| Net profit is an accounting term which is commonly used in
business. It is equal to the gross revenue for a given time period minus associated
expenses.
A common synonym for "net profit" when discussing financial
reports (which include a balance sheet and an income statement) is the bottom line. This term results
from the traditional appearance of an income statement which shows all allocated revenues and expenses over a specified time
period with the resulting summation on the bottom line of the report.
In simplistic terms, net profit is the money left over after paying all the expenses of an endeavor. In practice this can get
very complex in large organizations or endeavors. The bookkeeper or accountant must itemize and allocate revenues and expenses properly to the specific
working scope and context in which the term is applied.
The gross margin percentage is a related ratio. This figure is
calculated by dividing net profit by gross revenue, and it represents profitability as a percentage.
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