By Content Team
Updated on: January 11, 2024
For small business owners, understanding the financial health of your company is crucial. At the heart of this understanding lies the concept of net income, a vital metric that measures your business’s profitability over a given period. Net income is the amount of money remaining after all business expenses, including cost of goods sold (COGS), operating expenses, depreciation, amortization, interest expense, and income taxes, are subtracted from your total revenue.
The net income formula is relatively straightforward:
Net Income = Total Revenue – Total Expenses
Total expenses include COGS, operating expenses, interest expenses, and taxes. Let’s break down the components:
Total Revenue: The total amount of revenue generated from sales and other sources like interest income.
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): The direct costs attributed to the production of the goods sold, including raw materials and labor.
Operating Expenses: Costs related to the day-to-day business operations, such as administrative expenses and operating costs.
Depreciation and Amortization: These account for the loss in value of assets over time.
Interest Expense and Taxes: Costs associated with debt and obligatory tax payments.
Let’s say your small business had sales revenue of $500,000 last year. Your COGS was $200,000, operating expenses totaled $150,000, depreciation and amortization were $50,000, and interest and taxes amounted to $40,000. Your net income would be calculated as follows:
Net Income = $500,000 – ($200,000 + $150,000 + $50,000 + $40,000) = $60,000
It’s important to distinguish between net profit and gross profit. Gross profit is calculated as Total Revenue – COGS, focusing solely on production costs, while net profit (or net income) considers all expenses, providing a more comprehensive view of profitability.
Your income statement is the primary document for tracking net income. It lists all revenues and expenses, culminating in the net income figure at the bottom of the income statement. On the balance sheet, net income contributes to the equity section as retained earnings, indicating the total amount of profits kept in the business after distributions to owners or shareholders.
While the principles remain the same, calculating net income for individuals differs slightly, primarily focusing on gross income minus taxable income and personal expenses.
For a small business, tools like cash flow statements, EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization), and net operating income calculations are essential. These tools provide deeper insights into the financial workings and sustainability of your business.
As you better understand your net income and thus, your working capital, you may find that you need to secure funding for your small business. While loans or lines of credit are common, merchant cash advances offer a preferable alternative. Unlike loans, they provide upfront sums based on future sales, typically involving simpler qualification criteria and faster access to funds, crucial for businesses with fluctuating cash flow.
Understanding and calculating net income is an essential skill for any small business owner. It not only helps in assessing the company’s profitability but also plays a critical role in making informed business decisions. With the right financial tools and prudent funding options like merchant cash advances, you can ensure the financial health and longevity of your business.
Remember, the journey to a healthy bottom line starts with a clear understanding of your net income.