February 11, 2025

Key Differences Between Turnover And Profit You Need To Know

Introduction


Turnover (also known as net sales) refers to the revenue of a business firm from sales within a certain period of time. For example, if a company sells 100 items at $ 60 each , then total turnover of the company is $ 6000. On the other hand, profit refers to the financial gain or money left after deducting all variable and fixed expenses and taxes from turnover. 


Key Differences Between Turnover And Profit


The main dissimilarities or difference between turnover can be described as follows:


1. Meaning


Turnover: It is a total amount of money a company makes by selling products or services within a specific period

Profit: It is a total amount of money a company saves after deducting all expenses from turnover


2. Represents


Turnover: It represents total revenue generated from sales

Profit: It represents total earnings after subtracting all the expenses


3. Formula


Turnover: It can be determined by using following formula:

Turnover = Total Number Of Unit Sold X Per Unit Selling Price

Profit : It can be calculated by using following formula:

Profit = Total Revenue (Turnover) - Cost Of Goods Sold

difference-turnover-profit


4. Reflect


Turnover: It shows efficiency of business operations

Profit: It shows the financial health


5. Position In Income Statement


Turnover: It appears at the top of the income statement

Profit: It appears at the bottom of the income statement


6. Affected By


Turnover: It is affected by demand, sales volume , price etc.

Profit: It is affected by operational efficiency, tax rate, expenses etc.


Turnover Vs Profit (Comparison Table)


Basis For Difference

Turnover

Profit

Represents

Total revenue generated from sales

Money left after deducting all expenses

Formula

Units sold X Selling price

Turnover – Cost of goods sold

Reflects

Scale of operation

Financial health

Affected By

Sales, demand, price

Efficiency, tax, costs

Appear in income statement

At the top

At the bottom


Distinction Between Turnover And Profit Explained In Short

* Turnover indicates total sales of a business within a specific period but profit reflects the earnings left after deducting all the expenses from total turnover.

* Turnover measures the sales volume. On the other hand profit measures earnings for the specific period of time.

* Turnover shows business efficiency and profit shows financial efficiency of the firm

* Turnover is reported on the top line of the financial statement but profit is positioned in the bottom line.