The Profit and Loss Statement summarises how the business has traded over a period.
That is whether it has made a Profit or Loss.
Earlier we defined Profit as the difference between the Revenue (income received) and the Expenses of generating that Revenue.
Net Profit = Revenue - Expenses
The Profit and Loss Statement is, along with the Balance sheet, one of the two main Accounting reports.
PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT FOR Joe Blow PERIOD ENDING 01/01/200x SALES 400 LESS COST OF GOODS SOLD OPENING STOCK 50 PURCHASES 200 LESS CLOSING STOCK 100 150 GROSS PROFIT 250 LESS OTHER EXPENSES Wages 50 power 75 depreciation 25 150 NETT PROFIT 100 ===