Learning Exercise

Calculating Your Own Net Worth

This simple exercise allows students who have been exposed to financial terms to gain a deeper understanding by applying those to their own financial situation

Course: Introduction to Business; Financial Accounting

Material:: Basic Financial Statements
Date last modified:: April 29, 2004
Created by:: Michele Fritz
License:

Bookmark

Basic Financial Statements

This is a series of "lectures" that describe the concept of double entry accounting, the balance sheet and the income... see more

Material Type:: Tutorial
Author:: Sharon Garrison, University of Arizona
User Rating:: 5 stars

Exercise

Now that you have learned about the balance sheet, you are going to prepare one for your personal financial situation. The major difference between a balance sheet for a firm and that for an individual is that we refer to the residual value, the equity, as "net worth". Net worth is a true measure of wealth that individuals build up over their lives. (Be forewarned, though, that most college students have a negative net worth!)

Take your time to walk through each line item on the balance sheet, and think about whether that line item is applicable for you. Remember, when we are discussing assets, we are thinking about things (of significant value) that you own. When we discuss liabilities, we are thinking about bills and debts that you owe at this point in time.

When calculating the net worth (or equity) part of the balance sheet, just use the fundamental accounting equation: Assets = Liabilities + Equity. Are you surprised with the results?

Bring your personal balance sheet to class for our discussion. Don't worry, you won't have to reveal any secrets about your financial situation.

Disciplines

Business / Accounting / Financial

Audience

Grade School

Technical Notes

Only relevant technical notes are those required to review the tutorial.

Requirements

Students will need to review the Basic Financial Statements learning object. If you have a textbook which reviews the fundamental accounting statements, such as the Balance Sheet and Income Statement, that would be best.

Topics

Overview of Financial Statements; Introduction to Accounting; Balance Sheet.

Type of Task

Learning Objectives

* Comprehension of the various accounts on the balance sheet.
* Deeper understanding of the fundamental accounting equation Assets = Liabilities + Owners Equity.