1.1 The traditional approach to examining the financial status of a company is to look at the balance sheet and the profit and loss account. Such information is usually publicly available, it is certified by the auditors as having been drawn up according to relevant accounting standards and it is generally presumed to communicate reliable information.

1.2 In the case of a manufacturing or trading company the profit and loss account records purchases and sales and the balance sheet will include a valuation of stock in hand, since it is anticipated that this will give rise to future sales income. Working capital is required because products have to be manufactured or purchased before they can be sold. Profit is realized when the product is sold for more than it cost to buy it or to make it.