What is the purpose of eliminating intercompany payables and receivables when preparing consolidated financial statements?

Eliminating intercompany payables and receivables when preparing consolidated financial statements is primarily aimed at showing the true financial position of the consolidated entity. When businesses within a corporate group conduct transactions with one another, these transactions can create payables and receivables that do not represent actual cash flows with external parties. If these amounts are not eliminated, the consolidated financial statements will inaccurately reflect inflated assets and liabilities, thereby misleading users about the true financial condition and results of operations of the consolidated entity. The elimination process ensures that the financial statements present a more accurate and transparent view of the group's overall financial health, avoiding misrepresentation that could arise from including these internal balances.

While avoiding double counting of revenues is also an important aspect of consolidation, the broader and more critical purpose is to ensure the consolidated financial statements reflect the consolidated entity's actual financial position. Compliance with regulatory requirements, while important, is a secondary concern in this specific context as the primary focus is on the clarity and accuracy of the financial statement presentation. Enhancing investor perception, although relevant, does not directly address the primary accounting principle behind the elimination of intercompany transactions.