Financial Statements [A Review for Physicians]
By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA, CMP™
The Net Income [Profit-and-Loss Statement] Statement [NIS] is only one of four financial statements.
The four consolidated statements are: balance sheet, net-income, cash flow and retained earnings.
The NIS reflects the following in a medical practice or healthcare business entity:
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Income from patient services, plus revenue from research grants, educational programs, gift and cafeteria sales, office space and parking lot rental, and investment income; and,
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Expenses including general overhead, non-operating expenses like salaries and wages, fringe benefits, supplies, interest, professional fees, bad debts, depreciation, and amortization.
Increases in working capital, current assets, the retirement of debt, and investment in new fixed assets are not considered in the Net Income Statement [NIS].
Assessment of Accounting Differences
Definitional differences do occur, however, in the income statement.
For example, the NIS may report physician compensation and benefits in the expense category, during a period of time.
Small physician practices, on the other hand, may report income and expenses on a “cash accounting” basis reflecting income actually received and expenses actually paid.
The “accrual method” of accounting records expenses when they are incurred and income when earned, not when paid or received as in the cash method.
The cash method is easier, but the accrual method is more accurate and most healthcare entities use this method. Accrual accounting will increase going forward because of the nature of discounted contracts, capitated contracts, or other fixed reimbursement arrangements.
Conclusion
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