Accounting Dictionary: A Complete A–Z Learning Hub
Find clear definitions and practical explanations for accounting, bookkeeping, financial statement, auditing, tax, cost accounting, managerial accounting, and financial ratio terms. Browse alphabetically, explore terms by topic, or search for a specific concept.
What Is an Accounting Dictionary?
An accounting dictionary is a structured reference that explains accounting terminology in clear language. It helps students, bookkeepers, accountants, business owners, and financial statement users understand definitions, classifications, formulas, journal-entry effects, reporting locations, and practical examples.
Browse Accounting Terms A–Z
Select a letter to open the related accounting terms and definitions.
Browse Accounting Terms by Topic
Use topic-based collections to find related terms faster.
Basic Accounting Terms
Core concepts such as accounts, transactions, balances, periods, recognition, and measurement.
Explore Basic Terms →Asset Terms
Cash, receivables, inventory, property, equipment, intangibles, investments, and valuation terms.
Explore Asset Terms →Liability Terms
Payables, accruals, loans, bonds, leases, payroll obligations, taxes, and contingencies.
Explore Liability Terms →Equity Terms
Owner capital, common stock, paid-in capital, retained earnings, dividends, and treasury stock.
Explore Equity Terms →Revenue Terms
Sales, service revenue, recognition, deferred revenue, accrued revenue, gains, and net sales.
Explore Revenue Terms →Expense Terms
Operating expenses, cost of goods sold, depreciation, accruals, prepayments, and period costs.
Explore Expense Terms →Bookkeeping Terms
Source documents, journals, ledgers, reconciliations, receipts, invoices, and transaction records.
Explore Bookkeeping Terms →Debit and Credit Terms
Normal balances, T-accounts, double-entry rules, contra accounts, and posting terminology.
Explore Debit and Credit Terms →Journal Entry Terms
Simple, compound, adjusting, closing, reversing, opening, and specialized entries.
Explore Journal Entry Terms →Ledger and Trial Balance Terms
General ledger, subsidiary ledgers, posting, control accounts, balances, and trial balances.
Explore Ledger Terms →Financial Statement Terms
Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow, equity, comprehensive income, and disclosure terminology.
Explore Statement Terms →Financial Ratio Terms
Liquidity, profitability, solvency, efficiency, turnover, margin, and return measures.
Explore Ratio Terms →Cost Accounting Terms
Direct costs, indirect costs, overhead, job costing, process costing, standards, and variances.
Explore Cost Accounting Terms →Managerial Accounting Terms
Budgets, cost behavior, contribution margin, break-even, relevant costs, and decisions.
Explore Managerial Terms →Auditing Terms
Audit evidence, risk, materiality, controls, assertions, procedures, and audit opinions.
Explore Auditing Terms →Tax Terms
Taxable income, deductions, credits, withholding, payroll taxes, sales tax, and tax liabilities.
Explore Tax Terms →Essential Accounting Terms
Start with these frequently used accounting concepts and definitions.
Accounts Payable
Amounts owed to suppliers for goods or services purchased on credit.
View Definition → AAccounts Receivable
Amounts customers owe for goods or services provided on credit.
View Definition → AAccrued Expense
An expense recognized before the related cash payment is made.
View Definition → AAccrued Revenue
Revenue recognized before the related cash is collected.
View Definition → AAmortization
The systematic allocation of an intangible asset or financial amount over time.
View Definition → AAsset
A present economic resource controlled by an entity as a result of past events.
View Definition → BBook Value
The carrying amount of an asset, liability, or equity item in the accounting records.
View Definition → CCapital Expenditure
Spending that acquires or improves a long-term asset and is generally capitalized.
View Definition → CContra Account
An account that offsets the balance of a related account.
View Definition → CCurrent Asset
An asset expected to be realized, sold, or used within the operating cycle or short term.
View Definition → CCurrent Liability
An obligation expected to be settled within the operating cycle or short term.
View Definition → DDebit
An entry recorded on the left side of an account.
View Definition → DDepreciation
The systematic allocation of a depreciable asset’s cost over its useful life.
View Definition → EEquity
The residual interest in assets after deducting liabilities.
View Definition → EExpense
A decrease in economic benefits that reduces equity, excluding owner distributions.
View Definition → GGoodwill
An acquisition-related intangible asset reflecting benefits not separately recognized.
View Definition → GGross Profit
Net sales minus cost of goods sold.
View Definition → LLiability
A present obligation arising from past events that may require a resource outflow.
View Definition → NNet Income
The excess of recognized revenues and gains over expenses and losses for a period.
View Definition → RRetained Earnings
Cumulative corporate earnings retained after dividends and other adjustments.
View Definition → RRevenue
Income generated from ordinary activities such as sales or services.
View Definition → TTrial Balance
A list of ledger account balances used to compare total debits and credits.
View Definition → UUnearned Revenue
A liability arising when cash is received before the related revenue is earned.
View Definition → WWorking Capital
Current assets minus current liabilities.
View Definition →How to Use the Accounting Dictionary
Use the dictionary as a reference, study tool, and starting point for deeper accounting lessons.
Search the Term
Use the search box or choose the first letter of the accounting term.
Read the Definition
Identify the term’s meaning, account type, purpose, or reporting role.
Review the Example
Study calculations, journal entries, statement presentation, or practical use.
Continue the Topic
Open the related guide, Hub Page, exercise, calculator, or financial statement lesson.
Build a Strong Accounting Vocabulary
Accounting terms become easier when definitions are connected to account types, debit and credit rules, journal entries, financial statement locations, formulas, and practical examples. Use each definition as the starting point for deeper study.
Featured Accounting Dictionary Terms
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Latest Accounting Dictionary Entries
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Accounting Dictionary
What is an accounting dictionary?
An accounting dictionary is a reference that explains accounting and financial terminology through definitions, examples, formulas, classifications, and related concepts.
Who should use an accounting dictionary?
It is useful for accounting students, bookkeepers, accountants, business owners, financial statement users, exam candidates, and anyone learning financial terminology.
How are the terms organized?
Terms can be organized alphabetically from A to Z and by subject, including assets, liabilities, equity, bookkeeping, financial statements, ratios, auditing, and tax.
Does each term need its own article?
Important terms benefit from individual articles containing the definition, classification, accounting treatment, examples, related journal entries, financial statement presentation, and connected terms.
What should I study after reading a definition?
Continue to the related Hub Page or detailed guide, then apply the concept through examples, journal entries, exercises, quizzes, or calculators.
Continue with Accounting Basics
After reviewing accounting definitions, continue with Accounting Basics to study the accounting equation, account types, assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, expenses, debits, credits, and double-entry accounting.
Continue to Accounting Basics
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