A financial statement is a formal record of the financial activities and position of a business, person, or other entity. It provides an overview of a business’s financial condition in both short and long term. Typically, a financial statement is structured into three key reports: the income statement, the balance sheet, and the cash flow statement.

1. **Income Statement (Profit and Loss Statement):** This report provides a summary of a company’s revenues and expenses over a specific period, usually a fiscal quarter or year. It starts with the sales figures, from which it subtracts the costs of doing business, including the cost of goods sold, operating expenses, tax expenses, and interest expenses, to calculate the net profit or loss. This statement is crucial for assessing the company’s profitability and operational efficiency.

2. **Balance Sheet:** The balance sheet offers a snapshot of a company’s financial position at a specific point in time. It lists all of the company’s assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity. Assets, both current and fixed, are on one side, and liabilities and equity (like issued share capital and retained earnings) are on the other. This statement provides valuable insights into what the company owns and owes, as well as the amount invested by shareholders.

3. **Cash Flow Statement:** This statement breaks down the cash inflows and outflows from three activities: operating, investing, and financing. The cash flow statement is essential for understanding the liquidity and long-term solvency of a business. It shows how well a company manages its cash position, meaning how well the company generates cash to pay its debt obligations and fund its operating expenses.

Together, these three statements provide a comprehensive picture of a company’s financial health. They are used by internal management to make business decisions, as well as by investors, creditors, and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial status and growth potential. Understanding these statements is crucial for anyone involved in business, from managers and investors to stakeholders and regulatory bodies.