What is the main difference between accounting profit and economic profit?

The main difference between accounting profit and economic profit lies in how each measure considers costs. Accounting profit refers to the total revenues minus explicit costs, which are the direct out-of-pocket expenses associated with running a business, such as wages, rent, and materials. This measure provides a clear picture of the firm's profitability based on financial transactions that are easily quantifiable.

In contrast, economic profit takes into account both explicit costs and implicit costs, which reflect the opportunity costs of resources employed. Opportunity costs represent the potential income that could have been generated had resources been allocated differently. By factoring in these opportunity costs, economic profit offers a more comprehensive view of a company's financial performance, as it reflects not just the actual profit but also the value of the next best alternative foregone.

This is why the correct response highlights that economic profit includes opportunity costs, while accounting profit does not, making it a critical concept for understanding true profitability in economic terms.