The balance sheet is a snapshot, not a movie — it captures what the business owns and owes on a specific date. Assets are split between current (within one year) and non-current; liabilities likewise. Equity is the residual claim of the owners.
Together with the income statement and cash flow statement, the balance sheet completes the trio of primary financial statements. Ratios like debt-to-equity, current ratio and return on equity are all derived from it.
Assets = Liabilities + Equity
On 31 December a company shows CHF 5m in assets (cash, receivables, equipment), CHF 3m in liabilities (loans, payables) and CHF 2m in equity — the equation balances.