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

• 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

However, the stock is around 60% off that all-time high over concerns about its accounting and financial reporting. —Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 9 July 2025

Most businesses lack a dedicated business advisor, leaving a sizable advisory gap in a typical professional team which includes legal and accounting/tax on the corporate side and a wealth advisor, estate planner, and tax advisor on the personal side. —Kristin McKenna, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

At CrowdStrike, Buchanan most recently served as SVP of finance and capital markets during a 13-year tenure that began as an accounting manager. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 July 2025

Despite their presence, and the frequent visits from local television crews, so far there has been no official accounting of the accident, or of the dead. —Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025

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)