The process of selecting a base year and expressing the amount as a percent of the base year amount is referred to as trend analysis. Percentage change can be calculated between two periods or over a longer period of time.
Percentage change between two periods:
Subtract the earlier year from the later year. A negative difference means the change is a decrease. A positive difference means it is an increase. Then divide the change by the earlier year's balance.
Percentage change over a longer period of time:
1. Select the base year.
2. Divide the amount in each nonbase year (for each line item) by the amount in the base year and multiply by 100.
