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| Meta Title | Profit and Loss Statement (P&L) | Formula + Calculator |
| Meta Description | Profit and Loss Statement (P&L) is a financial statement that starts with revenue and deducts costs and expenses to arrive at net income. |
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| Boilerpipe Text | What is Profit and Loss Statement?
How to Read a Profit and Loss Statement
How to Prepare Profit and Loss Statement (P&L)
What is the Format of a P&L Statement?
Profit and Loss Statement Example: Alphabet (GOOGL)
Profit and Loss Statement Calculator — Excel Template
Profit and Loss Statement Calculation Example
The
Profit and Loss Statement (P&L)
is a financial statement that starts with revenue and deducts costs and expenses to arrive at net income, the profitability of a company, in a specified period.
The P&L statement—or “Income Statement”—is a financial report that summarizes a particular company’s revenue, costs, and expenses across a stated period.
How to Read a Profit and Loss Statement
The profit and loss statement—or “P&L Statement”—is one of the three core financial statements that publicly traded companies are obligated to file with the SEC.
For public companies listed in the U.S., the
10-Q
profit and loss statement (P&L), often used interchangeably with the term “Income Statement”, must be filed each quarter, with a
10-K
annual filing due for the 4
th
quarter.
Quarterly Filing (10-Q) âžť
3x Per Year (and 4th is 10-K)
Annual Filing (10-K) âžť
1x Per Year
Together, alongside the
cash flow statement (CFS)
and
balance sheet (B/S)
, the P&L statement provides a detailed depiction of the financial state of a company.
In particular, the P&L statement shows the
operating performance
of the company as well as the costs and expenses that impact its
profit margins
.
Upon assessing a company’s P&L statement, one can gauge the company’s ability to:
Generate Revenue âžť
Improve Sales Growth (“Top Line”)
Optimize Operating Structure âžť
Reduce Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) and Operating Costs (SG&A, R&D)
Increase Profitability
→ Higher Gross Margin, Contribution Margin (CM), Operating Profit Margin, EBITDA Margin, and Net Profit Margin
How to Prepare Profit and Loss Statement (P&L)
The profit and loss statement (P&L) can be prepared by an accountant under two different methods:
Accrual Accounting (U.S. GAAP) âžť
Under the revenue recognition principle (ASC 606), revenue is recognized when “earned” under GAAP standards (i.e. product or service delivered to the customer regardless of whether
cash
payment was received). Expenses are matched in the same period as the corresponding revenue they helped create, which is called the matching principle. The income statement filed with the SEC must abide by U.S. GAAP reporting standards.
Cash Basis Accounting âžť
Under cash basis accounting, revenue is not recognized until the customer pays in cash to the company for the products or services received. Expenses under cash accounting, similar to revenue, are not recognized until the cash outflow occurs – meaning that the company has actually paid the third party in cash. The income statement prepared under cash-basis accounting are more common for private companies.
What is the Format of a P&L Statement?
The standard profit and loss statement (P&L) format will consist of the following line items:
Income Statement
Line Items
Net Revenue
Net Revenue = Gross Revenue – Returns – Discounts – Sales Allowances
Less: Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) = Beginning Inventory + Purchases in the Current Period – Ending Inventory
Gross Profit
Gross Profit = Revenue – COGS
Less: Operating Expenses (Opex)
Operating Expenses = ÎŁ SG&A, R&D
Operating Income (
EBIT
)
EBIT = Gross Profit – Operating Expenses
Less: Interest Expense
Interest Expense = Interest Rate (%) Ă— Debt
Pre-Tax Income (EBT)
EBT = EBIT – Interest Expense
Less: Income Taxes
Income Tax = Effective Tax Rate (%) Ă— EBT
Net Income
Net Income = EBT – Taxes
Profit and Loss Statement Example: Alphabet (GOOGL)
The profit and loss statement (P&L) of
Alphabet (GOOGL)
—derived from financial data platform
Daloopa
—is presented below to illustrate the format of an income statement.
Alphabet, Inc. Income Statement Example (Source:
Daloopa
)
Profit and Loss Statement Calculator — Excel Template
We’ll now move on to a modeling exercise, which you can access by filling out the form below.
Profit and Loss Statement Calculation Example
Suppose we’re tasked with creating a simple profit and loss statement (P&L) for a company with the following financial data.
Revenue = $100 million
COGS = $40 million
SG&A = $20 million
Interest Expense = $5 million
Tax Rate = 30%
Given those assumptions, we can input each figure into our P&L statement in Excel while ensuring to abide by the industry standard formatting conventions (i.e. the
financial modeling
“best practices”).
Therefore, the assumptions will be formatted in blue font to denote that the figure is hard-coded input, whereas the calculation metrics are formatted in black font.
Furthermore, each cost and expense is entered as a negative figure to reflect that the line item represents an outflow of cash.
The formula for each profit metric on the profit and loss statement (P&L) is stated in the following list:
Gross Profit = $100 million – $40 million = $60 million
EBIT = $60 million – $20 million = $40 million
Pre-Tax Income (EBT) = $40 million – $5 million = $35 million
Net Income = $35 million – ($35 million × 30%) = $25 million
In closing, our hypothetical company’s gross profit, EBIT, and net income are $60 million, $40 million, and $25 million, respectively.
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- Profit and Loss Statement (P\&L)
# Profit and Loss Statement (P\&L)
Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding the Profit and Loss Statement (P\&L)
Updated Jun. 23, 2024
4m Read Time
Part of the Guide On...
Income Statement
Part of the Guide On:
Income Statement
Income Statement Fundamental Concepts
Profit and Loss Statement (P\&L)[Multi-Step Income Statement](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/multi-step-income-statement/)[Annual Income](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/annual-income/)
Revenue (Sales)
[Net Revenue](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/net-revenue/)[Gross Sales](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/gross-sales/)[Credit Sales](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/credit-sales/)[Gross vs. Net Income](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/gross-vs-net-income/)
Profitability Metrics
[Gross Profit](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/gross-profit/)[Operating Profit](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/operating-profit/)[EBIT](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/ebit/)[Pre-Tax Income (EBT)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/pre-tax-income/)[Net Income](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/net-income/)[Adjusted Net Income](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/adjusted-net-income/)
Operating Costs
[Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/cogs-cost-of-goods-sold/)[Cost of Goods Manufactured (COGM)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/cogm-cost-of-goods-manufactured/)[Operating Expenses](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/operating-expenses/)[SG\&A Expense](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/selling-general-administrative-sga/)[Research and Development (R\&D)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/research-development/)[Overhead Costs](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/overhead-costs/)[COGS vs. Operating Expenses](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/cogs-vs-operating-expenses/)[Direct vs. Indirect Costs](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/direct-vs-indirect-costs/)
Non-Operating Items
[Interest Expense](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/interest-expense/)[Interest Income](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/interest-income/)[Net Interest Income (NII)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/net-interest-income/)[Net Interest Margin (NIM)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/net-interest-margin-nim/)[Inventory Write-Down](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/inventory-write-down/)[Inventory Write-Off](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/inventory-write-off/)[Discontinued Operations](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/discontinued-operations/)
Income Taxes
[Effective Tax Rate](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/effective-tax-rate/)[Effective vs Marginal Tax Rates](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/can-you-please-explain-the-difference-between-effective-tax-rate-and-marginal-tax-rate/)[Net Operating Loss (NOL)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/net-operating-loss-nol/)
Shares Outstanding
[Shares Outstanding](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/shares-outstanding/)[Weighted Average Shares Outstanding](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/weighted-average-shares-outstanding/)[Treasury Stock Method (TSM)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/treasury-stock-method/)[Stock Based Compensation (SBC)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/stock-based-compensation-sbc/)[Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/restricted-stock-units-rsus/)[Stock Split](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/stock-split/)[Reverse Stock Split](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/reverse-stock-split/)
Earnings Per Share (EPS)
[Earnings Per Share (EPS)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/earnings-per-share-eps/)[Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/basic-eps-earnings-per-share/)[Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/diluted-eps-earnings-per-share/)[Cash EPS](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/cash-eps/)
Table of Contents
1. [What is Profit and Loss Statement?](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_1)
2. [How to Read a Profit and Loss Statement](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_2)
3. [How to Prepare Profit and Loss Statement (P\&L)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_3)
4. [What is the Format of a P\&L Statement?](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_4)
5. [Profit and Loss Statement Example: Alphabet (GOOGL)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_5)
6. [Profit and Loss Statement Calculator — Excel Template](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_6)
7. [Profit and Loss Statement Calculation Example](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_7)
## What is Profit and Loss Statement?
The **Profit and Loss Statement (P\&L)** is a financial statement that starts with revenue and deducts costs and expenses to arrive at net income, the profitability of a company, in a specified period.
The P\&L statement—or “Income Statement”—is a financial report that summarizes a particular company’s revenue, costs, and expenses across a stated period.

## How to Read a Profit and Loss Statement
The profit and loss statement—or “P\&L Statement”—is one of the three core financial statements that publicly traded companies are obligated to file with the SEC.
For public companies listed in the U.S., the [10-Q](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/10-q-filing/) profit and loss statement (P\&L), often used interchangeably with the term “Income Statement”, must be filed each quarter, with a [10-K](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/10-k-filing/) annual filing due for the 4th quarter.
- **Quarterly Filing (10-Q) âžť** 3x Per Year (and 4th is 10-K)
- **Annual Filing (10-K) âžť** 1x Per Year
Together, alongside the [cash flow statement (CFS)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/cash-flow-statement/) and [balance sheet (B/S)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/balance-sheet/), the P\&L statement provides a detailed depiction of the financial state of a company.
In particular, the P\&L statement shows the [operating performance](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/ebitda/) of the company as well as the costs and expenses that impact its [profit margins](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-margin/).
Upon assessing a company’s P\&L statement, one can gauge the company’s ability to:
- **Generate Revenue ➝** Improve Sales Growth (“Top Line”)
- **Optimize Operating Structure âžť** Reduce Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) and Operating Costs (SG\&A, R\&D)
- **Increase Profitability** → Higher Gross Margin, Contribution Margin (CM), Operating Profit Margin, EBITDA Margin, and Net Profit Margin
## How to Prepare Profit and Loss Statement (P\&L)
The profit and loss statement (P\&L) can be prepared by an accountant under two different methods:
- **Accrual Accounting (U.S. GAAP) ➝** Under the revenue recognition principle (ASC 606), revenue is recognized when “earned” under GAAP standards (i.e. product or service delivered to the customer regardless of whether [cash](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/cash-equivalents/) payment was received). Expenses are matched in the same period as the corresponding revenue they helped create, which is called the matching principle. The income statement filed with the SEC must abide by U.S. GAAP reporting standards.
- **Cash Basis Accounting ➝** Under cash basis accounting, revenue is not recognized until the customer pays in cash to the company for the products or services received. Expenses under cash accounting, similar to revenue, are not recognized until the cash outflow occurs – meaning that the company has actually paid the third party in cash. The income statement prepared under cash-basis accounting are more common for private companies.
## What is the Format of a P\&L Statement?
The standard profit and loss statement (P\&L) format will consist of the following line items:
| Income Statement | Line Items |
|---|---|
| Net Revenue | Net Revenue = Gross Revenue – Returns – Discounts – Sales Allowances |
| Less: Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) | Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) = Beginning Inventory + Purchases in the Current Period – Ending Inventory |
| [Gross Profit](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/gross-profit/) | Gross Profit = Revenue – COGS |
| Less: Operating Expenses (Opex) | Operating Expenses = ÎŁ SG\&A, R\&D |
| Operating Income ([EBIT](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/ebit/)) | EBIT = Gross Profit – Operating Expenses |
| Less: Interest Expense | Interest Expense = Interest Rate (%) Ă— Debt |
| Pre-Tax Income (EBT) | EBT = EBIT – Interest Expense |
| Less: Income Taxes | Income Tax = Effective Tax Rate (%) Ă— EBT |
| [Net Income](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/net-income/) | Net Income = EBT – Taxes |
## Profit and Loss Statement Example: Alphabet (GOOGL)
The profit and loss statement (P\&L) of [Alphabet (GOOGL)](https://abc.xyz/investor/)—derived from financial data platform [Daloopa](https://hubs.ly/Q02t-L550)—is presented below to illustrate the format of an income statement.
[](https://hubs.ly/Q02t-L550)
Alphabet, Inc. Income Statement Example (Source: [Daloopa](https://hubs.ly/Q02t-L550))
## Profit and Loss Statement Calculator — Excel Template
We’ll now move on to a modeling exercise, which you can access by filling out the form below.
## Profit and Loss Statement Calculation Example
Suppose we’re tasked with creating a simple profit and loss statement (P\&L) for a company with the following financial data.
- Revenue = \$100 million
- COGS = \$40 million
- SG\&A = \$20 million
- Interest Expense = \$5 million
- Tax Rate = 30%
Given those assumptions, we can input each figure into our P\&L statement in Excel while ensuring to abide by the industry standard formatting conventions (i.e. the [financial modeling](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/financial-modeling/) “best practices”).
Therefore, the assumptions will be formatted in blue font to denote that the figure is hard-coded input, whereas the calculation metrics are formatted in black font.
Furthermore, each cost and expense is entered as a negative figure to reflect that the line item represents an outflow of cash.
The formula for each profit metric on the profit and loss statement (P\&L) is stated in the following list:
- Gross Profit = \$100 million – \$40 million = \$60 million
- EBIT = \$60 million – \$20 million = \$40 million
- Pre-Tax Income (EBT) = \$40 million – \$5 million = \$35 million
- Net Income = \$35 million – (\$35 million × 30%) = \$25 million
In closing, our hypothetical company’s gross profit, EBIT, and net income are \$60 million, \$40 million, and \$25 million, respectively.
[](https://media.wallstreetprep.com/uploads/2022/01/25232039/Profit-and-Loss-Statement-PL-Example-Template.jpg)
Continue Reading Below

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| Readable Markdown | 1. [What is Profit and Loss Statement?](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_1)
2. [How to Read a Profit and Loss Statement](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_2)
3. [How to Prepare Profit and Loss Statement (P\&L)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_3)
4. [What is the Format of a P\&L Statement?](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_4)
5. [Profit and Loss Statement Example: Alphabet (GOOGL)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_5)
6. [Profit and Loss Statement Calculator — Excel Template](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_6)
7. [Profit and Loss Statement Calculation Example](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-loss/#h2_7)
The **Profit and Loss Statement (P\&L)** is a financial statement that starts with revenue and deducts costs and expenses to arrive at net income, the profitability of a company, in a specified period.
The P\&L statement—or “Income Statement”—is a financial report that summarizes a particular company’s revenue, costs, and expenses across a stated period.

## How to Read a Profit and Loss Statement
The profit and loss statement—or “P\&L Statement”—is one of the three core financial statements that publicly traded companies are obligated to file with the SEC.
For public companies listed in the U.S., the [10-Q](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/10-q-filing/) profit and loss statement (P\&L), often used interchangeably with the term “Income Statement”, must be filed each quarter, with a [10-K](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/10-k-filing/) annual filing due for the 4th quarter.
- **Quarterly Filing (10-Q) âžť** 3x Per Year (and 4th is 10-K)
- **Annual Filing (10-K) âžť** 1x Per Year
Together, alongside the [cash flow statement (CFS)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/cash-flow-statement/) and [balance sheet (B/S)](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/balance-sheet/), the P\&L statement provides a detailed depiction of the financial state of a company.
In particular, the P\&L statement shows the [operating performance](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/ebitda/) of the company as well as the costs and expenses that impact its [profit margins](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/profit-margin/).
Upon assessing a company’s P\&L statement, one can gauge the company’s ability to:
- **Generate Revenue ➝** Improve Sales Growth (“Top Line”)
- **Optimize Operating Structure âžť** Reduce Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) and Operating Costs (SG\&A, R\&D)
- **Increase Profitability** → Higher Gross Margin, Contribution Margin (CM), Operating Profit Margin, EBITDA Margin, and Net Profit Margin
## How to Prepare Profit and Loss Statement (P\&L)
The profit and loss statement (P\&L) can be prepared by an accountant under two different methods:
- **Accrual Accounting (U.S. GAAP) ➝** Under the revenue recognition principle (ASC 606), revenue is recognized when “earned” under GAAP standards (i.e. product or service delivered to the customer regardless of whether [cash](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/cash-equivalents/) payment was received). Expenses are matched in the same period as the corresponding revenue they helped create, which is called the matching principle. The income statement filed with the SEC must abide by U.S. GAAP reporting standards.
- **Cash Basis Accounting ➝** Under cash basis accounting, revenue is not recognized until the customer pays in cash to the company for the products or services received. Expenses under cash accounting, similar to revenue, are not recognized until the cash outflow occurs – meaning that the company has actually paid the third party in cash. The income statement prepared under cash-basis accounting are more common for private companies.
## What is the Format of a P\&L Statement?
The standard profit and loss statement (P\&L) format will consist of the following line items:
| Income Statement | Line Items |
|---|---|
| Net Revenue | Net Revenue = Gross Revenue – Returns – Discounts – Sales Allowances |
| Less: Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) | Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) = Beginning Inventory + Purchases in the Current Period – Ending Inventory |
| [Gross Profit](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/gross-profit/) | Gross Profit = Revenue – COGS |
| Less: Operating Expenses (Opex) | Operating Expenses = ÎŁ SG\&A, R\&D |
| Operating Income ([EBIT](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/ebit/)) | EBIT = Gross Profit – Operating Expenses |
| Less: Interest Expense | Interest Expense = Interest Rate (%) Ă— Debt |
| Pre-Tax Income (EBT) | EBT = EBIT – Interest Expense |
| Less: Income Taxes | Income Tax = Effective Tax Rate (%) Ă— EBT |
| [Net Income](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/net-income/) | Net Income = EBT – Taxes |
## Profit and Loss Statement Example: Alphabet (GOOGL)
The profit and loss statement (P\&L) of [Alphabet (GOOGL)](https://abc.xyz/investor/)—derived from financial data platform [Daloopa](https://hubs.ly/Q02t-L550)—is presented below to illustrate the format of an income statement.
[](https://hubs.ly/Q02t-L550)
Alphabet, Inc. Income Statement Example (Source: [Daloopa](https://hubs.ly/Q02t-L550))
## Profit and Loss Statement Calculator — Excel Template
We’ll now move on to a modeling exercise, which you can access by filling out the form below.
## Profit and Loss Statement Calculation Example
Suppose we’re tasked with creating a simple profit and loss statement (P\&L) for a company with the following financial data.
- Revenue = \$100 million
- COGS = \$40 million
- SG\&A = \$20 million
- Interest Expense = \$5 million
- Tax Rate = 30%
Given those assumptions, we can input each figure into our P\&L statement in Excel while ensuring to abide by the industry standard formatting conventions (i.e. the [financial modeling](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/financial-modeling/) “best practices”).
Therefore, the assumptions will be formatted in blue font to denote that the figure is hard-coded input, whereas the calculation metrics are formatted in black font.
Furthermore, each cost and expense is entered as a negative figure to reflect that the line item represents an outflow of cash.
The formula for each profit metric on the profit and loss statement (P\&L) is stated in the following list:
- Gross Profit = \$100 million – \$40 million = \$60 million
- EBIT = \$60 million – \$20 million = \$40 million
- Pre-Tax Income (EBT) = \$40 million – \$5 million = \$35 million
- Net Income = \$35 million – (\$35 million × 30%) = \$25 million
In closing, our hypothetical company’s gross profit, EBIT, and net income are \$60 million, \$40 million, and \$25 million, respectively.
[](https://media.wallstreetprep.com/uploads/2022/01/25232039/Profit-and-Loss-Statement-PL-Example-Template.jpg)
Continue Reading Below

Step-by-Step Online Course
### Everything You Need To Master Financial Modeling
Enroll in The Premium Package: Learn Financial Statement Modeling, DCF, M\&A, [LBO](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/lbo-modeling-test-example-solutions/) and [Comps](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/comparable-company-analysis-comps/). The same training program used at top investment banks.
[Enroll Today](https://www.wallstreetprep.com/self-study-programs/premium-package/) |
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