What is shareholders' equity referred to in a sole proprietorship?

In a sole proprietorship, the term used to describe shareholders' equity is owner's equity. This concept reflects the owner's claim to the assets of the business after all liabilities have been deducted. In essence, it represents the financial interest the sole proprietor has in the business, encompassing contributions made by the owner and any retained earnings from the business activities.

Owner's equity is a critical figure in assessing the net worth of the sole proprietorship, as it provides insights into the financial health and stability of the business. Unlike corporations that have capital stock and shareholders, a sole proprietorship does not have distinct shares of stock; therefore, the owner's equity is more aptly termed as such to indicate that ownership is singular and closely tied to the individual rather than a collective group of shareholders.

Other terms like capital stock and retained earnings are more applicable to corporations. Capital stock pertains to shares issued by a corporation, while retained earnings refer specifically to the portion of net income that is retained to reinvest in the business rather than distributed to shareholders. Shareholder surplus is not a relevant term in the context of a sole proprietorship since there is no formal issue of stock or shareholders involved.