Glossary
Financial Reporting

Consolidated Financial Statements

By: Alec Hollingsworth
Updated:  
June 16, 2025

DEFINITION:

Consolidated financial statements combine the financial information of a parent organization and its subsidiaries into one comprehensive report.
Consolidated financial statements are comprehensive financial reports that present the combined financial position and results of operations for a parent organization and its subsidiaries as if they were a single entity. These statements eliminate intra-group transactions and balances, ensuring that only external financial activities are reported. By consolidating assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, organizations provide a holistic view of their overall financial health. Nonprofits that control or significantly influence other entities, such as foundations or supporting organizations, are often required to issue consolidated financial statements to comply with accounting standards and donor expectations. Accurate consolidation is crucial for transparency, comparability, and informed decision-making among stakeholders.

Key Takeaways

  • Showcases the financial position of related entities as one organization
  • Eliminates intercompany transactions and balances
  • Required for compliance with accounting standards
  • Enhances transparency for stakeholders

Why It Matters

They provide a complete financial picture for organizations with related entities.

Real World Example

A large nonprofit operates several regional chapters, each as a legally distinct subsidiary. To provide donors and regulators with a clear understanding of its total resources and activities, the nonprofit prepares consolidated financial statements. These statements combine assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses from the parent organization and all subsidiaries, eliminating any internal transactions between them. As a result, external stakeholders see a single, unified financial report that accurately reflects the nonprofit’s overall financial health and operational outcomes, rather than fragmented or duplicative information from each separate entity.

How Aplos Helps

Aplos supports nonprofits in managing multiple funds, accounts, and entities. With Aplos, organizations can efficiently track finances for different entities and prepare consolidated financial statements, ensuring compliance and clear reporting for boards, donors, and regulators.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are consolidated financial statements?

They are financial reports that present the combined financial position and results of a parent organization and its subsidiaries as a single entity.

Who needs to prepare consolidated financial statements?

Organizations with control over one or more subsidiaries, including many large nonprofits, are often required to prepare consolidated financial statements.

Why eliminate intercompany transactions in consolidation?

Eliminating intercompany transactions prevents double counting and ensures the consolidated statements reflect only external financial activities.

How does Aplos help with consolidated financial statements?

Aplos allows organizations to track finances by entity and supports the preparation of consolidated statements for accurate reporting.