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All architectural practices should seek to make a profit each financial year. Normally, a profit is achieved if there is a surplus of earnings over costs. Profit is distributed to a company’s shareholders or the partners in a partnership. Shareholders or partners salaries will be included as costs, the total income of the architect who is a partner (business owner) will be the sum of their salary plus their share of the profit. For further detail, refer to Acumen note Profit and profitability.
Many expressions related to 'profit' are variable in interpretation. The following explanations and concepts apply to some expressions used in relation to profit.