Turnover: meaning, types and more

Accounting is a significant part of a business. The balance sheet assist the business in knowing whether it makes profits or is drowning in losses. In this article, we will explore the meaning of turnover in accounting, its importance, and other related concepts.

What is turnover?

Turnover is a fundamental concept in accounting that refers to the total amount of revenue generated by a business over a specific period. It is a key indicator of a company’s financial health and performance and is used to calculate important financial ratios such as the gross profit margin and the inventory turnover ratio.

Understanding turnover in accounting 

Turnover is a critical financial concept in accounting that refers to the total amount of revenue generated by a business over a specific period, usually a year. In simple terms, it is the amount of money a company brings in from its sales activities. Turnover is one of the key performance indicators (KPIs) that businesses use to track their financial performance, and it provides valuable insights into a company’s ability to generate revenue and manage its operations.

Types of turnover

There are two main types of turnover: the turnover of goods or services, and the turnover of assets. The turnover of goods or services refers to the amount of revenue generated from the sale of products or services, while the turnover of assets refers to the number of times that a company’s assets are converted into revenue.

Businesses use turnover as a measure of their performance because it is a quick and easy way to gauge how well they are doing. A high turnover rate is generally seen as a positive sign, as it indicates that a company is generating a lot of revenue from its sales activities. On the other hand, a low turnover rate could indicate that a company is struggling to generate revenue, and may need to adjust its sales and marketing strategies.

Why turnover matters 

Turnover is an important KPI in measuring a business’s financial performance, as it provides insights into its ability to generate revenue and manage its operations effectively. By analyzing turnover, businesses can identify trends and make informed decisions about their operations and growth strategies.

One way to use turnover as a KPI is to compare it to previous periods, such as the previous year or quarter. This allows businesses to see whether they are growing, stagnating, or declining in terms of revenue generation. It can also help businesses identify seasonal trends in their sales and adjust their operations accordingly.

Another way to use turnover as a KPI is to compare it to industry averages or benchmarks. This can help businesses assess how they are performing relative to their competitors and identify areas for improvement. For example, if a business has a lower turnover rate than its competitors, it may need to adjust its pricing or marketing strategies to increase sales.

Turnover can also be used to calculate other important financial ratios, such as the gross profit margin. The gross profit margin is the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting the cost of goods sold. By dividing the gross profit by the turnover, businesses can calculate their gross profit margin and assess their profitability.

Calculating gross profit margin using turnover 

Calculating the gross profit margin using turnover is a useful technique for businesses to assess their profitability. The gross profit margin is the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting the cost of goods sold (COGS). It provides insights into a company’s ability to generate profit from its sales activities.

To calculate the gross profit margin using turnover, businesses need to first determine their COGS and gross profit. The COGS includes the direct costs associated with producing or acquiring the products or services sold by the business. Gross profit, on the other hand, is the revenue generated by the business minus the COGS.

Once the COGS and gross profit are determined, businesses can use the following formula to calculate the gross profit margin:

Gross Profit Margin = (Gross Profit / Turnover) x 100

The result is a percentage that represents the proportion of revenue that remains after deducting the COGS. A higher gross profit margin indicates that a business is generating more profit from its sales activities, while a lower gross profit margin may indicate that a business is struggling to generate profit from its sales.

By regularly calculating the gross profit margin using turnover, businesses can identify trends and make informed decisions about their pricing, marketing, and operations. For example, if a business’s gross profit margin is declining, it may need to adjust its pricing or reduce its COGS to maintain profitability. Alternatively, if a business’s gross profit margin is increasing, it may be able to invest more in growth and expansion.

Analyzing inventory turnover ratio: insights for businesses 

The inventory turnover ratio is another important financial metric that businesses can use to assess their operations and profitability. The inventory turnover ratio measures how many times a company sells and replaces its inventory over a specific period, usually a year. It is calculated by dividing the cost of goods sold (COGS) by the average inventory value.

A high inventory turnover ratio indicates that a company is efficiently managing its inventory, selling its products quickly, and restocking inventory at an appropriate pace. On the other hand, a low inventory turnover ratio could indicate that a company is holding onto inventory for too long, which can tie up capital and lead to increased storage costs.

By analyzing the inventory turnover ratio, businesses can identify trends and make informed decisions about their inventory management practices. For example, if a business’s inventory turnover ratio is declining, it may need to adjust its purchasing or production practices to better match customer demand. Alternatively, if a business’s inventory turnover ratio is increasing, it may be able to reduce its inventory levels and associated costs.

Turnover vs. Profit: which is most important?

Turnover and profit are both important financial metrics for businesses, but they serve different purposes and provide different types of insights. Turnover, also known as revenue, represents the total amount of money generated by a business from its sales activities. Profit, on the other hand, is the amount of money that remains after deducting all expenses, including COGS, operating expenses, and taxes.

While both turnover and profit are important, businesses should prioritize profit over turnover. Profit is a better measure of a company’s financial health and sustainability, as it reflects the amount of money that a business can reinvest in its operations, pay dividends to shareholders, and save for future growth.

A high turnover with low profits can be detrimental to a business, as it may indicate that a business is selling products at a low margin, or that it is experiencing high overhead costs that are eating into profits. In contrast, a business with lower turnover but higher profits is likely to be more sustainable and have better long-term prospects.

That being said, turnover and profit should not be viewed in isolation, and both metrics should be analyzed together to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a business’s financial performance. For example, a business with high turnover and high profits may be experiencing strong growth and profitability, while a business with low turnover and low profits may be struggling to attract customers or maintain competitiveness in the market.

Conclusion 

Understanding turnover and its related metrics is essential for businesses to assess their financial health, profitability, and overall operations. By regularly analyzing turnover, businesses can gain insights into their sales performance, inventory management, and pricing strategies, which can inform decisions about future growth and sustainability.