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

• account
• argument
• case
• explanation
• rationale
• 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

Mental accounting often leads people to spend unexpected windfalls, such as lottery winnings or bonuses, on non-essential goods and experiences while treating regular income more conservatively. —Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

But, of course, there are also teaching positions, leadership jobs, positions in accounting, technology, marketing, development and housing. —Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025

Amid all that accounting, there will be new mortgages, rental agreements or other temporary housing paperwork. —Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025

The bigger accounting error was about $470,000 in expenditures not originally counted for the quarter. —A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 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

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)