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

Thompson graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with degrees in business administration and accounting, according to his LinkedIn page. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025

Tuition, books, fees and supplies related to licensing programs, including exam prep and review materials for exams in law, accounting or finance. —Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2025

After adopting Basis’ software in 2024, accounting firm Wiss claimed a nearly 30% reduction in time spent on such jobs. —Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

In between her music gigs, Jeannie studied business management and accounting. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Aug. 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)