Accounting Ratios – Meaning and Definition

The ratios are used to the analysis of the two or more any type of related items and express them in arithmetic expression but Accounting Ratios are used to analyze the only related financial items.

What is Accounting Ratio? 

“Accounting Ratios” is the sub-group of the ratio, These are used by accountants or other related parties to analyzing the interdependent Financial items of the financial statement of the business.  Accounting ratios are used to know the profitability, efficiency and financial position of the company. 

Definition of the Accounting Ratios:

“The term accounting ratio is used to describe significant relationships which exist between figures shown in a Balance Sheet, in a Statement of Profit and Loss, In a budgetary control system or in any part of the accounting organisation.”

– J. Betty

Classification or Types of Accounting Ratios:

The Accounting Ratio can be classified into the four following types: –

1. Liquidity Ratios
2. Solvency Ratios
3. Activity or Performance Ratios
4. Profitability Ratios

1. Liquidity Ratios:

Liquidity refers to the capacity of the business to pay its short term liability as and when it becomes due. So, The liquidity Ratios are used to know the company’s capacity to pay its short term liabilities. The high liquidity ratio ensures that the company is in a good position to meet its financial obligation and vice versa. 

To pay the short term liabilities means paid the total due amount of short term liabilities by realising amount from the company’s short term assets. 

Ratios calculated to check the liquidity of the business:

1. Current Ratio:

The current ratio is used to compare the current assets with current liabilities of the business. 

Formula to calculate Current Ratio:

2. Quick or liquid Ratio

The Quick or liquid Ratio is used to compare the Liquid assets with current liabilities of the business. 

Formula to calculate Quick or liquid Ratio :

3. Absolute liquid or cash Ratio:

The Absolute liquid or cash ratio is used to compare the Absolute liquid assets with current liabilities of the business. 

Formula to calculate Absolute liquid or cash Ratio:

2. Solvency Ratios:

Solvency refers to the capacity of the business to pay its long term liability as and when it becomes due. So, The Solvency Ratios are used to know the company’s capacity to pay its long term liabilities. 

To pay the long term liabilities means paid the total due amount of long term liabilities by realising amount from the company’s total assets. 

Ratios calculated to check the liquidity of the business:

1. Debt to Equity Ratio:

The Debt to Equity ratio is used to compare the Equity (i.e.shareholder’s funds) with debts (i.e. outsider’s liabilities) of the business. 

Formula to Calculate Debt to Equity Ratio:

2. Total Assets to Debt Ratio

The Total Assets to Debt ratio is used to compare the Total assets with debts (i.e. outsider’s liabilities) of the business. 

Formula to Calculate Total Assets to Debt Ratio:

3. Proprietary Ratio:

The Proprietary ratio is used to compare the Proprietors’ Funds, Equity or shareholder’s funds with Total assets of the business. 

Formula to calculate Absolute liquid or cash Ratio:

4. Interest Coverage Ratio:

The Interest Coverage ratio is used to compare the Net profit before interest and Tax with interest on long terms debts of the business. 

Formula to calculate Absolute liquid or cash Ratio:

We will get ratio in times. 

3. Activity or Performance Ratios:

Activity ratio is used to check out the way of the usage of resources of the enterprises. It gets to know to related parties the actual performance of the business. It is also known as performance or turnover ratio. 

Ratios calculated to check the activity or performance of the business:

1. Inventory Turnover Ratio:

The Inventory Turnover Ratio is used to know the relationship between the cost of goods sold and average inventory carries during the year of the business. 

Formula to Calculate Debt to Equity Ratio:

We will get ratio in times. 

Now the question is how to calculate the cost of goods sold:

Total Revenue from an operation – Gross Profit

or

Total Revenue from an operation + Gross Loss

Or 

Opening Inventory + Net Purchase + Direct Expenses – Closing Inventory

Now, the question is how to calculate the Average Inventory:

2. Trade Receivable Turnover Ratio:

The Inventory Turnover Ratio is used to know the relationship between the Net Credit Sales and Average Trade Receivables. 

Formula to Calculate Trade Receivable Turnover Ratio:

We will get ratio in times. 

Now the question is how to calculate the Net Credit Revenue from Operations

Credit Revenue from Operations – Credit Sale Returns

Now, the question is how to calculate the Average Inventory:

Trade Receivables Includes: – Sundry Debtors and Bills Receivables

Formula to Calculate Debt Collection Period:

3. Trade Payables Turnover Ratio:

The Inventory Turnover Ratio is used to know the relationship between the Net Credit Purchases and Average Trade Payables. 

Formula to Calculate Trade Payables Turnover Ratio:

We will get ratio in times. 

Now the question is how to calculate the Net Credit Purchases

Credit Purchases – Credit Purchases Returns

Now, the question is how to calculate the Average Inventory:

Trade Receivables Includes: – Sundry Debtors and Bills Receivables

Formula to Calculate Average Payment Period:

4. Working Capital Turnover Ratio:

The Working Capital Turnover Ratio is used to know the relationship between the working capital and total Revenue from an operation.

Formula to calculate Working Capital Turnover Ratio:

OR 

We will get ratio in times. 

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References: –

1. Class +2 Accountancy by Sultan Chand & Sons (P) Ltd.