- 1). Obtain information regarding total assets from the company's balance sheet. Anything the company owns is considered an asset, and this can range from machinery to raw materials, office equipment and money. Assets are usually divided into current assets, which are those that have dollar amounts; investments; capital assets, which include permanent items such as buildings; and intangible assets, which include patents, copyrights and anything nonmaterial.
- 2). Obtain information regarding the company's total liabilities, which is also found on the company's balance sheet. Liabilities are in effect the opposite of assets and include what the company owes other people. Liabilities are broken down into current liabilities, which are those that should be paid within the year, and long-term liabilities, which are owed after more than a year.
- 3). Subtract total liabilities from total assets to obtain the stockholders' equity for the company. Stockholders' equity thus encompasses what assets are left after all liabilities have been paid.
Source...