Which financial statement provides an overview of revenue and expenses for a fiscal period?

The income statement is designed to summarize the revenues and expenses of a business over a specified fiscal period, such as a quarter or a year. It shows how much money the company earned from its operations (revenues) and what it spent to generate that income (expenses). The result of this calculation reveals the net income or loss for the period, providing critical insight into the company's financial performance.

In contrast, the balance sheet offers a snapshot of a company's financial position at a specific point in time, detailing its assets, liabilities, and equity. The cash flow statement focuses on the inflow and outflow of cash, showcasing how well a company generates cash to fund its obligations and expand its operations. The statement of changes in equity tracks changes in ownership equity over a period, reflecting factors like issued shares and retained earnings, rather than the operational performance reflected in the income statement. Therefore, the income statement is the primary financial statement for assessing revenue and expenses over a particular time frame.