What is the 3 statement model of the balance sheet?

Asked by: Maryam Sanford  |  Last update: July 9, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (4 votes)

A 3-statement model is a foundational financial, integrated spreadsheet linking a company’s Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement to project future financial performance. It forces the balance sheet to balance, as net income flows into retained earnings and cash balances update based on cash flow activities.

What is the balance sheet 3 statement model?

A three-statement model combines the three core financial statements (the income statement, the balance sheet, and the cash flow statement) into one fully dynamic model to forecast future results. The model is built by first entering and analyzing historical results.

What are the three steps in the 3S model?

At a high-level, the 3S Process consists of three stages (Story, Strategy, and Solution), which are described in detail in the article. Stage 1: Story in the process is inspired by the Harvard Case Method to provide context for a problem. Stage 2: Strategy uses Design Thinking to produce candidate solutions.

What is the 3 statement approach?

A 3-statement model is a comprehensive financial model that integrates the income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows. It provides a holistic view of a company's financial performance and future projections.

What is the order of the three statement model?

In financial modeling, the “3 statements” refer to the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement. Collectively, these show you a company's revenue, expenses, cash, debt, equity, and cash flow over time, and you can use them to determine why these items have changed.

How the 3 Financial Statements Connect Together

40 related questions found

What are the main 3 financial statements?

The three main financial statements are the Income Statement (profitability over time), the Balance Sheet (assets, liabilities, equity at a point in time), and the Cash Flow Statement (cash movement from operations, investing, and financing activities), which together provide a comprehensive view of a company's financial health and performance. 

What is the meaning of three statements?

The three-statement model links a company's income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow projections together so you can project your future cash position and financial health. Let's break down each statement and explore how they connect to reveal the full story of a company's financial health.

What is the 3 way cashflow model?

A three-way forecast, also known as the 3 financial statements is a financial model combining three key reports into one consolidated forecast. It links your Profit & Loss (income statement), balance sheet and cashflow projections together so you can forecast your future cash position and financial health.

How do three financial statements tie together?

Net Income & Retained Earnings

Net income from the bottom of the income statement links to the balance sheet and cash flow statement. On the balance sheet, it feeds into retained earnings and on the cash flow statement, it is the starting point for the cash from operations section.

How to answer what are the three financial statements?

The income statement illustrates the profitability of a company under accrual accounting rules. The balance sheet shows a company's assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity at a particular point in time. The cash flow statement shows cash movements from operating, investing, and financing activities.

What is the 3-statement template?

What is a 3-statement model template? A 3-statement model template is a tool that simplifies financial forecasting by combining your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement into one dynamic file.

What is a 3 stage model?

Kurt Lewin's model, one of the earliest in change management, breaks change down into three essential stages: Unfreeze, Change and Refreeze.

What is the 3S method?

The 3S method — Sort, Set, and Standardise — is simple, fast, and easy for anyone to implement. Whether you run a manufacturing plant, office, or retail store, these three steps can transform your workspace into a clean, efficient, high-performing environment.

How would you build a 3-statement financial model from scratch?

How to Make a 3 Statement Financial Model (in an easy way)?

  1. Gather financial data: Before starting, collect past financial data: ...
  2. Set up a template: ...
  3. Start with the income statement: ...
  4. Move to the balance sheet: ...
  5. Link the Cash flow statement: ...
  6. Connect all statements: ...
  7. Check for accuracy:

What are the three main parts of a balance sheet?

A company balance sheet has three parts: assets, liabilities, and stockholders' equity. The main categories of assets are usually listed first and are followed by the liabilities. Total assets must equal the sum of total liabilities and stockholders' equity.

What is a balance sheet model?

A balance sheet uses the following formula to calculate a company's financial metrics: Assets = Liabilities + Shareholders' Equity. This is an intuitive formula, as a company must pay for all its assets by borrowing money or raising capital from investors, resulting in liabilities.

What is GAAP accounting?

GAAP stands for generally accepted accounting principles. GAAP is a set of rules for standardized financial reporting that help ensure accuracy and transparency. Organizations like publicly traded companies and government agencies must follow GAAP, which adapts to economic changes.

What are the three financial statements for dummies?

Financial statements: The balance sheet, the income statement, and the statement of cash flows; where you find the actual financial results for the year. Notes to the financial statements: Details about potential problems with the numbers or how the numbers were derived.

Which is the correct order in which to prepare the three financial statements?

Here's a closer look at these statements.

  • Income statement. The financial statement prepared first is your income statement. ...
  • Statement of retained earnings. Your statement of retained earnings is the second financial statement you prepare in your accounting cycle. ...
  • Balance sheet. ...
  • Cash flow statement.

What is a 3 statement model?

A three-statement financial model is an integrated model that forecasts an organization's income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements. The three core elements (income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements) require that you gather data ahead of performing any financial modeling.

What are the three key rules of valuing cashflows?

  • Only values at the same point in time can be compared or combined.
  • To calculate a cash flow's future value, we must compound it.
  • To calculate the present value of a future cash flow, we must discount it.

What are the three ways of flow of funds?

The movement of capital can be broken down into different methods, each representing a unique way that funds move through the system. The four methods that Flow of Funds can be divided into are: direct, third-party payment processor, business in the flow, and third-party payment processor and business.

What are the big 3 financial statements?

The three main financial statements are the Income Statement (profitability over time), the Balance Sheet (assets, liabilities, equity at a point in time), and the Cash Flow Statement (cash movement from operations, investing, and financing activities), which together provide a comprehensive view of a company's financial health and performance. 

What are the three basics of accounting?

The three golden rules of accounting are (1) debit all expenses and losses, credit all incomes and gains, (2) debit the receiver, credit the giver, and (3) debit what comes in, credit what goes out. These rules are the basis of double-entry accounting, first attributed to Luca Pacioli.

How to read financial statements for beginners?

On the top half you have the company's assets and on the bottom half its liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (or Net Worth). The assets and liabilities are typically listed in order of liquidity and separated between current and non-current. The income statement covers a period of time, such as a quarter or year.