Income statement

Accounting.

(IS).

A statement that sets out how the net profit or loss for a period is arrived at.

Also known as the statement of profit or loss or profit and loss account.

Under the 'double entry' accounting convention, income items in the Income statement are Credits (CR) and expenses are Debits (DR).

A net profit for the period under review is a Credit in the Income statement.

A net loss for the period is a Debit in the Income statement.

Net profits or losses for the period - in the Income statement - feed through in turn to the Shareholders' funds (cumulative retained profits or losses) in the 'bottom half' of the Balance sheet (as at the end of the period).

See also

• Accruals concept
• Balance sheet
• Cash flow statement
• Cashflow statement
• Expense
• Financial statements
• Income statement exposure
• Net profit
• Primary statements
• Profit and Loss account