
Essentially, it reports all the direct costs associated with manufacturing or obtaining sold products. It shows the expenses a company incurs in generating revenues for a period. The cost of goods sold is a metric to determine the gross profits within the income statement. These activity levels directly relate to the revenues a company earns. Nonetheless, this cost will vary based on the activity levels for a specific period. While the COGS is primarily a variable cost for companies, it may include fixed elements. However, it usually stays within a specific level for companies operating within the same industry. The cost of goods sold will differ from one company to another. However, they will also add labour and factor overheads to the COGS. For those companies, it will also include the acquisition costs of materials.

Moreover, companies involved in manufacturing will also report the COGS. For companies that acquire goods to resell them, the acquisition cost will be the primary expense in the COGS. The COGS may consist of the expenses associated with manufacturing or obtaining a product. Indirect Cost - What are the Key Difference? However, these costs must be direct to the manufacturing process. The COGS is also crucial in reporting any costs associated with the production process. Nonetheless, the primary premise of both will be the same. Those firms can use the cost of services instead. However, it does not cover the direct expenses of a service firm. The cost of goods sold applies to companies that sell physical stock. These costs contribute directly to the production process. Essentially, the COGS is a figure to report all production-related costs. However, it only includes the direct expenses associated with the process. Companies use this head to report any costs incurred on producing or obtaining products or services. The cost of goods sold (COGS) is an accounting classification of expenses based on their function. What does the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) mean? Before discussing them, it is crucial to understand what these expenses are. Once they do so, they may adjust it to reach the adjusted cost of goods sold. Usually, companies obtain this figure from accounting records. This amount is crucial in determining the gross profits for a specific period. The topmost expense classification within the income statement is the cost of goods sold. For that, it must also classify expenses into various classes. The income statement segregates the income of a company into different categories. Essentially, it includes the revenues, expenses and profits made from operations for a specific period. It reports on various aspects of a company’s financial performance. One of the crucial financial statements is the income statement. However, they must use the same formats provided by accounting standards and frameworks. For example, companies can prepare those statements monthly, quarterly or annually. On top of that, the interval for which they report those activities may also vary. This period may differ from one company to another.

Companies prepare financial statements to report their financial position and performance after every period.
