A useful addition to this discussion is that while the balance sheet formula (Assets = Liabilities + Equity) looks straightforward on paper, maintaining its accuracy in modern organizations is increasingly complex.
Today, financial data flows from multiple sources — ERPs, payment gateways, banking systems, billing platforms, and settlement systems. If these systems are not properly reconciled, discrepancies can silently affect accounts receivable, payable balances, and even the reported cash position.
In practice, the reliability of a balance sheet depends not only on accounting principles but also on how well an organization validates andreconciles financial data across systems before it reaches the general ledger.
This operational side of finance is often invisible in textbooks but is critical for ensuring that financial statements truly reflect the company’s position.
