accounting

noun

ac·​count·​ing ə-ˈkau̇n-tiŋ How to pronounce accounting (audio)
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.

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 The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace any professional or expert accounting and/or tax advice whatsoever. Melissa Houston, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Kennedy, the company’s chief accounting officer, assumed the CFO role on an interim basis. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024 At the same time, any bumps in the crew’s five-decade journey are gilded over with effusive but apparently earnest nostalgia; an in-depth excavation or an exhaustive accounting, this is not. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024 The intrigue: Interest in accounting and management programs has grown while marketing and business analytics programs have become less popular. Hope King, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for accounting 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accounting.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of accounting was in 1703

Dictionary Entries Near accounting

Cite this Entry

“Accounting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accounting. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

accounting

noun
ac·​count·​ing ə-ˈkau̇nt-iŋ How to pronounce accounting (audio)
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 expendituresCase & Comment
2
: the settlement by judicial action of the assets of a partnership (as upon dissolution)

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