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

With hydropower accounting for 80 percent of production as of 2024, supply dwindles in the dry season from March to August.

From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026

"By accounting for the scattering and absorption by the cloud particles and atmosphere, the model allows us to estimate how strongly the liquid of cloud droplets itself must absorb light."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 13, 2026

The BLS said gasoline prices rose 3.9% last month alone, accounting for more than a third of inflation overall.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

Establishing and administering a trust can involve significant legal, accounting and administrative expenses, and any investment income from that trust may be subject to high federal income-tax rates.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

“You don’t say! There’s no accounting for taste.”

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• bookkeeping
• computing