Search
Close this search box.

Table of Contents

Expense



Definition

Expense is a financial term that refers to the cost incurred in the process of conducting business or producing goods or services. It could be fixed, variable, accrual, or operation costs, among others. Expenses reduce a company’s income and hence its potential profits.

Phonetic

The phonetic pronunciation of the word “Expense” is: ɪkˈspɛns

Key Takeaways

  1. Expense Definition: An Expense is a cost that is ‘paid’ or ‘remitted’ , usually in exchange for something of value. It’s the money you spend on things – both necessities like rent and luxuries like vacations.
  2. Expense Types: Expenses can be categorized into different types such as fixed expenses (those that don’t change from month to month, like rent), variable expenses (those that fluctuate each month, like groceries or gas), and unexpected expenses (like medical emergencies or car repairs).
  3. Expense Management: It’s crucial to manage and track your expenses to ensure financial stability and success. This can include budgeting, expense tracking, and planning for future expenses.

Importance

The term “expense” is central to business/finance as it is a primary component in determining a company’s financial health and profitability. Expenses encompass the money a business spends on operations, investments, and efforts to generate revenue. By tracking and managing expenses, businesses can control costs, navigate financial challenges, and make strategic decisions to increase profit margins. Furthermore, understanding expenses is critical for tax and financial reporting purposes. It provides analytical information for investors, financial institutions, and stakeholders to assess a company’s operational efficiency and financial stability. Therefore, accurate management of expenses is crucial for both short-term and long-term business sustainability.

Explanation

The primary purpose of an expense in finance and business is to reflect the cost incurred in an operation or project in order to generate revenue. These costs can be towards material goods, services, employee salaries, utilities, rent and more. These costs are essential to keep the business running and often directly influence the quality of products or services a business offers. Essentially, an expense is part of an investment that a business makes with the expectation that it will contribute to future earnings. Expenses are a pivotal part of not just day-day business budgeting, but also in longer-term financial planning. Accurate expense tracking and forecasting facilitates better decision making in areas such as budget allocations, setting sales goals, and profitability targets. It also plays a crucial role in tax deductions as many business expenses can reduce a company’s taxable income, thus lowering their tax liability. Therefore, understanding and managing expenses effectively is critical for operational efficiency and financial health of any business entity.

Examples

1. Utility Bills: A bakery shop will have ongoing overhead costs such as electricity, water and gas bills to run their ovens, refrigerators, lights, and other appliances. These utility bills are considered an expense because they are necessary costs for the business to operate and these costs would be paid on a regular basis. 2. Payroll Costs: A retail store that employs staff to manage their store operations, from customer service to inventory management, will have to pay salaries or wages to these employees. These payroll costs are an example of an expense, as they represent money that the business needs to spend in order to maintain their operations. 3. Inventory Purchases: A car dealership business needs to purchase cars from manufacturers to sell to their customers. The money spent on purchasing these cars is considered an expense. This is a direct cost tied to their primary business activity and is considered a Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) expense.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

What is an Expense?
An Expense is a cost incurred in the course of making revenue. It can be either cash-based, like salaries, advertising, and rent, or depreciation, which reflects the loss of value of a long-term asset.
How is an Expense different from a Cost?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, they have different meanings in finance. A cost is the amount spent on a product or service, while an expense is the consumption of assets or anything that is used up to generate revenue.
What are the main types of Expenses?
Expenses are mainly categorized into two: operating expenses, such as salaries, rent, utilities, and non-operating expenses like interest on loans, which are not tied to the core business operations.
How do Expenses impact a company’s profit?
Expenses lower a business’s profit as they reduce the income earned. Explained under the income statement, total revenues minus total expenses equal net income or loss.
Do businesses aim to minimize expenses?
Yes, businesses aim to control or reduce expenses as much as possible without hampering operations or growth, as fewer expenses mean higher profit margins.
Why might a business have higher expenses in certain periods?
A business might have higher expenses due to higher production costs, entering a new market, increased advertising fees or hiring new employees, among other reasons. These are often investments for future growth.
Is it possible to have an expense without making a payment?
Yes, under accrual accounting, a company can incur an expense without making a payment. For example, when a business receives goods or services before it pays for them.
How do I record an expense in financial accounting?
Expenses are recorded on the income statement in the period they are incurred, regardless of when the payment is made. This is under the accounting principle known as the Matching Principle, which ensures that expenses are matched with the revenues of the same period.

Related Finance Terms

Sources for More Information


About Our Editorial Process

At Due, we are dedicated to providing simple money and retirement advice that can make a big impact in your life. Our team closely follows market shifts and deeply understands how to build REAL wealth. All of our articles undergo thorough editing and review by financial experts, ensuring you get reliable and credible money advice.

We partner with leading publications, such as Nasdaq, The Globe and Mail, Entrepreneur, and more, to provide insights on retirement, current markets, and more.

We also host a financial glossary of over 7000 money/investing terms to help you learn more about how to take control of your finances.

View our editorial process

About Our Journalists

Our journalists are not just trusted, certified financial advisers. They are experienced and leading influencers in the financial realm, trusted by millions to provide advice about money. We handpick the best of the best, so you get advice from real experts. Our goal is to educate and inform, NOT to be a ‘stock-picker’ or ‘market-caller.’ 

Why listen to what we have to say?

While Due does not know how to predict the market in the short-term, our team of experts DOES know how you can make smart financial decisions to plan for retirement in the long-term.

View our expert review board

About Due

Due makes it easier to retire on your terms. We give you a realistic view on exactly where you’re at financially so when you retire you know how much money you’ll get each month. Get started today.

Due Fact-Checking Standards and Processes

To ensure we’re putting out the highest content standards, we sought out the help of certified financial experts and accredited individuals to verify our advice. We also rely on them for the most up to date information and data to make sure our in-depth research has the facts right, for today… Not yesterday. Our financial expert review board allows our readers to not only trust the information they are reading but to act on it as well. Most of our authors are CFP (Certified Financial Planners) or CRPC (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor) certified and all have college degrees. Learn more about annuities, retirement advice and take the correct steps towards financial freedom and knowing exactly where you stand today. Learn everything about our top-notch financial expert reviews below… Learn More