What accounting statement summarizes the relationship between assets and claims against those assets?

The balance sheet is the accounting statement that summarizes the relationship between assets, liabilities, and equity, effectively outlining claims against those assets. It provides a snapshot of a company's financial position at a given point in time, showing what the company owns (assets) and how those assets are financed, either through debts (liabilities) or owner investments (equity).

By presenting this information, the balance sheet allows stakeholders to assess the company's liquidity, financial stability, and overall health. It follows the fundamental accounting equation: Assets = Liabilities + Equity. This equation illustrates that all the resources owned by the company are financed either by borrowing money or through investments by the owners, which is central to understanding a company's financial structure.

The other financial statements mentioned serve different purposes; the income statement focuses on profitability over a specific period, the cash flow statement tracks cash inflows and outflows within that same time frame, and the statement of retained earnings outlines changes in equity, specifically related to retained earnings over a period.