TRIAL BALANCE
Assets
Cash$264.20
Bank4,728.50
Accounts Receivable6,270.00
Inventory (Jan. 1)7,860.00
Real Estate10,000.00
Furniture and Fixtures5,000.00
Liabilities
Mortgage Payable $3,000.00
Bills Payable 5,000.00
Accounts Payable 6,120.00
Capital Stock 20,000.00
Profit and Loss
Advertising475.00
Salesmen's Salaries300.00
Traveling Expenses189.70
General Expense74.00
Interest and Discount22.60
Building Maintenance37.00
Taxes and Insurance42.00
Salaries525.00
Trading
Purchases5,500.00
In-Freight and Cartage96.20
Sales 7,219.00
41,361.6041,361.60

If the accounts in this trial balance were listed without regard to the groups in which they belong, it would merely show that the ledger balances. In its present form, it gives at a glance much valuable information. Total expenses and expenses of each class are readily ascertained, sales are shown, and expenses can be compared with sales. With the exception that it does not show the changes in the account of the inventory, this trial balance exhibits the condition of the business.

Supposing that an inventory is taken, the following statements are quickly prepared.

BALANCE SHEET
Assets
Cash$264.20
Bank4,728.50
Accounts Receivable6,270.00
Inventory (Feb. 1)7,995.00
Real Estate10,000.00
Furniture and Fixtures5,000.00
Liabilities
Mortgage Payable $3,000.00
Bills Payable 5,000.00
Accounts Payable 6,120.00
Capital Stock 20,000.00
Surplus 137.70
34,257.7034,257.70
TRADING STATEMENT
Inventory (Jan. 1)7,860.00
Purchases5,500.00
In-Freight96.20
13,456.20
Less Inventory (Feb. 1)7,995.00
5,461.20
Sales 7,219.00
Gross Profit1,757.80
7,219.007,219.00
PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT
Gross Profit $1,757.80
Advertising$475.00
Salesmen's Salaries300.00
Traveling Expenses189.70
General Expense74.00
Interest and Discount 22.60
Building Maintenance37.00
Taxes and Insurance42.00
Salaries525.00
Net Profits137.70
1,780.401,780.40

The facts that sales were $7,219.00, or that the expense for salesmen's salaries was $300.00 mean nothing in themselves. It is only when compared that they exhibit vital facts. If we find that last month's sales were $8,400.00 and salesmen's salaries the same as this month, we know at once that our present selling cost is proportionately higher than during the preceding period.

The following trial balance should be compared with the preceding and the difference in their values, in respect to the information given, carefully noted. The accounts in this trial balance are arranged in the order in which they were found in the ledger.

TRIAL BALANCE
Dr.Cr.
Capital Stock $30,000.00
Sales 45,411.40
Accounts Receivable$7,190.00
Accounts Payable 2,720.00
General Expense727.00
Salesmen's Salaries3,000.00
Salaries, General3,600.00
Interest and Discount 126.70
Returns and Allowances942.20
Inventory9,687.00
Purchases26,250.00
In-Freight$396.40
Bank6,470.00
Traveling Expense1,759.00
Taxes and Insurance236.50
Real Estate25,000.00
Fixtures3,000.00
Surplus 10,000.00
88,258.1088,258.10

Fig. 15-a. Working Balance Sheet

WORKING BALANCE SHEET