Purchases encompass all acquisitions of goods and services undertaken by a business. These may include raw materials for production, finished goods for resale, or services required for daily operations. Tracking purchases is crucial for financial accounting as they directly affect a company's expenses and profitability. For example, a retail store records its cost of acquiring inventory to evaluate its gross profit margin. Purchases are typically recorded when the goods are received or the services are rendered and can be compared against accounts payable to manage cash flow efficiently. Businesses often analyze their purchase patterns for budgeting and optimizing procurement processes.