[GNC] Question about Profit-Loss Report

Michael or Penny Novack stepbystepfarm at comcast.net
Mon May 31 10:41:31 EDT 2021


On 5/31/2021 10:10 AM, Howard M. Fried wrote:
> I have several invoices that were issued in 2020 but paid in 2021. 
> These funds are not included in a P&L report for 2021, apparently 
> because the report is based on date of invoice issue, or have I missed 
> something.
>
> Is it possible to get the 2020 Sales that were paid in 2021 into the 
> report for 2021?  Simply extending the Report date range backward is 
> not a solution because many invoices that were issued and paid in 2020 
> will be included.  Or am I to include unrealized assets for 2020 as 
> profit, like the P&L report does (I have no accounting, financial, or 
> legal experience in such matters).
>
> Thank you for considering,
> Howard Fried 


This is less of a gnucash question than a fundamentals of bookkeeping 
question. You need to look up/understand the essential differences 
between books kept on the "cash basis" and books kept under the "accrual 
basis".

You mention "invoice" and that means that you are using "accrual basis" 
since gnucash only supports invoices when using the "business features" 
and that means accrual basis. However it appears that you want want a 
P&L report on the cash basis << transactions dated as of when cash 
received or cash paid).

I will repeat, using software to partially automate your accounting does 
not mean that you can skip learning some of the fundamentals. This is 
especially true if you want/need reports both on the accrual basis and 
the cash basis.  Doing and undoing the adjustments you would need for 
that not easy.


Michael



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