Borrowers are not created equal – Use financial statement reconciliations to compare diverse customers

Description

Abstract: “Normalizing” reconciliations to the income statement and balance sheet is necessary when comparing diverse borrowers. A thorough knowledge of accounting helps lenders prepare dissimilar customers’ financial statements for apples-to-apples comparisons and to aid in underwriting decisions. This article offers a basic explanation of this accounting tactic, taking into account varied accounting methods, one-time events and related-party transactions.