fall under each section: Assets: Cash, They are commonly used to measure the liquidity of a Accounts Receivable.

How do you balance a balance sheet?

Add Total Liabilities to Total Shareholders’ Equity and Compare to Assets. To ensure the balance sheet is balanced, it will be necessary to compare total assets against total liabilities plus equity. To do this, you’ll need to add liabilities and shareholders’ equity together.

What appears on a balance sheet?

A balance sheet is a financial statement that reports a company’s assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity. The balance sheet is a snapshot, representing the state of a company’s finances (what it owns and owes) as of the date of publication.

What is an abnormal balance?

Abnormal Balance Definition. A general ledger account balance is abnormal when the reported balance does not comply with the normal debit or credit balance established in the general ledger chart of accounts.

Why would a balance sheet not balance?

As the assets increase, the equity increases. Likewise, if you have a decrease in assets or an increase in liabilities, the equity decreases. If this equity calculation does not produce the difference between your assets and liabilities, your balance sheet will not balance.

What is an abnormal balance in a capital account?

a deficiency in amount; i.e., in this chapter, a deficit balance in the capital. account is an abnormal, or a debit, balance. liquidation. to settle the accounts and distribute the assets of a business.

After each transaction, the accounting equation must remain in balance. When two asset accounts are changed in a transaction, there must be an increase and a decrease. Asset accounts are listed on the right side of the accounting equation.

The balance sheet displays the company’s total assets and how the assets are financed, either through either debt or equity. It can also be referred to as a statement of net worth or a statement of financial position. The balance sheet is based on the fundamental equation: Assets = Liabilities + Equity.

How is the accounting equation kept in balance?

The accounting equation used in business must always be kept in balance — the assets on one side of the equation must equal the claims against the assets on the other side: Assets = Liabilities + Owners’ equity These claims arise from credit extended to the business…

When do you not use the balance sheet equation?

The accounting equation is also called the balance sheet equation. If your business uses single-entry accounting, you do not use the balance sheet equation. Why? Well, the accounting equation shows a balance between two sides of your general ledger. Single-entry accounting does not require a balance on both sides of the general ledger.

Where are the assets and liabilities shown in an accounting equation?

The company’s assets are shown on the left side of the equation, and the liabilities and equity (the total claims to those assets) are shown on the right side. The equation illustrates that all of a company’s resources (assets) are provided by their creditors or their owners ( through liabilities and equity).

Where do you find the three components of the accounting equation?

All three components of the accounting equation appear in the balance sheet, which reveals the financial position of a business at any given point in time.