Interpretation of Ratios
(Note to Instructor – It is not expected that your students would need to prepare all of the
following ratios. Ratios that were redundant were not calculated, for example the liquidity ratio
and the quick ratio were not both calculated.)
1) At 13.9% of total revenues, intergovernmental revenues constitute a somewhat significant
portion of total revenues used by Smithville. However, although somewhat significant it
does not appear that Smithville is overly reliant on revenues over which it has no control.
This percentage will want to be watched in the future to ensure it does not continue to grow
unchecked.
3) Although this ratio is not large, Smithville is operating at a surplus rather than a deficit.
Therefore, this ratio is considered acceptable.
4) At a ratio of .081, the fund balances ratio is less than .10. Generally, a ratio of .10 to .25 is
5) Smithville’s liquidity is ratio is 1.613. A warning ratio is between 1 and 2 in the most recent
years. Smithville’s liquidity is relatively weak if this is an ongoing situation.
6) With a ratio of .069, Smithville’s current liabilities ratio is above the ratio of .05 that would
be considered a warning sign. An analysis of the trend in this ratio is warranted.
8) This ratio can be interpreted in a manner similar to the fund balance ratio.
10) The current ratio for Smithville is 2.246, indicating a favorable financial position ratio.
(Instructor Note: Although 1.0 is considered an acceptable benchmark current ratio in
business, a ratio of 2.0 is often considered for governments.)
11) The interperiod equity ratio of .936 is less than one, indicating that not all of the expenses are
12) The bonded debt per capita is $121.18. Without additional information about the population
demographics, such as unemployment, average salaries, overlapping debt and taxes per
13) At a ratio of .111, only a small percentage of the available legal debt limit has been used.
Overall the City of Smithville seems to have an adequate financial position. Several of the ratios
are marginal and bear watching, such as the fund balances and unrestricted net position ratios,
liquidity ratio, current liabilities ratio, and interperiod equity ratio. The financial condition of the
city is favorable with regard to its debt burden and the ability to cover the debt as it comes due.