accounting

noun

ac·​count·​ing ə-ˈkau̇n-tiŋ 

1

: the system of recording and summarizing business and financial transactions and analyzing, verifying, and reporting the results

also : the principles and procedures of this system

studied accounting as a freshman

2

a

: work done in accounting or by accountants

b

: an instance of applied accounting or of the settling or presenting of accounts

3

: account sense 2

They were required to provide a detailed accounting of their actions.

Synonyms of accounting

• explanation
• reason

Examples of accounting in a Sentence

what accounting can you give for your bizarre actions on the night in question?

Recent Examples on the Web

Republican lawmakers have criticized Newsom’s budget as based in accounting gimmicks, and one that does not address meaningful financial problems as the governor is broadly known to be considering a presidential campaign in 2028. —Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026

The Pretendian hunters were not always interested in a full accounting of the facts before pronouncing a person legitimately Native or a fraud. —David Treuer, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026

Bradley Pearce, chief accounting officer, will serve as interim CFO and still perform his current role while an external search is conducted to identify a permanent successor. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026

However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. —Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acountynge "reckoning, calculation," from gerund of accounten "to account entry 2"

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing accounting

• cost accounting
• there's no accounting for taste

Rhymes for accounting

• amounting
• discounting
• dismounting
• recounting
• surmounting
• counting
• mounting

Kids Definition

accounting

noun

ac·​count·​ing ə-ˈkau̇nt-iŋ 

1

: the system or practice of recording the amounts of money made and spent by a person or business

2

: a statement explaining one's conduct : account sense 5a

Legal Definition

accounting

noun

ac·​count·​ing

1

: an often court-ordered presentment or examination of accounts

a complete accounting would be necessary to determine the nature of the expenditures

—Case & Comment

2

: the settlement by judicial action of the assets of a partnership (as upon dissolution)