format_list_bulleted Topic Overview

Statement of Financial Position

The university's Statement of Financial Position, also known as the Balance Sheet, is a financial statement that reports the balance of the university's assets, liabilities and net assets at a particular point in time. This page describes key components of the Statement of Financial Position.

The university's fiscal year-end Statement of Financial Position can be viewed in the Stanford University Annual Financial Report located on the Office of the Treasurer Bondholder Information website.

AssetsLiabilities = Net Assets

An asset is a resource controlled by an entity as a result of past events and from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the entity. In other words, an asset is something with substantial future economic value that the university owns.

The university's assets on the Statement of Financial Position include:

  • Cash
  • Accounts receivable
  • Prepaid expenses
  • Inventory
  • Pledges receivable
  • Loans receivable
  • Investments
  • Plant facilities

Assets are designated with a 1XXXX series object code in the university’s Chart of Accounts. For more information, refer to Account Structure.

A liability is a present obligation of the entity arising from past events, the settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow from the entity of resources embodying economic benefits. In other words, a liability is something that the university owes in the future.

The University's liabilities on the Statement of Financial Position include:

  • Accounts payable
  • Accrued expenses
  • Accrued pension and post-retirement benefit obligations
  • Liabilities associated with investments
  • Notes and bonds payable
  • U.S. government refundable loan funds

Liabilities are designated with a 2XXXX series object code in the university's Chart of Accounts. For more information, see Account Structure.

Net assets are the assets remaining after deducting liabilities. In other words, net assets equal assets minus liabilities. Net assets are more commonly known as equity.

Last Updated: Jun 9, 2023