Showing results for "accounting"

• present participle of account.

accounting

American  

[uh-kaun-ting] / əˈkaʊn tɪŋ /

noun

1. the theory and system of setting up, maintaining, and auditing the books of a firm; art of analyzing the financial position and operating results of a business house from a study of its sales, purchases, overhead, etc. (distinguished from bookkeeping).

2. a detailed report of the financial state or transactions of a person or entity.

   an accounting of the estate.

3. the rendering or submission of such a report.

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accounting British  

/ əˈkaʊntɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. the skill or practice of maintaining and auditing accounts and preparing reports on the assets, liabilities, etc, of a business

   2. ( as modifier )

      an accounting period

      accounting entity

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accounting Cultural  

1. The system of recording and auditing business transactions. (See audit.)

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Etymology

Origin of accounting

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; account + -ing ¹

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Explanation

Accounting is the act of computing something, usually by dealing with numbers. If you were very good at math in high school, you might think about going into accounting. You can see the word count within accounting, which is one way to remember that the word has to do with keeping track of numbers — usually in relation to financial transactions. Balancing your checkbook is a form of accounting. Large firms often hire accountants to keep track of their earnings and spending. Accounting can also more generally mean explaining. Someone who decides to wear shorts to the prom is likely going to have some serious accounting to do!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

accounting

A particular focus for investors is Texas, which Acree calls “the clear epicenter of the U.S. AI data-center buildout, with the state likely accounting for roughly 30% of national capacity additions” through 2028.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026

These products make up a substantial portion of children's diets, accounting for approximately 67% of the calories consumed by children in the United States.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 4, 2026

Revenue from services for tax, audit and accounting professionals similarly advanced 11% to $276 million.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

The garment industry generates nearly $40bn every year for Bangladesh, accounting for around 10% of its GDP.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

So we developed a software product called VTR— Virtual Tax Room—to enable these medium-size accounting firms to easily outsource tax returns.”

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman

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Related Words

• bookkeeping
• computing

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