Gratis
Gratis refers to services or goods given freely without any payment, charge, or legal consideration.
Gratuitous
In a business context, the term 'gratuitous' refers to actions or items that are uncalled for or provided free of charge. These can include free samples given to potential customers or services voluntarily performed by employees in their personal time.
Gratuity
Gratuity, commonly referred to as a tip, is a sum of money given to certain service sector workers for the services they provide, usually in addition to the basic price.
Graveyard Market
A bear market where investors who sell incur substantial losses, while potential investors prefer to remain liquid until market conditions improve. Like a graveyard, those who are in cannot get out, and those who are out have no desire to get in.
Graveyard Shift
A work shift that occurs in the middle of the night, typically from midnight to early morning. It’s also known as the third shift, commonly seen in manufacturing and other industries that operate 24/7.
Gray Market
The sale of products by unauthorized dealers, frequently at discounted prices. Consumers who buy gray market goods may find that the manufacturer refuses to honor the product warranty. In some cases, gray market goods may be sold in a country they were not intended for, so the instructions may be in a foreign language.
GRC (Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance)
GRC is an integrated approach to managing an organization's governance, risk management, and compliance activities. It promotes cohesive information sharing and coordination to enhance purpose and efficiency.
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place during the 1930s, starting in the United States. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations; in most countries, it started in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s.
Greater Fool Theory
The Greater Fool Theory posits that even if a stock or the entire market is overvalued, investing in such assets can still be justified by the belief that there are always other 'fools' who will pay a higher price.
Green Audit
A green audit, also known as an environmental audit, provides an assessment of an organization's environmental performance and practices to ensure sustainable operations and adherence to environmental regulations.
Green Building
Green building refers to the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction.
Green Card
A registration card carried by immigrants with permanent residence status, serving as an intermediate step toward becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Green Investing
Green investing is an investment strategy that focuses on companies committed to the environmentally sustainable practices. Investors who participate in green investing aim to generate financial returns while promoting environmental stewardship.
Green Reporting: Environmental Accounting
A comprehensive look into green reporting, an environmental accounting practice where companies quantify their environmental impacts. This is a growing area in corporate reporting, reflecting heightened concerns of investors, consumers, and stakeholders. New Zealand and the EU are at the forefront with specific legislation in place.
Greenback
A greenback is specifically a term for U.S. paper currency, named for the green ink used on the reverse side. It can also broadly refer to any paper money not backed by physical commodities like gold or silver.
Greenbury Report
A pivotal report on corporate governance issued in 1995 by a committee under Sir Richard Greenbury emphasizing executive remuneration and non-executive director involvement.
Greenmail
Greenmail refers to the practice of purchasing a substantial block of a company’s shares and then selling them back to the company at a premium over the market price, often to prevent a hostile takeover bid. This contentious tactic is more prevalent in jurisdictions like the United States, where companies can more freely repurchase their shares.
Gregg Shorthand
Gregg Shorthand is a system of shorthand developed in England in 1885 by John Robert Gregg. Known for its cursive style and rapid writing capabilities, it is designed to make recording and transcribing speech much quicker and more efficient.
Gresham's Law
A theory in economics that suggests bad money drives out good money from circulation. When two forms of commodity money are in circulation which are accepted by law as having similar face value, the more valuable one will be hoarded and the less valuable one will be spent.
Grey Knight
In a corporate takeover battle, a Grey Knight is a counterbidder whose intentions are not clearly defined, creating uncertainty for the target company.
Grey Market
The grey market comprises markets for legal trading of goods that are in short supply or shares that are not yet issued but will be issued shortly, offering price anticipation and the potential for losses if allocations do not match expectations.
Grid
A grid is a network of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines used in various fields, including word processing, graphics, and design, to organize content, align objects, and enhance visual structure.
Grievance
A grievance is an allegation that something imposes an illegal burden, denies some equitable or legal right, or causes injustice. It often refers to formal complaints within an organizational context, particularly in workplaces subject to collective bargaining agreements.
Gross
The term 'gross' can refer to the highest amount of sales or income before deductions, or to a quantity in merchandise, specifically 12 dozen or 144 items.
Gross Amount
Gross amount refers to the total amount of something before any deductions are made for costs, taxes, or losses. For instance, gross revenues do not take into consideration factors such as taxes, depreciation, and other costs.
Gross Billing
Gross billing refers to the total cost of advertising with a communications medium, including the advertising agency commission, and often also encompasses the cost of a one-time insertion in a communications medium.
Gross Corporation Tax
Gross corporation tax is the total amount of corporation tax payable on the profits chargeable to corporation tax for an accounting period, calculated before deduction of any income tax suffered on investment income.
Gross Dividend
The gross dividend refers to the total amount a company distributes to its shareholders before any withholding taxes or other deductions.
Gross Dividend Per Share
The total of the gross dividends paid by a company in a year divided by the total number of ordinary shares on which the dividend is paid.
Gross Dividend Yield
Gross dividend yield represents the annual dividend income received from a security as a percentage of its current market price before the deduction of any taxes or charges.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a comprehensive measure of a nation's overall economic activity, representing the total dollar value of all goods and services produced over a specific time period within a country's borders.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the market value of all goods and services produced within a country during a specific period, usually annually or quarterly. It serves as a comprehensive measure of national economic activity and health.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
The monetary value of all the goods and services produced by an economy over a specified period. GDP serves as a broad measure of overall economic activity and an indicator of an economy's health.
Gross Domestic Product, Real (Real GDP)
Real GDP is an inflation-adjusted measure of the value of goods and services produced by an economy in a specific period, allowing for meaningful comparisons across different years.
Gross Earnings
Gross earnings refer to an employee's salary or wages before any deductions for taxes, Social Security, and employee benefit contributions are made.
Gross Earnings Form
Insurance coverage for loss in the gross earnings of the business (minus expenses that cease while the business is inoperative) as a result of the interruption of normal business activities caused by damage to the premises by an insured peril.
Gross Equity Method
The gross equity method is a way of accounting for associated undertakings whereby the investor displays its proportionate share of the investee's aggregate gross assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. Additionally, the related share of turnover is noted in the profit and loss account.
Gross Estate
Gross estate refers to the total value of a person's assets before liabilities such as debts and taxes are deducted. It includes all types of property and accounts that the deceased owned or had an interest in.
Gross Federal Debt
Gross federal debt refers to the total amount of debt that the federal government has accrued over time, encompassing both public and private holdings.
Gross Income
Gross Income refers to the total earnings from all sources before any deductions or taxes. It encompasses income from employment, self-employment, rental property, alimony, child support, public assistance payments, and retirement benefits.
Gross Income Multiplier (GIM)
The Gross Income Multiplier (GIM) is a metric used in real estate to evaluate the relative value of an income-generating property. It is calculated by dividing the property's sale price by its gross annual rental income.
Gross Leasable Area (GLA)
Gross Leasable Area (GLA) is the total floor area of a building available for rental to tenants, usually measured from the outside walls without deducting for hallways, lobbies, or other common areas.
Gross Lease
A gross lease is a rental agreement where the landlord is responsible for paying all property expenses, including taxes, insurance, utilities, and repairs. Under this lease, the landlord receives rent as a gross figure and covers the operating expenses.
Gross Margin
Gross margin represents the percentage of total sales revenue that a company retains after incurring the direct costs associated with producing the goods and services it sells. It is a critical metric for assessing a company's financial health and operational efficiency.
Gross Margin Ratio (Gross Profit Percentage)
The gross margin ratio, also known as the gross profit percentage, is a financial metric that measures the proportion of money left over from revenues after accounting for the cost of goods sold (COGS). It is a critical indicator of a company's financial health and its ability to manage production costs.
Gross National Expenditure
Gross National Expenditure (GNE) is the total of all expenditures of all kinds within an economy, including both public and private spending. Unlike Gross Domestic Product (GDP), GNE includes expenditures for imports but excludes exports.
Gross National Product (GNP)
Gross National Product (GNP) is a measure of the economic output of a country, accounting for the market value of all goods and services produced by the residents of the country, whether located domestically or abroad.
Gross National Product (GNP)
Gross National Product (GNP) is a financial metric that measures the total economic output of a country's residents, regardless of the geographic location of the output.
Gross National Product (GNP)
Gross National Product (GNP) is a measure of the economic performance of a country's residents, reflecting the total value of goods and services produced by a country's residents, including overseas income.
Gross Profit
Gross profit, also known as gross margin or gross profit margin, is the difference between a company’s sales revenue and its cost of goods sold (COGS), excluding operating expenses such as finance, administration, and distribution costs.
Gross Profit Method
A technique used to estimate inventory at the end of an interim period, commonly used for preparing interim financial statements and estimating inventory for insurance reimbursement in case of loss.
Gross Profit Percentage (Gross Margin Ratio)
A ratio of financial performance that calculates gross profit as a percentage of sales, serving as a critical measure of trading success in retailing companies.
Gross Profit Ratio
In the context of installment sales, the Gross Profit Ratio is the proportion of gross profit (gain) to the contract price, used to determine the taxable gain from periodic receipts from the buyer.
Gross Rating Point (GRP)
Gross Rating Point (GRP) measures the impact and volume of an advertising campaign. It is the sum of all rating points over a specific period or across an entire media plan, reflecting how much exposure an advertisement has achieved.
Gross Receipts
Gross receipts refer to the total income a business receives from all sources before deductions or allowances.
Gross Redemption Yield
The gross redemption yield, also known as the effective yield or yield to maturity (YTM), represents the internal rate of return of a bond bought at a specified price and held until its maturity, excluding any taxes payable on the interest and the capital repayments.
Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM)
A real estate valuation metric calculated by dividing the sales price of a property by its gross rental income, typically used to estimate the value of income-producing properties.
Gross Revenue (or Gross Sales)
Gross Revenue, also known as Gross Sales, refers to the total sales revenue of a company at invoice values, before any deductions for customer discounts, returns, allowances, or other adjustments.
Gross Ton (GT)
A Gross Ton (GT) is a unit of weight commonly used in the United Kingdom and United States for measuring heavy masses, equivalent to 2,240 pounds in the Avoirdupois system, traditionally employed in shipping and heavy industries.
Gross Up
To convert a net amount into its equivalent gross amount. For example, an amount payable net of 17.5% value added tax would be grossed up to the amount payable including 17.5% value added tax, i.e. by multiplying the net amount by 1.175.
Gross Weight
Gross weight refers to the total weight of goods within a shipping container, including the weight of the container itself. This measurement is crucial in logistics and transportation for managing load limits and calculating shipping costs.
Grossed-Up Gift
A grossed-up gift is the result of adding the gift tax paid by the decedent of the estate back to the gift when it is included in the gross estate.
Ground Lease
A ground lease involves leasing land, usually on a long-term basis, to allow the lessee to develop property on that land.
Ground Rent
Ground rent is the revenue generated by leasing out a piece of land. It is considered ordinary income for tax purposes but can be reclassified in some circumstances.
Ground Zero
Ground Zero refers to the specific point of impact where the full effects of a particular action, such as a bomb explosion or terrorist attack, are experienced.
Group
A parent undertaking and its subsidiary or subsidiaries. In UK tax law, two or more companies constitute a group where one company holds more than 50% of the shares in the other(s). This test is usually applied to the voting share capital only. Where there is a group of companies, the availability of the lower rates of corporation tax is restricted.
Group Accounts
Group accounts, also known as group financial statements or consolidated financial statements, provide a comprehensive overview of the financial status of a parent company and its subsidiaries.
Group Company
A group company is a term referring to an organization that is either a subsidiary undertaking or a holding company within a larger conglomerate.
Group Credit Insurance
Group Credit Insurance is a coverage issued to a creditor on the lives of multiple debtors for outstanding loans. In the event of a debtor's death before repayment, the policy pays the remaining loan amount to the creditor. This type of insurance contract covers an entire group of debtors instead of individual policies for each debtor.
Group Disability Insurance
Group Disability Insurance provides coverage for a group of employees, offering monthly benefits if members are unable to perform their job functions due to illness or accident. Benefits are typically limited to a specified duration and capped at a percentage of pre-disability earnings or a flat dollar amount, whichever is lower.
Group Dynamics
The social interaction of the participants in a group, highlighting the dynamics of the group interaction process where creative contributions occur.
Group Health Insurance
Group health insurance offers healthcare coverage to members of a defined group, such as employees of a business, union members, or association groups, facilitating access to a comprehensive range of medical services.
Group Income
Group income refers to a dividend paid by one group company to another within the same corporate structure. These dividends received are not subject to corporation tax.
Group Interview
A process where individuals are interviewed collectively, either to gather opinions or as a method of evaluating potential employees in a collaborative setting.
Group Legal Services Plan
A Group Legal Services Plan is a program that offers legal services to participants, typically employees of a company, through a prearranged and often prepaid contractual agreement.
Group Life Insurance
Group life insurance is a basic employee benefit under which an employer buys a master policy and issues certificates to employees denoting participation in the plan. Group life is also available through unions and associations. It is usually issued as yearly renewable term insurance although some provide permanent insurance. Employers may pay all the cost, or share it with employees.
Group Norms
Behavior norms applied to group members. Group norms are essential in determining group behaviors and conformity to organizational goals.
Group of 20 (G-20)
The Group of 20 (G-20) is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union to discuss policy issues pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability.
Group Relief
Group relief is a tax mechanism allowing companies within a 75% ownership group to transfer qualifying losses to other group companies, thus optimizing their overall tax position. From April 1, 2000, group members no longer have to be resident in the UK to qualify for this relief.
Group Undertaking
A business entity that is part of a larger corporate group, encompassing various companies with shared ownership or control connections, often referred to in relation to subsidiary undertakings.
Groupware
Computer software that enables collaborative working on a joint project, allowing team members to work together despite being in different locations. Groupware was a precursor to web-based collaborative working systems.
Growing-Equity Mortgage (GEM)
A Growing-Equity Mortgage (GEM) is a type of home loan where the monthly payments increase annually by a predetermined amount. These additional payments are applied directly to the loan's principal, thereby reducing the loan's maturity period faster compared to a standard Level-Payment Mortgage.
Growth Accounting
Growth accounting is a method used in economics to determine the contribution of different factors (such as labor, capital, and technology) to economic growth.
Growth Fund
A growth fund is a mutual fund that primarily invests in growth stocks with the aim of providing capital appreciation for the fund's shareholders over the long term. These funds tend to be more volatile compared to conservative income or money market funds.
Growth Rate
Growth rate is a metric that illustrates the amount of change over a period in certain financial characteristics of a company, such as sales revenue or profits. It is usually expressed as a percentage and can be compared to the Retail Price Index or another inflation measure to evaluate the company's real performance.
Growth Stock
A growth stock is a type of stock that has exhibited faster than average gains in earnings over recent years and is expected to continue showcasing high levels of profit growth. These stocks often come with higher risks but offer potentially greater returns compared to average stocks.
Guarantee
A guarantee is a formal promise made by a third party, known as a guarantor, ensuring the fulfillment of contractual obligations if the primary party defaults. This mechanism is often used in financial transactions to mitigate risk.
Guarantee Letter
A Guarantee Letter is a document issued by a commercial bank that ensures payment of the exercise price of a client's put option if or when an assignment notice is presented to the option seller (writer).
Guarantee of Signature
A certificate issued by a bank or brokerage firm vouching for the authenticity of a person's signature, which may be necessary when stocks, bonds, or other registered securities are transferred from a seller to a buyer.
Guaranteed Annual Wage (GAW)
A plan provided by an employer to assure eligible employees a minimum amount of work or pay during the year. Employees must meet certain requirements such as willingness to change activities or to work overtime when needed.
Guaranteed Bond
In the USA, a guaranteed bond is issued by one party with payment guaranteed by another party. This often involves a subsidiary undertaking issuing the bond while the holding company guarantees the payment.
Guaranteed Income Contract (GIC)
A Guaranteed Income Contract is a financial instrument commonly used in the investment and insurance industries to provide a stable, guaranteed stream of income over a specified period of time.
Guaranteed Income Contract (GIC)
A Guaranteed Income Contract (GIC) is a financial instrument typically utilized within corporate profit-sharing or pension plans wherein an insurance company guarantees a specific rate of return on invested capital over the contract's duration.
Guaranteed Insurability
Guaranteed insurability refers to an insurance policy feature that allows an individual to purchase additional life insurance without undergoing a medical examination, under specific conditions, thereby ensuring continued coverage regardless of changes in health status.
Guaranteed Mortgage
A guaranteed mortgage is a type of home loan in which a third-party organization guarantees repayment to the lender in case the borrower defaults. These guarantees are often provided by government agencies, enhancing the chances of loan approval and potentially offering favorable terms to the borrower.
Guaranteed Payments for Capital
Guaranteed payments for capital refer to payments made to a partner by a partnership, determined without regard to partnership income, specifically for the use of that partner's capital.
Guarantor
A person or entity that guarantees, endorses, or provides indemnity agreements with respect to debts owed by another party. The guarantor ensures the debt will be repaid, and any losses incurred are deductible when sustained.
Guaranty
A guaranty is a legal promise to fulfill another party's debt or contractual obligations if that party fails to do so.
Guardian
A guardian is an individual assigned with the responsibility of protecting another person or property, either via general duty or legal appointment.

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.