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The Daily Insight Hub

Why is profit shown on the liability side of balance sheet?

Author

Andrew Campbell

Updated on January 01, 2026

Profit’s Effect on the Balance Sheet The profit or net income belongs to the owner of a sole proprietorship or to the stockholders of a corporation. If a company prepares its balance sheet in the account form, it means that the assets are presented on the left side or debit side.

Why assets and liabilities are equal in balance sheet?

The assets on the balance sheet consist of what a company owns or will receive in the future and which are measurable. Liabilities are what a company owes, such as taxes, payables, salaries, and debt. For the balance sheet to balance, total assets should equal the total of liabilities and shareholders’ equity.

Where does profit go in balance sheet?

Any profits not paid out as dividends are shown in the retained profit column on the balance sheet. The amount shown as cash or at the bank under current assets on the balance sheet will be determined in part by the income and expenses recorded in the P&L.

What goes on left and right of balance sheet?

Balance Sheets can be laid-out either horizontally or vertically. In a horizontal set up, the monetary value of left side is equal to the monetary value of right side. On the left side of the balance sheet, companies list their assets. On the right side, they list their liabilities and shareholders’ equity.

What goes on right side of balance sheet?

Total liabilities and owners’ equity are totaled at the bottom of the right side of the balance sheet. Remember —the left side of your balance sheet (assets) must equal the right side (liabilities + owners’ equity). If not, check your math or talk to your accountant.

What exactly goes on a balance sheet?

Definition: Balance Sheet is the financial statement of a company which includes assets, liabilities, equity capital, total debt, etc. at a point in time. Balance sheet includes assets on one side, and liabilities on the other.

What can the balance sheet tell you?

A balance sheet is a summary of all of your business assets (what the business owns) and liabilities (what the business owes). At any particular moment, it shows you how much money you would have left over if you sold all your assets and paid off all your debts (i.e. it also shows ‘owner’s equity’).