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
No confirmation hearings have been scheduled yet for Long, a career auctioneer with no college degree or formal training in tax, law or accounting.
—
Megan Poinski, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
The affliction is incurable, but Kevin treated his audience to detailed accountings of his treatments and of the status of his health, often with good humor, after he was first diagnosed in 2014.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
Applicants also should be proficient in Microsoft Office and social-media applications; friendly and polite to residents; flexible with their daily work schedule; have experience working in city government, and have experience in finance or accounting, the description states.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2025
Last week, the Office of Personnel Management sent a memo to department and agency heads demanding an accounting of time spent by employees in the last fiscal year on union matters such as contract negotiations and dispute resolutions.
—arkansasonline.com, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for accounting
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Megan Poinski, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
The affliction is incurable, but Kevin treated his audience to detailed accountings of his treatments and of the status of his health, often with good humor, after he was first diagnosed in 2014.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
Applicants also should be proficient in Microsoft Office and social-media applications; friendly and polite to residents; flexible with their daily work schedule; have experience working in city government, and have experience in finance or accounting, the description states.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2025
Last week, the Office of Personnel Management sent a memo to department and agency heads demanding an accounting of time spent by employees in the last fiscal year on union matters such as contract negotiations and dispute resolutions.
—arkansasonline.com, 8 Mar. 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 17 Mar. 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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