By classifying by function
Under this format, the expenses of the company are classified into 5 major categories i.e.
- Cost of sales [(opening stock + purchases – closing stock) and deprecation]
- Distribution costs (transport costs, selling expenses, commission, provision for bad debts etc)
- Administration expenses (salaries and wages, telephone, rates, postage, rent etc, goodwill amortization)
- Other expenses (all other not falling under the above) groups of expenses)
- Finance cost (interest on loan and bank overdraft, interest on finance lease, dividends on redeemable preference shares).