Deflator
A deflator is a statistical factor or device designed to remove the effect of inflation on economic variables, converting them into real, or constant-value, terms. It allows for a more accurate comparison across different time periods by accounting for changes in price levels.
Defunct Company
A defunct company is a business entity that has been wound up and has therefore ceased to exist. This could occur due to insolvency, voluntary dissolution by its owners, or other legal reasons.
Degression
Degression refers to a tendency to descend or decrease; it implies a progressive decline in an item, such as value, over time. An example includes the deterioration in a company’s market share for its product line.
Dehiring
Dehiring refers to the process of laying off, firing, or rejecting a previous hiring decision. It involves retracting the employment of an individual or group of employees after they have been hired.
Deindustrialization
Deindustrialization refers to the decline or elimination of industrial activity in a region or economy, often due to technological advancement, economic factors, and globalization. This phenomenon has impacted various industrial sectors, including steel, automotive, and electronics in the United States.
Delayed Exchange
A Delayed Exchange, also known as a Section 1031 Exchange or Tax-Free Exchange, allows investors to defer capital gains taxes on the sale of an investment property by reinvesting the proceeds into a similar property within a specified time frame.
Delayed Opening
Delayed opening refers to the postponement of the start of trading in a stock until a gross imbalance in buy and sell orders is overcome. This is often necessitated by a significant event such as a takeover offer.
Delegate
A delegate can refer to both the act of transferring authority to another person or the individual who is authorized to act on behalf of others. Delegation is crucial in various fields such as management, governance, and project management to ensure efficient functioning and responsibility sharing.
DELETE
DELETE is a command used in various computing environments to remove unwanted characters, objects from a document, or data from a storage medium. Although the reference to the data is removed, the actual data is not immediately erased but marked for overwriting.
Deleverage
Deleveraging is the process by which an entity reduces its level of debt by rapidly selling off assets or paying down loans, often in response to financial stress or in pursuit of a stronger balance sheet.
Delinquency
Delinquency refers to the state of being past due on a financial obligation but not yet in default. It is an important term in finance and can indicate the payment behavior of individuals or businesses.
Delinquency Rate
The delinquency rate is a statistical measure that indicates the percentage of loans with overdue payments within a loan portfolio. It is used to assess the financial health and risk exposure of the portfolio.
Delinquent
The term 'delinquent' refers to a financial obligation that is payable but overdue and yet unpaid. It can apply to various forms of payments, such as credit card bills, mortgage payments, and taxes. Delinquent accounts can lead to penalties and interest charges and might affect the credit score of the individual or entity responsible for the payment.
Delinquent Return
A delinquent return is a tax return that is not filed within the time prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code (due date). It may be subject to penalties based on the unpaid tax liability.
Delisting
Delisting refers to the removal of a company's stock from trading on an organized stock exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange. This can occur if the issuer fails to meet specific listing requirements or voluntarily chooses to delist.
Deliverables: The Reports a Consultant Expects to Prepare
Consultants are often tasked with producing various types of deliverables that provide value to their clients by summarizing findings, offering recommendations, and presenting actionable plans. These deliverables can significantly vary depending on the industry and specific consulting engagement.
Delivery
Voluntary transfer of title or possession from one party to another; legally recognized handing over to another of one's possessory rights.
Delivery Date
The delivery date is an important term used in various financial transactions, specifically in futures contracts and regular way transactions. Understanding this concept is crucial for participants in financial markets.
Delivery Lead Time
The interval between the placement of an order for replenishing stock and the receipt of that ordered item. It is a key metric in supply chain and inventory management, influencing operational efficiency.
Deloitte
Deloitte is one of the 'Big Four' international professional services firms providing audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax, and related services globally.
Delphi Technique
The Delphi Technique is a forecasting method used to predict a future event or outcome by eliciting expert opinions. Experts provide initial forecasts independently, followed by rounds of consensus to refine the predictions and discard extreme views.
Demand
Demand represents the economic expression of the desire and the ability to pay for goods and services. It is distinct from mere need or desire as it encapsulates the willingness to exchange value for varying amounts of goods or services, depending on the price asked.
Demand Curve
A graphical depiction of the demand schedule. It illustrates the relationship between the price of a good or service and the quantity demanded, typically resulting in a downward sloping curve due to higher quantity demanded at lower prices.
Demand Deposit
A demand deposit is an account balance that can be drawn upon without prior notice to the bank, utilizing various methods such as checks, cash withdrawals from ATMs, or electronic transfers.
Demand Loan
A demand loan is a type of loan that must be repaid upon the lender's request, rather than on a predetermined date.
Demand Note
A demand note is a financial instrument that is payable immediately upon the lender's request or on a specified date of maturity, without the necessity of further demand for payment.
Demand Price
The price that consumers are willing to pay in the market for a given quantity of output. It is derived from the demand schedule or demand curve.
Demand Schedule
A demand schedule is a table that showcases the relationship between the price of a good or service and the quantity demanded at different price levels. It is a fundamental concept in economics that helps illustrate consumer behavior and market dynamics.
Demand-Pull Inflation
Demand-pull inflation occurs when the aggregate demand in an economy outpaces the aggregate supply, leading to an increase in the general price level.
Demerger
A business strategy where a large company or group splits up into multiple independent companies, or sells off subsidiaries.
Demised Premises
Demised Premises refers to the property or section of property that is subject to a lease agreement. This term is commonly used in real estate and rental contracts, identifying the specifics of the leased property.
Demographics
Population statistics in regard to socioeconomic factors such as age, income, sex, occupation, education, family size, and the like. Advertisers often define their target market in terms of demographics; thus, demographics are a very important aspect of media planning in matching the media with the market. Each demographic category is broken down according to its characteristics.
Demolition
Demolition involves the destruction and removal of an existing structure from a site, which is a necessary step to prepare a site for new construction.
Demonetization
Demonetization refers to the withdrawal of a specific form of currency from circulation, rendering it no longer recognized as legal tender. This economic policy is often implemented to combat issues like corruption, counterfeit currency, and inflation.
Demoralize
Demoralize refers to a decrease in morale, which can be caused by factors such as lack of appreciation by superiors, layoffs, and salary givebacks. Addressing demoralization is crucial to maintain worker productivity, accuracy, and reduce employee turnover.
Demurrage
Demurrage is a charge levied on shipping vehicles when they are held by the consignor or consignee for an excessive amount of time beyond agreed laytime.
Demurrer
A Demurrer is a formal objection that the facts as stated in the pleadings, even if true, are not legally sufficient for the case to proceed further. It tests whether the complaint is sufficient to state a cause of action without admitting anything.
Demutualization
The act by which a mutual entity, such as a building society, changes its status to that of a public limited company.
Denomination
In finance, denomination refers to the face value of currency units, coins, and securities. It is an important concept in the fields of accounting, taxation, and investment.
Density
Density in real estate refers to the intensity of land use, often measured in terms of dwelling units or population per acre. It provides a way to quantify how densely populated or developed a particular area is.
Density Zoning
Density zoning refers to laws that restrict land-use intensity by regulating the number of buildings or units that can be placed within a specific area.
Dental and Vision Insurance
Employee insurance covering a part of the incurred cost for dental and vision care. The deductible portion and total coverage of the plans vary according to the insurer and the workplace.
Department
A discrete section of an organization under the responsibility of a department manager; separate costs and, where appropriate, income are allocated or apportioned to the department for the purposes of costing, performance appraisal, and control.
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
The UK government department responsible for consumer and competition policy, company legislation, employment law, science and research, higher education, and adult learning. Formed in 2009 from the merger of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).
Department Store
A large retail establishment offering a wide range of consumer goods in various product categories known as 'departments.'
Departmental Accounting
Departmental accounting involves the process of providing accounting information analyzed by department, allowing each department of an organization to function independently as a cost center, revenue center, or profit center. This enables department managers to assess their department's financial performance effectively.
Departmental Budget
A departmental budget is a financial plan that allocates resources to a specific department within an organization, accounting for its expected revenues, costs, and expenditures over a defined period.
Departmentalization
Departmentalization is the process of forming employees into groups to accomplish specific organizational goals. It can be organized based on the functions performed, products offered, type of customer, or geographic divisions.
Departure Permit
A Departure Permit, also known as a Sailing Permit, is a certificate of compliance from the IRS certifying that a departing alien has satisfied U.S. income tax laws.
Dependency Exemption
A Dependency Exemption allows taxpayers to deduct a specified amount for each dependent claimed on their tax return, reducing their overall taxable income. It is designed to assist families by acknowledging the financial responsibility involved in supporting dependents.
Dependent
A dependent is any person whom a taxpayer can claim a dependency exemption for, defined by the Internal Revenue Code as any individual supported by the taxpayer who is related to the taxpayer in specified ways or who makes their principal abode in the taxpayer's household.
Dependent Coverage
Protection under life and health insurance policies for dependents of a named insured, including a spouse and unmarried children under a specified age.
Dependent Variable
In the field of statistics, a dependent variable is the subject of an equation whose value depends on independent variables. Typically denoted as 'Y', the dependent variable is influenced or predicted by the independent variables, often denoted as 'X'.
Depletion
The systematic expensing of the cost of natural resources over their useful life. Depletion is often associated with extracting industries, such as mining, quarrying, and drilling.
Depletion Accounting
A method of calculating the depreciation of a wasting asset based on the rate at which it is being used. For example, a coal mine could be depreciated on the basis of the rate at which coal is extracted from it.
Deposit
A deposit is a sum of money paid upfront for various purposes, such as reserving a purchase, saving in a bank, or as a security in trading.
Deposit Account
A deposit account is a type of bank account held at a financial institution that allows the account holder to accumulate funds and earn interest, while typically requiring advance notice to withdraw money.
Deposit Account (DA)
A deposit account is a bank account that allows a person to deposit money and earn interest while keeping the funds accessible for withdrawals and transactions.
Deposit in Transit
Deposits in transit are checks or money that have been sent to a bank but have not yet been processed and recorded in the bank account or the monthly statement. These deposits need to be accounted for during bank reconciliation.
Deposit Insurance
Deposit insurance is a safety net provided to protect depositors' funds in the event of a bank failure. This system maintains public confidence in the banking system by ensuring that depositors' money is safe up to a certain limit, even if their bank ceases operations. It is typically offered by a government agency or a privately-operated insurance fund.
Depositary Receipt
Depositary Receipts (DRs) are financial instruments representing a foreign company's publicly traded securities, enabling easier investment opportunities by circumventing several barriers in investing directly in foreign markets.
Deposition
Deposition is a pretrial discovery method involving a witness's transcribed and sworn statement, under questioning by an attorney, with the opportunity for cross-examination by the opposing side.
Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act (DIDMCA)
The Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980 significantly reformed the banking industry by removing regulatory constraints and enhancing the Federal Reserve's control over monetary policy.
Depository Trust Company (DTC)
The Depository Trust Company (DTC) serves as a central securities repository where stock and bond certificates are exchanged, primarily electronically. It is owned by major banks, broker-dealers, and exchanges on Wall Street.
Deposits in Transit
Cash receipts that have arrived at a company's bank too late in the current month to be credited to the depositor's bank statement. These deposits require an adjustment on the bank reconciliation statement.
Depreciable Amount
The depreciable amount is the value of a fixed asset used as the basis for calculating the depreciation charge for a specific period.
Depreciable Asset
A fixed asset that is subject to depreciation to account for its loss in value over time. Depreciation is a systematic process of expensing the cost of tangible assets over their useful lives.
Depreciable Basis
The concept of depreciable basis is essential in determining the amount that can be depreciated for tax purposes. It represents the initial cost of an asset, including certain expenditures necessary to put the asset into use.
Depreciable Life
Depreciable Life refers to the period over which the cost of an asset is spread for tax purposes, or the estimated useful life of an asset for appraisal purposes.
Depreciable Real Estate
Depreciable real estate refers to property used in trade, business, or investment that is subject to depreciation deductions under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code. Land itself is generally not depreciable.
Depreciate
The process of systematically reducing the recorded cost of a tangible fixed asset over its useful life.
Depreciated Cost
Depreciated cost, also known as depreciated value or net book value, is the value of an asset after accounting for depreciation. This concept is vital for businesses to manage asset values accurately over time.
Depreciation
Depreciation is a measure of the decrease in value of tangible fixed assets during a given accounting period, reflecting wear and tear, obsolescence, or reduction in useful economic life. It can be relevant for both accounting and currency valuation contexts.
Depreciation
Depreciation is an accounting method that allocates the cost of a tangible asset over its useful life.
Depreciation Allowance
Depreciation allowance refers to the total depreciation deducted against property used in a trade or business or held for the production of income, allowing for an annual deduction for wear and tear and diminution of the property's value. It is also known as accumulated depreciation.
Depreciation Methods
Depreciation methods are accounting techniques used to allocate the cost of a tangible asset over its useful life systematically. These methods are essential for properly matching expenses with revenues.
Depreciation Rate
The percentage rate used in various methods of depreciation to determine the amount of depreciation that should be written off a fixed asset and charged against income or the profit and loss account.
Depreciation Recapture
Depreciation Recapture refers to the portion of taxable capital gain from the sale of an asset, which represents the depreciation previously deducted for that asset.
Depreciation Reserve
A depreciation reserve, also known as accumulated depreciation, is the total depreciation charged against all productive assets as stated on the balance sheet. It allows for realistic reduction in the value of productive assets and facilitates tax-free recovery of the original investment in assets.
Depreciation System: General Depreciation System
The General Depreciation System (GDS) is a tax depreciation system used to determine the depreciation deduction for depreciable property using the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) in the United States.
Depressed Area
A depressed area is a geographic location characterized by economic challenges and underdevelopment. Residents of these areas often face low incomes, inadequate public facilities, and higher crime rates.
Depression (Economic)
An economic condition characterized by a significant decrease in business activity, falling prices, reduced purchasing power, excess supply over demand, rising unemployment, accumulating inventories, deflation, plant contraction, public fear, and caution.
Deprival Value
Deprival value is an accounting concept reflecting the loss that a company would experience if an asset were deprived or removed, often aligned with current-cost accounting.
Depth Interview
A research technique conducted in person in the field by a trained interviewer to understand consumer motivations in the purchase decision process.
Depth of Market
Depth of Market (DOM) refers to the number of buy and sell orders waiting to be executed for a particular asset at varied price levels, indicating the liquidity and stability of that market.
Depth Tests
An in-depth analysis of internal control features within an organization, specifically designed to evaluate their effectiveness and compliance.
Deregistration
Deregistration refers to the process by which an entity ceases to be registered for Value Added Tax (VAT). This often occurs when a taxable person stops making taxable supplies, making deregistration compulsory, with a notification requirement within 30 days.
Deregulation
The removal of controls imposed by governments on the operation of markets, aiming to enhance efficiency and competition but potentially contributing to economic instability under certain conditions.
Derivative Action
A legal action initiated by a shareholder on behalf of a corporation against a third party, often an executive or director of the corporation, due to the corporation's failure to enforce its rights. This remedy allows shareholders to address wrongs done to the corporation when the corporation itself fails to take action.
Derivative Claim
A derivative claim is a legal action brought by a shareholder on behalf of a company for wrongs done to it, typically when those in control of the company are the ones responsible for the alleged misconduct.
Derivatives
A financial instrument that derives its value from the performance of an underlying asset, commodity, currency, economic variable, or financial instrument. Derivatives can be used for hedging, speculation, or arbitrage purposes.
Derived Demand
Derived demand refers to the demand for capital goods and labor, used in production, which indirectly stems from the demand for the final goods and services that these inputs help to produce.
Descent
Method of acquiring property, usually real property, through the laws of descent and distribution from a decedent without the use of a will.
Description
In real estate, a formal depiction of the dimensions and location of a property, generally included in deeds, leases, sales contracts, and mortgage contracts for real property.
Descriptive Statistics
Descriptive statistics is used to summarize or describe the main features of a collection of data in a quantitatively meaningful way. It does not infer any elements beyond the provided data sample.
Designated Professional Body (DPB)
A Designated Professional Body (DPB) is a professional body registered with financial authorities, possessing statutory responsibility for regulating its professional members.
Designated Professional Body (DPB)
Designated Professional Body (DPB) refers to professional organizations authorized to supervise and regulate specific activities, such as investment business, by their members who are professionals like accountants or solicitors.

Accounting Terms Lexicon

Discover comprehensive accounting definitions and practical insights. Empowering students and professionals with clear and concise explanations for a better understanding of financial terms.