Accounting

/əˈkaʊntɪŋ/

nounIntermediate🔥Very CommonBusiness
1 meaning1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

1

The process of recording, summarizing, and reporting financial transactions.

/əˈkaʊntɪŋ/

nounneutralIntermediate
Business

The systematic recording and reporting of financial transactions

Accurate accounting is essential for tax purposes.

💡 Simply: Keeping track of money coming in and going out.

More Examples

2

She studied accounting in college and now works for a large firm.

How It's Used

Business

"The company's accounting department is responsible for preparing financial statements."

Finance

"Good accounting practices are crucial for maintaining financial stability."

Idioms & expressions

cook the books

To falsify financial records.

"The CEO was arrested for cooking the books to hide company losses."

From Old French *compter (to count), from Latin *computare (to compute). The modern English word evolved through the Middle English 'acounting', reflecting a gradual shift in meaning and usage.

The term 'accounting' has evolved from simply counting to encompass a broad range of financial management practices.

Memory tip

Think 'counting' the accounts – that's what accounting is all about.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to compute"

accounting principlesaccounting softwarefinancial accountingmanagement accounting

Common misspellings

acountingaccounttingaccointing

Usage

20%Spoken
80%Written