{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/balance-sheet","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/balance-sheet","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"balance-sheet","term":"Balance Sheet","group":"Reading the business","definition":"A snapshot of a business's assets, liabilities, and owner's equity at a specific point in time. Buyers care because it reveals the company's financial health, what it owns, what it owes, and its net worth.","what_it_means":"Review the Balance Sheet alongside the P&L to get a complete financial picture. Pay close attention to current assets and liabilities to assess working capital, and scrutinize any large or unusual entries. This document helps confirm the value of assets you're acquiring and liabilities you might be assuming.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/balance-sheet","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"profit-and-loss-statement","term":"Profit and Loss Statement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/profit-and-loss-statement"},{"slug":"working-capital","term":"Working capital","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/working-capital"},{"slug":"liability","term":"Liability","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/liability"},{"slug":"assets","term":"Assets","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/assets"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What is the maximum total outstanding balance for all SBA 7(a) loans to one business?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-maximum-total-outstanding-balance-for-all-sba-7-a-loans-to-one-business"},{"question":"What is the prepayment penalty calculation for a 7(a) loan with a principal balance exceeding $500,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-prepayment-penalty-calculation-for-a-7-a-loan-with-a-principal-balance-exceedi"},{"question":"Can a personal guaranty be released if the business performs exceptionally well and the loan balance is significantly reduced?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-a-personal-guaranty-be-released-if-the-business-performs-exceptionally-well-and-the-lo"},{"question":"Is there a prepayment penalty for early repayment of my SBA 7(a) loan if the principal balance is under $500,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/is-there-a-prepayment-penalty-for-early-repayment-of-my-sba-7-a-loan-if-the-principal-bala"},{"question":"If I significantly reduce the principal balance of my SBA 7(a) loan within the first three years, will a prepayment penalty apply?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-i-significantly-reduce-the-principal-balance-of-my-sba-7-a-loan-within-the-first-three-"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Balance Sheet","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/balance-sheet","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}