Real-world examples of comparative balance sheets that actually teach you something
Simple examples of comparative balance sheets for a small business
When people ask for examples of comparative balance sheets, they’re usually looking for something more practical than a textbook definition. So let’s start with a very simple, two‑year example of a small service company, Brightline Consulting, as of December 31, 2023 and 2024.
Brightline Consulting – Comparative Balance Sheets (USD)
_As of December 31, 2024 and 2023_
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | 85,000 | 40,000 |
| Accounts receivable | 95,000 | 60,000 |
| Prepaid expenses | 10,000 | 8,000 |
| Property and equipment, net | 180,000 | 150,000 |
| Total assets | 370,000 | 258,000 |
| Liabilities and Equity | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts payable | 55,000 | 30,000 |
| Short‑term bank loan | 40,000 | 20,000 |
| Long‑term debt | 90,000 | 70,000 |
| Total liabilities | 185,000 | 120,000 |
| Owner’s capital | 150,000 | 110,000 |
| Retained earnings | 35,000 | 28,000 |
| Total equity | 185,000 | 138,000 |
| Total liab. and equity | 370,000 | 258,000 |
This is one of the cleanest examples of examples of comparative balance sheets for beginners:
- You can instantly see growth in total assets from 258k to 370k.
- Debt has increased, but so has equity.
- Cash more than doubled, which might signal stronger collections or new financing.
The power of this example of a comparative balance sheet is not the format—it’s the story: Brightline is expanding, taking on more debt, but also building equity.
Best examples of comparative balance sheets with vertical and horizontal analysis
Some of the best examples of comparative balance sheets add two extra layers:
- Horizontal analysis: year‑over‑year dollar and percentage changes.
- Vertical analysis: each line item as a percentage of total assets.
Let’s expand the Brightline example to show horizontal changes.
Brightline Consulting – Horizontal Analysis (2024 vs 2023)
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 | Change ($) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | 85,000 | 40,000 | 45,000 | 112.5% |
| Accounts receivable | 95,000 | 60,000 | 35,000 | 58.3% |
| Property & equipment, net | 180,000 | 150,000 | 30,000 | 20.0% |
| Total assets | 370,000 | 258,000 | 112,000 | 43.4% |
Horizontal data turns this into one of the more insightful examples of comparative balance sheets, because now you can ask sharper questions:
- Is the 112.5% jump in cash driven by profits, new loans, or delayed investments?
- Are receivables growing faster than sales, hinting at slower collections?
If you’re building your own template, using this style gives you a better example of how analysts actually work with comparative financial statements.
For a real‑world reference on how horizontal and vertical analysis are taught, see the free accounting materials from the MIT OpenCourseWare accounting courses, which walk through similar comparative layouts.
Real examples of comparative balance sheets from public companies
If you want real examples of comparative balance sheets, public-company filings are your best friend. In the U.S., companies file with the SEC, and their balance sheets usually show two years side by side.
You can see this in action by browsing 10‑K filings in the SEC’s EDGAR database at sec.gov. These are some of the best examples because they show:
- How large companies separate current and noncurrent items
- How they disclose items like goodwill, deferred tax assets, and lease liabilities
- How comparative balance sheets tie into the statement of cash flows and equity
Example of a tech company style comparative balance sheet
Consider a hypothetical layout inspired by how big tech firms report (structure loosely modeled on common 10‑K formats):
CloudWave Inc. – Consolidated Comparative Balance Sheets (USD in millions)
_As of December 31, 2024 and 2023_
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | 9,800 | 7,200 |
| Short‑term investments | 3,500 | 4,000 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 5,600 | 4,900 |
| Deferred contract costs | 1,100 | 950 |
| Other current assets | 900 | 750 |
| Total current assets | 20,900 | 17,800 |
| Property and equipment, net | 6,700 | 6,100 |
| Operating lease right‑of‑use assets | 3,200 | 3,500 |
| Goodwill | 12,400 | 11,000 |
| Intangible assets, net | 4,300 | 3,900 |
| Other noncurrent assets | 2,000 | 1,700 |
| Total assets | 49,500 | 44,000 |
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts payable | 3,400 | 2,900 |
| Accrued expenses | 4,100 | 3,600 |
| Current portion of long‑term debt | 1,200 | 1,100 |
| Deferred revenue, current | 6,300 | 5,700 |
| Total current liabilities | 15,000 | 13,300 |
| Long‑term debt | 9,500 | 8,900 |
| Operating lease liabilities | 3,100 | 3,300 |
| Deferred income taxes | 1,400 | 1,200 |
| Other noncurrent liabilities | 2,000 | 1,800 |
| Total liabilities | 31,000 | 28,500 |
| Common stock and APIC | 5,500 | 5,100 |
| Retained earnings | 12,000 | 10,000 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive inc. | 1,000 | 400 |
| Treasury stock | (0) | (0) |
| Total equity | 18,500 | 15,500 |
| Total liab. and equity | 49,500 | 44,000 |
Here, the comparative view immediately shows:
- Total assets up ~12.5% year over year
- Goodwill and intangibles rising, signaling acquisitions
- Equity growing faster than debt, which investors usually like
This is a strong example of how modern tech companies present comparative balance sheets in 2024–2025: multiple asset categories, lease accounting under ASC 842, and clear separation of current vs noncurrent items.
If you want more real examples, many universities publish sample financial statements. For instance, the Harvard Business School Online blog often breaks down public-company financials and links to actual filings.
Examples of comparative balance sheets for a manufacturer
Service and tech companies are asset‑light. To balance that out, let’s look at an example of a manufacturing company balance sheet, where inventory and plant dominate.
Midwest Fabricators LLC – Comparative Balance Sheets (USD)
_As of June 30, 2024 and 2023_
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | 120,000 | 90,000 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 260,000 | 210,000 |
| Inventory | 510,000 | 430,000 |
| Other current assets | 35,000 | 25,000 |
| Total current assets | 925,000 | 755,000 |
| Property, plant & equipment | 1,900,000 | 1,700,000 |
| Less: accumulated depreciation | (520,000) | (460,000) |
| PP&E, net | 1,380,000 | 1,240,000 |
| Total assets | 2,305,000 | 1,995,000 |
| Liabilities and Equity | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts payable | 290,000 | 230,000 |
| Accrued wages | 80,000 | 70,000 |
| Current portion of term loan | 110,000 | 90,000 |
| Total current liabilities | 480,000 | 390,000 |
| Term loan, net of current | 620,000 | 540,000 |
| Other noncurrent liabilities | 95,000 | 80,000 |
| Total liabilities | 1,195,000 | 1,010,000 |
| Members’ capital | 900,000 | 850,000 |
| Retained earnings | 210,000 | 135,000 |
| Total equity | 1,110,000 | 985,000 |
| Total liab. and equity | 2,305,000 | 1,995,000 |
Why is this one of the more useful examples of comparative balance sheets for 2024–2025?
- Inventory growth is visible and can be compared against sales trends.
- Term loan balances show how leverage is changing.
- Depreciation and PP&E growth hint at capital expenditure strategy.
Manufacturers are also where supply chain and inflation trends show up first. Between 2022 and 2024, many U.S. manufacturers saw inventory levels spike as they over‑ordered during supply disruptions, then normalized. Comparative balance sheets like this are exactly how lenders and private equity firms spot those shifts.
Nonprofit and government-style examples of comparative balance sheets
Not all entities use the exact same labels, but the logic is similar. If you’re looking for examples of comparative balance sheets beyond the corporate world, nonprofits and governments provide good models.
Example of a nonprofit statement of financial position
Nonprofits often use “statement of financial position” instead of “balance sheet,” but the structure is comparable. Here’s a simple example of a two‑year presentation:
HopeCare Foundation – Comparative Statements of Financial Position (USD)
_As of December 31, 2024 and 2023_
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | 420,000 | 380,000 |
| Contributions receivable | 260,000 | 210,000 |
| Grants receivable | 180,000 | 150,000 |
| Investments | 750,000 | 680,000 |
| Property and equipment, net | 600,000 | 620,000 |
| Total assets | 2,210,000 | 2,040,000 |
| Liabilities and Net Assets | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 190,000 | 175,000 |
| Deferred grant revenue | 140,000 | 120,000 |
| Total liabilities | 330,000 | 295,000 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | 1,200,000 | 1,120,000 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | 680,000 | 625,000 |
| Total net assets | 1,880,000 | 1,745,000 |
| Total liab. and net assets | 2,210,000 | 2,040,000 |
You’ll find real examples of comparative balance sheets for nonprofits in audited financials posted on many .org sites. For authoritative guidance, the FASB’s Not‑for‑Profit resource page and materials from the AICPA outline common formats and disclosure expectations.
Government-style examples
Government entities in the U.S. follow GASB standards, but they still publish comparative statements of net position that function like balance sheets. Many state and local governments include two‑year comparative columns in their annual comprehensive financial reports.
For instance, you can see examples of government comparative statements through links and references provided by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), which often summarizes federal financial reporting practices.
How 2024–2025 trends show up in examples of comparative balance sheets
If your examples of comparative balance sheets ignore current trends, they feel dated fast. A few 2024–2025 themes that are visibly shaping real examples:
Higher interest rates
The rate hikes that started in 2022 still echo in 2024–2025. Comparative balance sheets show:
- Slower growth in new long‑term debt
- Higher cash balances at companies prioritizing liquidity
- Reclassification of some variable‑rate debt as companies refinance
Lease accounting (ASC 842)
Right‑of‑use assets and lease liabilities now sit prominently on many balance sheets. Comparing 2023 vs 2024 helps you see:
- New leases added or terminated
- Shifts from operating leases to owned assets (PP&E)
Digital and intangible assets
Even mid‑market companies increasingly show software, customer lists, and other intangibles. In the best examples of comparative balance sheets, these lines grow alongside M&A and internal development spending, especially in tech and healthcare.
For a broader context on how financial reporting evolves with economic conditions, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) publishes data and analysis on business investment trends that ultimately feed into corporate balance sheets.
Practical tips for building your own examples of comparative balance sheets
If you’re designing templates or teaching materials, here are patterns worth copying from the best examples of comparative balance sheets we’ve walked through:
- Always use consistent line items between years so comparisons are meaningful.
- Separate current vs noncurrent assets and liabilities; lenders care about short‑term liquidity.
- Include at least two years side by side; three years is even better for trend spotting.
- Add a third column for change (amount or percentage) when you’re training analysts or presenting to management.
- Keep subtotals like total current assets, total liabilities, and total equity bold and aligned.
If you need a teaching‑friendly example of a comparative balance sheet, combining the Brightline and Midwest layouts gives you both service and manufacturing perspectives in one package.
FAQ: examples of comparative balance sheets
Q1. What are some good examples of comparative balance sheets for students?
Good teaching examples include a simple two‑year small business balance sheet, a manufacturing company with inventory and PP&E, and a nonprofit statement of financial position. Blending those three gives students a clear view of how different sectors present similar information.
Q2. Where can I find real examples of comparative balance sheets from public companies?
Use the SEC’s EDGAR system at sec.gov and open any large company’s latest Form 10‑K. The consolidated balance sheet will almost always present two years side by side. Those are some of the best examples because they’re prepared under U.S. GAAP and audited.
Q3. What’s an example of a red flag you can spot using comparative balance sheets?
One common red flag is accounts receivable growing much faster than revenue over two or three years. In comparative balance sheets, that shows up as a rising receivables line without matching growth in cash or retained earnings, hinting at collection problems or aggressive revenue recognition.
Q4. How many years should I include in a comparative balance sheet?
Two years is the minimum for basic comparison. Many public companies provide two years on the face of the balance sheet and three years on the income statement. For internal management reporting, three to five years of comparative balance sheets in a dashboard or workbook gives a stronger sense of long‑term trends.
Q5. Are there examples of comparative balance sheets under IFRS that differ from U.S. GAAP?
Yes. IFRS‑based comparative balance sheets sometimes use slightly different terminology (for example, “statement of financial position"), and classification rules can vary. But the side‑by‑side comparative idea is the same. Large IFRS reporters in Europe and elsewhere publish their annual reports online, and those provide useful international examples of comparative balance sheets.
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