Accounting Terminology Guide

The New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA) General Committee on Public Relations has prepared this glossary as an educational tool for journalists who report on and interpret financial information. We encourage your comments and suggestions as we continue to develop materials to assist financial journalists. How to Use this Guide Capitalized terms that appear within definitions of other terms are also defined in this guide. Related terms are cross-referenced to provide a clearer understanding of their interdependent relationships. Commonly used acronyms (e.g., IRS) are listed in their abbreviated forms and defined as the complete term (e.g., Internal Revenue Service).