The profit and loss (P&L) statement is a key financial document that summarizes the revenues, costs, and expenses of an organization over a specific period of time. It is used to assess the overall health of the organization, providing a clear analysis of the organization's current financial situation.

The P&L statement is used in conjunction with the balance sheet and the cash flow statement to create an overall picture of the company's financial performance. Together, these three financial statements provide investors and company shareholders with invaluable information about the company's financial position and spending habits.

The P&L statement can be prepared using either the cash or the accrual method of accounting. If a company uses the cash method, then revenues and expenses are only counted when the cash actually exchanges hands. But with the accrual method, the amounts owed to the company and the amounts payable to vendors are also considered revenues and expenses.

For meaningful results, it is important to compare the P&L statements from different accounting periods. This enables individuals to make more informed financial decisions, as any changes in revenue, cost, and expenses over time can be clearly seen.

In conclusion, the P&L statement is an invaluable tool when trying to make sense of a company's financial report. It is essential to use it in conjunction with the balance sheet and cash flow statement, as this provides an opportunity to analyse the overall financial health of the company in great detail. Comparing financial statements over different periods also helps to highlight any changes in revenue, cost, and expenses over time.