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 They were engaged at the time of his death, according to Perry’s rep. Perry's Life Didn't Start Out Happy By Wappler's accounting, Perry was a down-to-earth man who kept his family life intensely private. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 CPAs have diverse opportunities in public accounting, corporate finance, and consultancy. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 White joined Marathon Oil in 1991 and has more than 30 years of experience in oil and gas accounting and finance. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 But the accountings make their point: Producing works of imagination has real-world consequences, just like producing anything else. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 Forbes Finance Council is an invitation-only organization for executives in successful accounting, financial planning and wealth management firms. Marc Cooper, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Navigating stigma The uptick in people seeking treatment and medication does not provide a full accounting of the impact of the pandemic on mental health because many are reluctant to seek help, particularly people of color, LGBTQ+ communities and people with disabilities. USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024 Any honest accounting of their play swerved once again Saturday night, and not in a way that would make any of them want to keep reading. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024 For example, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is a law that governs public companies' financial accounting and reporting. Jeffrey Wheatman, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

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

circa 1676, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Time Traveler
The first known use of accounting was circa 1676

Dictionary Entries Near accounting

Cite this Entry

“Accounting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accounting. Accessed 19 Mar. 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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