Pro Forma Statements

Similar to a pro forma income statement, the pro forma balance sheet is a projection of a balance sheet. While the percentage-of-sales method could be used for the balance sheet as well, a more sophisticated and accurate approach would be to analyze each line of the balance sheet. A properly forecasted balance sheet uses best judgement to predict future sales and expenses. For example, our company may need to hold a certain amount of cash to meet basic expenses. Or a company at capacity might need to add assets to continue sales growth. A common size balance sheet, which shows each balance sheet item as a percentage of total assets, may help guide us in making these decisions. This information enables an individually tailored and more accurately forecasted balance sheet.

Pet Product's Forever Inc. has the following balance sheet. They know certain things about their next year which will play a role in determining the pro forma balance sheet.

Pet Products Forever has certain financial goals and knowledge about the upcoming year.

1. From our pro forma income statement, we expect net earnings of $11 thousand on sales growth of 10%.
2. The company wants to hold at least $20 thousand in cash.
3. The company's debt (long-term and notes payable) will remain the same.
4. No new common stock will be issued (common stock will remain the same). $4 thousand will be paid out in dividends to the shareholders.
5. Accounts receivable should scale with sales.
6. The company has determined that the current level of inventory is too low. They would like to hold $13 thousand in inventory.
7. Accounts payable should scale with sales.

Given this information we construct the following balance sheet.

Note that retained earnings has increased by our earnings less our dividends paid ($11 thousand − $4 thousand = $7 thousand). Since accounts receivable and payable both scale with sales, and sales increased by 10%, each of these has increased by 10% as well.

After our first pass, our balance sheet doesn't balance! If our total assets are larger than our total liabilities and equity, we need to raise money somehow, either by increasing financing (that is, borrowing more, reducing dividends, or issuing equity) or reducing assets. Smaller total assets means returning cash to our investors (by reducing debt or increasing dividend payout) or parking the cash on our balance sheet (in cash or other short term investments).

Since after the first pass the total assets are smaller, we can choose to increase cash held to balance the books.