Net Income 101 — and How to Track It in Beancount
· 5 min read
Of all the numbers that describe a business, one stands above the rest: net income. It’s the ultimate measure of profitability, the famous "bottom line." But what does it really mean, and how can you track it with precision using a plain-text accounting system like Beancount?
Let's break it down.
What Net Income Really Means
At its core, net income is the money left over after you’ve paid for absolutely everything required to run your business. This includes the cost of goods sold (COGS), all operating expenses, interest on debt, and taxes.
It’s the clearest single indicator of a company’s financial health. It’s a critical figure for everyone:
- Lenders look at it to gauge your ability to repay loans.
- Investors see it as the source of potential dividends or the capital available for growth.
- Founders rely on it to understand their financial runway and make strategic reinvestment plans.
A positive net income means you’re profitable. A negative one means you’re losing money. It’s that simple.