The Magazinist
Critical Thinking for Publishers
Chart of Accounts
There are probably as many magazine charts of accounts as there are magazines.  But why reinvent the wheel?  Here's one that's comprehensive and (relatively) compact.

Magazine Chart of Accounts

Revenue

Display Advertising Revenue

Classified Advertising Revenue

Insert Revenue

Other Advertising Revenue

Shortrates and Other Adjustments

Subtotal: Advertising Revenue

Subscription Revenue

Subscription Revenue Adjustments

Subtotal: Subscription Revenue

Gross Newsstand Revenue

Newsstand Returns (Current)

Newsstand Returns (Prior)

Wholesaler Allowances

Retail Display Allowance (RDA)

Subtotal: Newsstand Revenue

Back Issues Revenue

List Rental Revenue

Subtotal: Circulation Revenue

Reprint Revenue

Licensing Revenue

Merchandise Revenue

Other Revenue

Subtotal: Other Revenue

Total Revenue

Direct Expenses

Prepress

Printing

Binding

Paper

Subscriber Postage

Other Postage

Newsstand Distribution

Supplemental Mailing

Other Freight

Courier

Miscellaneous


Total Direct Expenses (Cost of Goods Sold)

Gross Margin

Operating Expenses

Production
Salaries

Special Compensation

Employee Benefits

Temporary Help

Travel and Entertainment

Contractors/Consultants

Reprint Expense

Miscellaneous

Subtotal: Production Expense

Circulation
Salaries

Special Compensation

Employee Benefits

Temporary Help

Travel and Entertainment

Contractors and Consultants

Credit Card Fees

Fulfillment

Business Reply Postage

New Subscription Development

Renewals or Requalifications

Newsstand Promotion

Audit Bureau Membership and Fees

Back Issue Expense

List Rental Expense

Miscellaneous

Subtotal: Circulation Expense

Marketing
Salaries

Special Compensation

Employee Benefits

Temporary Help

Travel and Entertainment

Contractors/Consultants

Advertising

Research

Materials

Merchandising

Public Relations

Inquiry Service

Event Exhibition

Promotion at Events

Miscellaneous

Subtotal: Marketing Expense

Editorial and Art
Salaries

Special Compensation

Employee Benefits

Temporary Help

Travel and Entertainment

Contractors and Consultants

In-House Graphics

Manuscripts

Other Author Payments

Photography and Artwork: ROP

Photography and Artwork: Covers

Research

Licensing Expense

Miscellaneous

Subtotal: Editorial Expense

Sales
Salaries

Commissions

Special Compensation

Employee Benefits

Temporary Help

Travel and Entertainment

Contractors and Consultants

Credit Card Fees

Merchandising

Miscellaneous

Subtotal: Sales Expense

General and Administrative
Salaries

Special Compensation

Employee Benefits

Temporary Help

Travel and Entertainment

Contractors and Consultants

Stationery and Supplies

Facility Expense

Dues and Subscriptions

Meetings

Computer Software

Computer Hardware

Computer Supplies

Equipment Rentals

Equipment Repairs

Telephone

Receivable Collection Services

Credit Card Fees

Bank Fees

Courier and Other Shipping

Office Postage

Depreciation

Miscellaneous

Subtotal: General and Administrative

Total Operating Expenses

Bad Debt Expense
Advertising Bad Debt

Newsstand Bad Debt

Other Bad Debt

Subtotal: Bad Debt Expense

Total Expense
Contribution