4. Explain how to report items in the income statement. Companies generally provide some detail on revenues and expenses on the face of the income statement but may prepare a condensed income statement with details on various components presented in the notes to the financial statements. Companies are required to classify expense either by nature or by function. Unusual and non-recurring items should be reported in income from operations, but financing cost are reported separate from operating revenues and expenses. Companies report the effects of discontinued operations of a component of a business as a separate item, after income from continuing operations.