How to Record Stock Options on a Balance Sheet

Record the periodic cost allocation of the stock option. The periodic cost is the value of the stock options divided by the number of service years. Record a journal entry that debits 'compensation expense' (this expense is reported in the income statement) and credits 'additional paid in capital -- stock options' (a stockholder's equity account reported in the balance sheet). Record this cost annually throughout the employee's vesting period.
Record the exercise of the stock option. When the exercise date arrives, the employee can exercise the option and purchase the company's common stock at the exercise price. Common stock is valued at par, a designated dollar amount used to value each share of common stock on the balance sheet. When common stock is sold or repurchased, it is usually for a price above the par value, so the excess amount over par is credited to an 'additional paid in capital' account. The journal entry to record the exercise of the option involves debiting 'cash' for the number of shares purchased multiplied by the exercise price. In addition, debit 'additional paid in capital -- stock options' for the balance accumulated in the account over the vesting period and credit 'common stock' for the number of shares purchased multiplied by the stock's par value. The remaining credit is made to 'additional paid-in capital in excess of par (common stock)' for the amount needed to balance the journal entry.
Record the expiration of the options, if applicable. If a stock option is not exercised on its exercise date, it will expire or sometimes only some of the shares offered by the option are purchased. If the options expire, the balance in the 'additional paid in capital -- stock options' account needs to be transferred to 'additional paid in capital -- expired stock options' account. By debiting the stock options account and crediting the expired stock options account, the cost is reclassified within the stockholder's equity section of the balance sheet. When a portion of the option shares are exercised and a portion expire, allocate the costs as explained in steps 2 and 3 based on the number of shares purchased and the remaining value of the option that expired.

How to Deposit Stock Certificates Into a Brokerage Account

Endorse and date the stock certificate. Turn your stock certificate over and sign it exactly as the name appears on the front. The account you are depositing into must have the same name. If it is written to a single person and the account is a joint account there may be additional steps. Place the date near your signature.
Write the name of the broker on the back where it states 'constitute and appoint
__ Attorney.' This is where you put the name of the bank you are depositing it into, such as USAA or Ameritrade. This ensures that if it gets lost someone else will not be able to deposit it.
Write your brokerage account number under your signature. This will make sure it is deposited into the right account. This number should be located on your most recent statement.
Make a copy of both sides of the certificate and mail the original certificate to the address of the brokerage company. Choosing a certified mail option, will give you peace of mind that your package arrived safely. Watch your account statements to make sure the certificate has been deposited, and that the number of shares is correct.

How to Lift Restrictions on a Stock Certificate

Contact your brokerage firm and request the paperwork required to remove the restrictive legend on your stock certificate.
Confirm with your brokerage firm that it will send you, at a minimum, the Rule 144 Seller's Representation Letter, the SEC Form 144 and a Stock Power form. Your firm may also require additional forms.
Determine whether your status is 'affiliate' or 'non-affiliate' of the company and complete the Seller's Representation letter accordingly.
Contact your company or your company's transfer agent to obtain the appropriate IRS Identification Number and SEC File Number. You will need this information in order to complete the SEC Form 144.
Complete and sign your brokerage firm's Irrevocable Stock Power form. This form allows your broker to negotiate the certificate on your behalf, but it does not give your broker ownership of the shares.
Make and keep a copy of your completed forms and your stock certificate.
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Contact your brokerage firm upon its receipt of your package and ensure you completed all forms correctly. If it sees a problem, you can likely correct it without its having to mail back the entire package.
Follow up with the issuer's transfer agent if the restriction on your certificate has not been removed within six weeks of your sending in your paperwork. Your broker must depend on the transfer agent to complete this step.

How to Obtain a Stock Certificate (3 Steps)

Ask your broker to get the stock certificate on your behalf. This is the easiest way to get a stock certificate. No matter what type of broker you have an account with--online broker or full-service broker--you can request a physical stock certificate at an additional fee. Check with your broker for details about the process as well as the fee you will have to pay.
Contact the company in which you own shares directly. If you purchased the shares directly from the company, then you can contact them for a physical stock certificate. If you cannot locate or contact the company directly, you may visit its state of incorporation for information.
Order the stock certificate through a transfer agent. Most companies that issue shares to the public have a transfer agent to handle the company's securities. You can find the name of the company's transfer agent in the company's annual report. You can visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to get the annual report of any company listed on the stock exchange.

How to Calculate Stock Prices From a Balance Sheet

Identify the firm's total stockholder's equity holdings from the balance sheet. This includes the firm's preferred stock, common stock, additional paid-in-capital, and any retained earnings. For example if the firm's balance sheet showed $1 million of preferred stock, $5 million of common stock, $800,000 of additional paid-in-capital, and $500,000 in retained earnings, the firm's total equity holdings value would be 7.3 million. The equation would be 1,000,000 + 5,000,000 + 800,000 + 500,000 = 7,300,000. If the firms total assets are $10 million, this would leave $2.7 million in liabilities. The equation would be 10,000,000 - 7,300,000 = 2,700,000.
Determine the firm's total common stockholder's equity from the balance sheet. Calculate the firm's total common stockholder's equity by subtracting the total preferred stock value from the firm's total stockholder's equity holdings. For example, if the firm's total stock holder's equity is $7.3 million and its preferred stock holdings are $1 million, then the firm's total common stock holder's equity would be $6.3 million. The equation would be 7,300,000 - 1,000,000 = 6,300,000. The $6.3 million represents the total value of the common equity shareholders portion of the firm's total equity capital structure.
Calculate the firm's stock price book value from the balance sheet. Divide the firm's total common stockholder's equity by the average number of common shares outstanding. For example, if the firm's total common stockholder's equity is $6.3 million and the average number of common shares outstanding is $100,000, then the stock price's book value for the firm would be $63. The equation would be 6,300,000 / 100,000 = 63. This would be based on the information obtained from the firm's balance sheet.