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An income statement is one of the essential financial documents for any business, offering a clear snapshot of a company’s financial health. Understanding and effectively using an income statement is crucial for small businesses to monitor profitability and make informed financial decisions. In this article, we will break down what an income statement for small business is, how it works, and why it is a key tool in financial management.
\n\n\n\nAn income statement also called a profit and loss statement (P&L), summarizes a business’s revenues, expenses, and profits over a specific period. Unlike a balance sheet, which shows a company’s financial position at a single point in time, the income statement covers a defined time frame, such as a month, quarter, or year. It reveals whether a business is operating at a profit or a loss, helping small business owners understand their financial standing.
\n\n\n\nEvery income statement for small businesses follows a standard structure, with a few essential components that provide detailed insights into the company’s performance. Here’s a breakdown:
\n\n\n\nThe revenue section is typically the first item on the income statement. It represents the total sales or income generated from the business’s products or services during the reporting period. For small businesses, it’s important to track all income streams, including both operating and non-operating revenue. Monitoring revenue over time helps you understand the growth and performance of your business.
\n\n\n\nCOGS refers to the direct costs of producing or selling goods and services. This includes materials, labor, and any other expenses directly related to production. By subtracting COGS from revenue, you can calculate the business’s gross profit. For small businesses, reducing COGS can have a significant impact on profitability. Learn more about COGS in our article “COGS vs Operating Expenses: What is the Difference?”.
\n\n\n\nGross profit is calculated by subtracting COGS from revenue. It reflects a company’s profit after deducting the costs directly related to production. A higher gross profit indicates efficient production and sales processes. Understanding this number allows small business owners to gauge how well they are managing production costs.
\n\n\n\nOperating expenses encompass all the costs that a business incurs to run its day-to-day operations, excluding COGS. Common operating expenses include rent, utilities, marketing, salaries, and office supplies. Keeping track of operating expenses is crucial for small businesses to manage their overhead effectively. For more detailed guidance on managing and tracking these expenses, check out our article “How to Keep Track of Business Expenses for Your Small Business”.
\n\n\n\nEarnings before tax (EBT) shows the income earned by the business before taxes are deducted. This number is calculated by subtracting operating expenses from gross profit. It serves as a clear indicator of the company’s profitability before tax obligations come into play.
\n\n\n\nNet income is the final figure on the income statement and shows whether the business has made a profit or incurred a loss during the reporting period. It is calculated by subtracting all expenses, including taxes and interest, from the total revenue. A positive net income indicates profitability, while a negative figure means the business is operating at a loss.
\n\n\n\nThere are two primary types of income statements commonly used by small businesses: single-step and multi-step. Choosing the right one depends on the complexity of the business and the level of detail required.
\n\n\n\nA single-step income statement simplifies the reporting process by listing all revenue items together and then subtracting all expenses in one calculation. It is ideal for smaller businesses with straightforward operations and minimal complexity. This type of statement is easier to prepare but offers limited detail for deeper financial analysis.
\n\n\n\nA multi-step income statement provides more detailed financial information by separating operating and non-operating activities. It includes intermediate calculations, such as gross profit and operating income, making it useful for businesses with more complex operations. A multi-step income statement demonstrates financial maturity and operational efficiency for small businesses seeking investment or loans.
\n\n\n\nCreating an income statement involves several steps. Whether you’re using a small business income statement template or preparing one manually, here are the key steps to follow:
\n\n\n\nSelect the period you want to cover in the income statement. This could be monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on your needs. Regular income statements allow small business owners to track financial performance and make timely adjustments.
\n\n\n\nCollect all the necessary financial data, including revenue, COGS, operating expenses, and any non-operating income or expenses. Accurate data collection is essential for producing a reliable income statement.
\n\n\n\nSubtract COGS from the total revenue to calculate the gross profit. This step provides insight into the business’s ability to manage production and operational costs effectively.
\n\n\n\nNext, subtract operating expenses from the gross profit to determine the operating income. This figure shows how well the business is performing before taxes and other non-operating costs are taken into account.
\n\n\n\nFinally, taxes, interest, and other non-operating expenses are accounted for to calculate the net income. This is the final figure that shows whether the business is profitable or not.
\n\n\n\nFor small businesses, an income statement is much more than a financial report. It is a tool that provides a clear picture of profitability, highlights areas where costs can be reduced, and helps businesses make data-driven decisions. Regularly reviewing income statements can help small business owners:
\n\n\n\nUnderstanding your small business income statement is essential for making informed decisions, attracting investors, and managing profitability. Whether you are preparing for funding or looking to optimize your operations, having a clear grasp of your financials is crucial.
\n\n\n\nModeliks can simplify the process with our comprehensive financial planning tools, helping you create professional income statements and reports effortlessly. Ready to take control of your business finances?
\n\n\n\nSign up for Modeliks today and streamline your financial planning for success.
\n","slug":"income-statement-for-small-business","date":"2024-09-18T11:17:03","categories":{"nodes":[{"id":"dGVybToxMQ==","name":"Business Plans"}]},"mainCategory":{"mainCategory":["business-plans"],"videoHeader":null},"tags":{"nodes":[{"name":"business planning"},{"name":"financial modeling"},{"name":"small business"}]},"featuredImage":{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDozMzA3","sourceUrl":"/images/cms/small-business-income-statement.jpg","altText":"Modeliks Guide how to create and understand an income statement for small business, helping owners track revenue, expenses, and profitability."}},"seo":{"metaDesc":"Learn how to create an income statement for small business. Understand revenues, expenses, and profits to manage your finances effectively."},"modified":"2024-09-18T11:17:03","related":[{"id":"cG9zdDoxMTU0MQ==","title":"How Accountants Can Offer High-Margin Advisory Services","content":"\nThe accounting profession is shifting. Compliance and bookkeeping remain essential, but today’s clients expect more. They want guidance on how to run their business smarter, manage cash flow, and plan for the future.
\n\n\n\nAccording to a CPA.com survey:
\n\n\n\nThis means the demand is already there. The opportunity for accounting firms is clear: move beyond bookkeeping into high-margin advisory services.
\n\n\n\nFor most small and mid-sized firms, the hesitation is simple:
❌ Limited staff time
❌ No standardized tools for forecasting & reporting
❌ Concern about overcomplicating workflows
The good news? Advisory can be delivered at scale, without adding headcount or creating inefficiencies — if you have the right system.
\n\n\n\nModeliks helps accountants transform their existing relationships into advisory partnerships by automating the heavy lifting.
\n\n\n\nHere’s how it works in practice:
\n\n\n\n1️⃣ Connect QuickBooks in Minutes
Sync client actuals directly — no messy spreadsheets or manual imports.
2️⃣ Build Budgets & Automated Financials
Instantly generate a forward-looking P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statement, tailored to each client.
3️⃣ Deliver Dashboards & Variance Analysis
Clients see Actual vs. Plan vs. Previous Periods. You provide insight into why numbers moved — without building reports from scratch each month.
Firms using Modeliks see:
✅ New revenue streams by offering planning & reporting as premium packages
✅ Higher client retention thanks to consistent value beyond compliance
✅ No extra headcount required, since processes are automated
✅ Improved positioning as trusted advisors, not just bookkeepers
As one accountant put it:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“Our clients can now make confident decisions. For us it’s a game-changer — we finally sell insight, not just compliance.”
\n
Client expectations are rising. Competitors are moving into advisory. Technology makes it easier than ever to scale.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re an accountant or firm owner, now is the time to position your practice for the next decade. Advisory services are not just an add-on — they’re the future of accounting.
\n\n\n\n📽️ Watch the full video playbook here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlQEwnWOdKQ.
🌐 Explore how Modeliks can help you launch advisory services in under an hour -> HERE.
📩 Or reach out to us directly to explore how Modeliks can be tailored for your firm.
\n\n\n\nEnjoy Modeliks! We know we are!
\n\n\n\nAuthor:
Modeliks Team
Running a professional services business is demanding. Whether you’re a founder, consultant, accountant, or finance leader, the challenges are similar:
\n\n\n\nThe truth? Many services firms outgrow spreadsheets faster than they realize. A project-based business requires a planning and reporting framework that adapts as you grow – not one that breaks every time a new client, project, or team member comes onboard.
\n\n\n\nThat’s where having a structured financial planning and reporting system becomes a game-changer.
\n\n\n\nThis strategic framework is designed for:
\n\n\n\nIf you run a project-based business, use timesheets, or manage multiple clients, this playbook is for you.
\n\n\n\nProfessional services firms often face profitability challenges because margins are tied to capacity, efficiency, and client mix. Here’s where the right planning approach makes a difference:
\n\n\n\nEach project has its own revenue, costs, and resources. Without project-level visibility, it’s impossible to know which work is actually profitable.
\n\n\n\nIt’s not enough to create a yearly budget. Monthly actuals vs. plan reporting helps you quickly see where projects are off track and adjust before problems snowball.
\n\n\n\nWhat happens if a big client leaves? Or if you add two more consultants next quarter? Scenario planning gives you the confidence to make tough decisions with numbers to back them up.
\n\n\n\nEmployee utilization is the heartbeat of a services firm. By linking financial forecasts to billable hours, staffing, and client demand, you can identify bottlenecks and prevent costly underutilization.
\n\n\n\nAt Modeliks, we’ve built a platform that turns these best practices into a structured, repeatable process.
\n\n\n\nWith Modeliks, you can:
\n\n\n\nMost firms wait until they have 100+ employees to rethink planning. But the truth is, dimensional planning and reporting matters at 20 employees, as much as at 200.
\n\n\n\nThe earlier you set up a scalable framework, the faster you can:
\n\n\n\nGrowing a professional services business isn’t just about winning more clients — it’s about building a system that lets you manage projects, measure performance, and grow profitably.
\n\n\n\nThat’s what this playbook is about — and why we built Modeliks.
\n\n\n\n👉 If you want to see how Modeliks can help you manage and grow your services firm, watch the full video walkthrough here.
\n\n\n\n📩 Or reach out to us directly to explore how Modeliks can be tailored for your firm.
\n\n\n\nEnjoy Modeliks! We know we are!
\n\n\n\nAuthor:
Modeliks Team
Today we released a massive new update of Modeliks. A multidimensional Modeliks 2.0. I am both happy and sad to see Modeliks grow up. I liked baby Modeliks. He was cute and a little clumsy. Now, we created a beast.
\n\n\n\nWe listened to your feedback and made Modeliks by far the best financial planning and reporting tool for SMEs. Alright, I might be a bit subjective, but here is what’s new:
\n\n\n\nAnd there is a lot more to come in the next few months. Stay tuned for new features, and in the mean-time, plan, manage and grow your business with Modeliks 2.0.
\n\n\n\nLet’s recap. Now you can:
\n\n\n\nEnjoy Modeliks 2.0! We know we are!
\n\n\n\nAuthor:
Modeliks Team