The balance sheet is prepared to reveal the financial position of a business at a specific point in time. It shows the assets, liabilities, and equity of the business. The assets are what the business owns, such as property, inventory, and cash. The liabilities are what the business owes, such as loans and accounts payable. The equity represents the owners' claims to the assets of the business. The balance sheet helps stakeholders understand the financial health of the business and its ability to pay off its debts. It does not show the result of the operations for the period under review, the arithmetical accuracy of the ledger accounts, or the accruals and payments.