What specific balance sheet account provides the link between the balance sheet and the income statement? Thoroughly describe how this linkage works. Solution The Retained earnings account in the balance sheet provides the link to the income statement. Retained earnings are the residual earnings left over after distributing the cash dividends to the stock holders. Closing retained earnings= Opening retained earnings + Net income - Cash dividends. Net income is arrived from the income statement Cash dividends are arrived at by the Board of directors Opening retained earnings are the earnings carried forward from the previous years. Closing retained earnings is added to the stockholders equity account and reflected in the balance sheet. The carrying of the net income to the balance sheet ensures there is uniform distribution of accounts from the income statement to the balance sheet and also ensures balance of accounts.