Showing results for "accounting"

• present participle of account.

accounting

American  

[uh-koun-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

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

But that will take time, and the United States remains Canada's largest trading partner by far, accounting for roughly 70 percent of Canadian exports.

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

LA28 announced Friday it sold more than 6 million tickets during its first two drops, accounting for more than half of the expected Olympic ticket availability.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

In Kissinger’s accounting, Kushner’s only qualifications were that he went to college, was a businessman and knew the president.

From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026

Kubasik worked in public accounting, eventually becoming a partner at Ernst & Young, before joining Lockheed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

He used to arrive late to their accounting class with singular excuses—a cow’s lack of appetite, the difficult birth of two foals.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García

Related Words

• bookkeeping
• computing