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Accounting refers to the process of recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions, while finance deals with managing and making decisions about money, such as investments, assets, and liabilities.

Accounting provides financial information that helps businesses track their performance, analyze costs, and make informed decisions. Finance, on the other hand, helps businesses manage their financial resources, evaluate investments, and plan for future growth.

The main financial statements in accounting are the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. The balance sheet shows a company's assets, liabilities, and equity. The income statement shows revenues, expenses, and profit or loss. The cash flow statement shows cash inflows and outflows.

Some common accounting ratios used to assess a company's financial health include the current ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities), debt-to-equity ratio (total debt divided by total equity), return on investment (net income divided by total assets), and gross profit margin (gross profit divided by revenues).

Financial analysis involves assessing a company's financial performance and making recommendations based on the information gathered. It helps stakeholders understand the company's profitability, liquidity, solvency, and efficiency, enabling better decision-making and strategic planning.

Financial forecasting involves estimating future financial outcomes based on historical data and market trends. It helps businesses plan their budgets, set goals, and make informed decisions about investments, financing, and resource allocation. This forecasting helps improve financial planning and increases the likelihood of achieving business objectives.