Is total equity the same as shareholder equity?

Yes, total equity and shareholder equity refer to the same concept in a company's financial statements. Both terms represent the residual interest in the assets of a company after deducting liabilities, essentially reflecting the ownership value held by shareholders. This includes common stock, preferred stock, retained earnings, and additional paid-in capital. In summary, they are interchangeable terms used to describe the net worth of a company attributable to its owners.