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.
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.com, 4 Apr. 2025
This reduction was mainly attributed to lower accounting and audit fees.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 4 Apr. 2025
The conclusions drawn by the inspector general echo limitations encountered by the CSU during its audit and a second forensic examination conducted by a third-party accounting firm, according to the report.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Shortly after taking command of the Continental Army in July 1775, General George Washington ordered an accounting of the patriots’ gunpowder stores.
—Mike Riggs, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
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Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
This reduction was mainly attributed to lower accounting and audit fees.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 4 Apr. 2025
The conclusions drawn by the inspector general echo limitations encountered by the CSU during its audit and a second forensic examination conducted by a third-party accounting firm, according to the report.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Shortly after taking command of the Continental Army in July 1775, General George Washington ordered an accounting of the patriots’ gunpowder stores.
—Mike Riggs, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accounting
Cite this Entry
“Accounting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accounting. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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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