Accounting glossary

What is net income?

The P&L's bottom line: revenue minus everything — COGS, operating expenses, interest, depreciation. Net income rolls into retained earnings at year-end, which is how one year's work becomes next year's equity.

Example

Gross profit of $65,700 less operating expenses of $41,000 leaves $24,700 of net income — the bottom line for the period.

It is what remains after every cost, which is why it is the figure a lender or a buyer looks at first.

In SeroBooks

The year-end close performs that roll automatically, then locks the period. Year-end close

Nearby terms

Stop looking terms up. Start seeing them work.

Free to start, on Windows, Mac, iPad and Android. No credit card.

Start freeBook a demo