FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AS A TOOL FOR ENSURING THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF SMALL AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES

The purpose of the article is to investigate the application of financial analysis as a tool for ensuring the economic security of small agricultural enterprises in Ukraine, identify existing problems and define prospective directions for their solution. It is established that economic security is a fundamental condition for stable functioning, effective resource utilization, confronting numerous threats, and adapting to changes, thereby providing a foundation for the sustainable development of small agricultural enterprises, which play a system-forming role in ensuring the country’s food security and rural sustainable development. It is proven that financial analysis is an indispensable tool that allows not only to assess the current financial state of the enterprise but also to timely identify hidden risks, determine growth points, optimize cost structure, justify investment decisions, and form effective strategies for ensuring economic security. It is stated that most small agricultural enterprises in Ukraine experience significant difficulties in independently conducting quality financial analysis, which is due to limited financial resources for attracting highly qualified specialists in this field. The article substantiates the important role of agricultural extension services, which are capable of providing small agricultural enterprises with comprehensive support on financial analysis issues, including conducting consultations, performing independent financial assessment, conducting express analysis of the financial state, assessing creditworthiness, identifying bankruptcy risks, and developing recommendations for strengthening economic security. Agricultural extension services can also contribute to the development of strategies for increasing solvency, profitability, business activity, and investment attractiveness, optimizing costs, diversifying entrepreneurship, attracting external investments, preparing documents for obtaining bank loans and grants, establishing contacts with investors, and advising on accounting and taxation issues. To assess the level of economic security of agricultural enterprises, it is proposed to use a system of economic indicators covering indicators of liquidity, solvency, financial stability, business activity, and profitability, while emphasizing the need to consider industry specifics and use appropriate normative values. Attention is focused on the importance of establishing close and continuous cooperation between small agricultural enterprises and agricultural extension services as a key condition for ensuring their economic security through the quality implementation of financial analysis tools. Prospects for further research are related to the use of modern information technologies to optimize the process of financial analysis.