Set up a simple profit and loss account for your business

Cost of sales

The cost of sales is the base cost of obtaining or creating your product.

This might include:

• the cost of stock you buy for resale
• components/raw materials to make your product
• labour to produce the product
• machine hire
• small tools
• other production costs

When you create your profit and loss account, you deduct your cost of sales from your overall sales, or turnover, to arrive at your 'gross profit'. This is your profit before deduction of expenses.

Cost of sales does not usually apply if you supply a service only.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Do all businesses have to produce formal profit and loss accounts?
• Profit reporting: how, when and where?
• Keeping accurate records
• Business income: sales
• Business income: other
• Recording business expenditure
• Cost of sales
• Business expenses
• Cost of equipment
• Profit and loss accounting periods and financial years

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