What Is the Difference Between Total Equity & Stockholders' Equity?

Companies prepare and issue balance sheets annually to inform owners and other stakeholders of the financial position of the company at the end of the fiscal year. A balance sheet is a major financial statement for a company. At its most basic, a balance sheet calculates a company’s assets and its liabilities. It also reports the company's equity, which is the difference between the company’s assets and liabilities.

Tip

Company assets are generally reported at less than their actual value because of accounting principles. This means that stockholders’ equity does not necessarily represent the value of the corporation if it were to be sold off because chances are that the assets would sell for more than they are listed for on the balance sheet. There is likely also to be value in the company's goodwill and brand equity.

Assets are reported in the first section of a company's balance sheet. Assets are things that the company owns, such as real estate, equipment, cash, company stock or product. Assets can also include accounts receivable for goods shipped to customers for which payment has yet to be received.

Liabilities are what the company owes. This would be things like debt for financing or accounts payable, value of outstanding stock or unfilled orders. If the company's assets are greater than the liabilities, then the company has a value beyond its income expenses.

When a corporation prepares its balance sheet, one section will be stockholders’ equity. This is the difference between a corporation’s assets and its liabilities. This is also called the corporation’s “book value.” This is also known as total equity or if the business is a sole proprietorship, it is called owner’s equity.

Revenue will increase the stockholders’ equity because it is either held as cash, invested in the company or used to pay off liabilities. Expenses automatically decrease stockholders’ equity because they increase a company’s debt.

A corporation’s stockholders’ equity section of a balance sheet will include information on paid-in capital, retained earnings, treasury stock and accumulated other comprehensive income. However, what is required in this section will vary somewhat depending on where the corporation has its headquarters. This is due to differences in state laws.

Company assets are generally reported at less than their actual value because of accounting principles. This means that stockholders’ equity does not necessarily represent the value of the corporation if it were to be sold off because chances are that the assets would sell for more than they are listed for on the balance sheet. A company will also have goodwill and brand equity that will be of value to a potential buyer. This will be worth something in addition to the equity in the company found on the balance sheet.