What is difference between period accounting and cost of sales accounting
Answers
Two accounting methods used for generating profitability statements are the cost-of-sales method and the period accounting method. Applying either method to a given set of business transactions under a given set of laws yields the same bottom-line result (profit) in concept. The difference is in how the overall profit and loss picture is presented.
Companies must choose to use one of these methods for generating their legal financial statements. The choice is often determined by country-specific legal requirements.
Cost-of-sales accounting
With this method, the emphasis is on matching the revenues for goods and/or services provided (the value that a company gains as a result of sales) against the related expenses for those items (the value that is lost when products are transferred out of the company). Therefore, this accounting method displays profit and loss information in a manner optimized for conducting margin analyses, and as such it is optimal for the sales, marketing, and product management areas.
Period accounting
With this method, the emphasis is on summarizing the activity and situational change over a period of time, for a given organizational unit. Therefore, this accounting method presents the revenues and primary expenses that have been incurred during a given period of time and the changes in stock value levels, work-in-process, and capitalized activities. As such, it is optimal for the production and profit center areas.