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
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
In the second half of 2001, revelations of accounting fraud at the company caused investors to flee, leading to its bankruptcy.
—
Greg Farrell, Fortune, 28 May 2024
In 2020, federal prosecutors indicted Gabriel Hernández, who was running the Puerto Rico office of the accounting firm BDO USA, on wire fraud charges.
—Jesse Drucker, New York Times, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for accounting 
Greg Farrell, Fortune, 28 May 2024
In 2020, federal prosecutors indicted Gabriel Hernández, who was running the Puerto Rico office of the accounting firm BDO USA, on wire fraud charges.
—Jesse Drucker, New York Times, 28 May 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.
Dictionary Entries Near accounting
Cite this Entry
“Accounting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accounting. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
Case & Comment2
: the settlement by judicial action of the assets of a partnership (as upon dissolution)
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