{"id":108247,"date":"2023-03-17T15:08:33","date_gmt":"2023-03-17T15:08:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/?p=108247"},"modified":"2023-03-17T15:12:12","modified_gmt":"2023-03-17T15:12:12","slug":"profit-loss-statement-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/accounting\/profit-loss-statement-2\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Profit & Loss Statement? What You Need to Know, Examples & Guide","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The profit and loss statement (P&L), also known as the income statement, is one of three financial statements that businesses must produce on a regular basis. Market analysts, investors, creditors, and even self-employed people carefully examine the profit and loss statement in order to assess a company’s financial condition and prospects for future growth. This article is a guide on what you need to know about a profit and loss statement and how it differs from a balance sheet, with examples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a Profit and Loss Statement (P&L)?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A profit and loss statement (P&L), also known as an income statement or a statement of operations, is a financial report that summarizes a company’s revenues, expenses, and profits\/losses over a specific time period. The profit and loss statement demonstrates a company’s ability to generate sales, manage expenses, and generate profits. It differs from the cash flow statement in that it is prepared using accounting principles such as revenue recognition, matching, and accruals<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Profit and Loss Statement Structure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A company’s profit and loss statement is presented over a specific time period, such as a month, quarter, or fiscal year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main categories found on the P&L are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n