Concept · C:basic-earnings-per-share

Basic earnings per share

Working definition

Income available to common shareholders divided by weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period, with two-class allocation when required.

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  1. Apply it
  2. Keep the boundary clear
  3. Authority

Basic earnings per share belongs in a reconciled numerator-and-denominator workpaper. Basic EPS divides income available to common shareholders by weighted-average common shares outstanding. Reconcile the numerator and denominator independently before dividing, and preserve each required statement component and comparative period.

Apply it

If income available to common shareholders is $4,200,000 and weighted-average common shares are 1,050,000, basic EPS is $4.00. Keep full precision in the workpaper before applying the presentation rounding policy.

Reconcile the displayed amount back to both schedules after rounding.

Review basic earnings per share against income available to common shareholders. Reconcile basic earnings per share to weighted average common shares, the dated basic earnings per share evidence, and its final presentation.

Keep the boundary clear

Basic EPS excludes assumed exercises and conversions. Participating securities may require a two-class allocation before the common numerator is divided by common shares.

Authority

Read ASC 260-10-45-10 for the basic-EPS computation.

Learning objectives

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Apply this concept

  • Explain and apply basic earnings per share within a reconciled numerator-and-denominator workpaper using supplied authoritative facts.

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Updated Sep 11, 2026 Review due Dec 11, 2026