synthesizing-financial-statements

name	synthesizing-financial-statements
description	Analyzes 10-K/10-Q filings to extract key metrics, identify trends, and create structured YoY comparisons. Use when analyzing SEC filings, comparing financial statements, or tracking company financial trends.
tags	["synthesis","accounting"]
metadata	{"author":"casemark","practice_areas":["Financial Reporting","Audit","Accounting"],"document_types":["Synthesis Report"],"skill_modes":["Synthesis"]}

Synthesizing Financial Statements

When To Use

• Comparing financial performance across two or more fiscal periods from 10-K or 10-Q filings
• Building a consolidated view of revenue, expenses, margins, and cash flow from SEC filings
• Preparing YoY or QoQ trend analysis for investment memos, audit workpapers, or board presentations
• Extracting key metrics from financial statements when the source data spans multiple documents or exhibits
• Identifying material changes, restatements, or reclassifications between reporting periods

Inputs To Gather

• SEC filings: 10-K (annual) and/or 10-Q (quarterly) for each period under comparison — confirm the filing date and amendment status (e.g., 10-K/A)
• Specific statements needed: Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, and statement of stockholders' equity
• Period scope: Define the comparison window (e.g., FY2023 vs. FY2024, or Q3 2024 vs. Q3 2025)
• Segment or entity scope: Whether analysis covers consolidated results only or includes segment-level breakdowns (check Item 7 / MD&A for segment reporting)
• Accounting standards: Confirm GAAP vs. IFRS basis; note any changes in accounting policies disclosed in the footnotes (ASC 606 adoption, lease standard changes, etc.)
• Non-GAAP metrics: Identify whether the user needs adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, or other non-GAAP measures reported in earnings releases or MD&A

Workflow

1. Verify filing completeness

   • Confirm each filing is the final version (check for /A amendments on EDGAR)
   • Confirm fiscal year-end date — not all companies use Dec 31
   • Note the auditor's opinion type (unqualified, qualified, adverse, disclaimer) from the audit report in the 10-K

2. Extract core financial data

   • Pull line items from each of the three primary statements (income, balance sheet, cash flow)
   • Record amounts exactly as stated; do not round until the output stage
   • Capture reported segment data if segment-level analysis is in scope
   • Extract non-GAAP reconciliation tables from MD&A or earnings supplements when requested

3. Normalize and align

   • Map line items across periods — watch for reclassifications (e.g., "Cost of revenue" renamed to "Cost of goods sold")
   • Convert all figures to a consistent unit (thousands, millions, or full dollars) — state the unit clearly
   • Align fiscal periods: if comparing companies with different fiscal year-ends, note the date mismatch explicitly
   • Flag any restatements or prior-period adjustments disclosed in the footnotes [VERIFY]

4. Compute comparative metrics

   • Calculate YoY or QoQ dollar change and percentage change for each line item
   • Derive key ratios: gross margin, operating margin, net margin, current ratio, debt-to-equity, return on equity, free cash flow conversion
   • Identify the top 3–5 drivers of material changes using MD&A commentary and footnote disclosures
   • Flag items with >10% period-over-period change for narrative explanation

5. Structure the synthesis report

   • Header: Company name, CIK, ticker, periods compared, filing types, currency, unit of measure
   • Executive summary: 3–5 bullet narrative of the most significant trends and changes
   • Comparative tables: Side-by-side income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow with change columns
   • Key ratios table: Margin, liquidity, leverage, and efficiency ratios for each period
   • Material items narrative: Explanation of significant variances, citing specific footnote or MD&A references
   • Segment breakdown (if applicable): Revenue and operating income by segment with change analysis
   • Flags and open items: Any [VERIFY] markers, data gaps, or items requiring human review

Output

The synthesis report should include:

• Comparative financial tables with absolute and percentage changes, clearly labeled with periods and units
• Ratio dashboard covering profitability, liquidity, solvency, and efficiency metrics
• Variance narrative explaining material changes with citations to specific filing sections (e.g., "Per Note 4 to the FY2024 10-K...")
• [VERIFY] flags on any figures that could not be confirmed, involved estimates, or depend on accounting policy elections that vary by jurisdiction or standard [VERIFY]
• Scope limitations section noting any excluded items, data gaps, or assumptions made during normalization

Quality Checks

• All extracted figures trace directly to a specific page or exhibit in the source filing — no unsourced numbers
• Dollar changes and percentage changes are arithmetically correct (spot-check at least 5 line items)
• Balance sheet equation holds for every period presented
• Net income on the income statement reconciles to the starting line of the cash flow statement
• Non-GAAP figures tie back to the company's own reconciliation tables — do not create independent non-GAAP adjustments
• Fiscal period labels are accurate (e.g., do not label a 10-Q figure as annual)
• Any change in accounting policy or restatement is called out in the variance narrative, not buried in a footnote
• Report does not present inferred or estimated data as confirmed — all assumptions are explicitly marked