Domicile in Accounting
Domicile refers to the country or place of an individual's permanent home, influencing their civil status and tax liabilities. It is distinct from nationality and residence, encompassing both physical presence and an intention to remain.
Dominant Influence
Dominant influence refers to the power exerted over a company to control its operating and financial policies, potentially treating it as a subsidiary within group accounts.
Dominant Tenement
Dominant Tenement refers to the parcel of land that benefits from an easement on another property, which is typically adjacent.
Donated Capital
In the USA, donated capital refers to a gift of an asset to a company. The value is credited to a donated-capital account, which is a stockholders' equity account.
Donated Stock
Fully paid capital stock of a corporation contributed without consideration to the same issuing corporation. Donated stock is generally classified as capital stock and can impact both the financial and operational aspects of the corporation.
Donated Surplus
Donated surplus, also known as donated capital, refers to the contributions of cash, property, or the firm's own stock freely given to the company. It is a component of shareholders' equity that arises when such contributions are made by stakeholders without the expectation of anything in return.
Donee
A donee is a person or entity who receives a gift, trust, power, right, or interest without the need to provide consideration in return.
Donor
A donor is an individual or entity that provides a gift or transfers a power, right, or interest, often in the context of creating a trust or other legal arrangement.
Dormant Company
A dormant company is an entity that has had no significant accounting transactions during the accounting period in question and therefore is exempt from certain financial and auditing obligations.
Dormant Partner
A dormant partner, also known as a silent partner, is an individual who invests capital in a partnership but does not take an active role in its management or operations.
DOT
The period (.) in an Internet domain name, which separates the different levels of the domain hierarchy.
Dot-Com
The term 'dot-com' refers to companies and businesses that operate primarily on the Internet and have a web presence, typically associated with the .com (commercial) domain extension.
Dots Per Inch (DPI)
Dots Per Inch (DPI) is a unit of measurement used to describe the resolution of devices such as inkjet and laser printers, where a higher DPI signifies greater detail and clarity in the resultant printed images or text.
Double (Treble) Damages
Double or treble damages refer to the practice of awarding a plaintiff twice or three times the actual amount of damages incurred. This punitive measure is authorized by statute for certain kinds of injuries to deter and punish improper behavior.
Double Account System
An outdated accounting method used to present financial statements in certain public utilities and railways prior to privatization.
Double Declining Balance Method
The Double Declining Balance Method is a form of accelerated depreciation method that spreads the cost of an asset more heavily in the early years of its service life.
Double Precision
Double precision refers to a method of numerical computation that enhances the precision of floating-point numbers by keeping track of twice as many digits as standard (single) precision.
Double Taxation
Double Taxation refers to the process under federal tax law where earnings are taxed at the corporate level and then taxed again as dividends of stockholders.
Double Taxation Agreement
A Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) is an agreement between two countries aimed at preventing the same income from being taxed twice. These agreements offer various forms of double taxation relief to companies or individuals who are subject to tax in both countries.
Double Time
Double time refers to a payment condition in which employees are paid twice their regular hourly rates for specific types of work, including overtime, Sundays, or holidays.
Double-Click
Double-click refers to the action of clicking a computer mouse twice in rapid succession. It is commonly used to perform actions such as opening files, folders, or applications. In some systems, a single click might replace the double-click functionality.
Double-Declining-Balance Method of Depreciation
The double-declining-balance method of depreciation involves applying twice the straight-line rate to the depreciable balance of an asset.
Double-Digit Inflation
Double-Digit Inflation refers to an inflation rate of 10% per year or higher, significantly impacting purchasing power, savings, and economic stability.
Double-Dipping
Double-dipping refers to the practice where individuals receive multiple forms of financial benefits or salaries simultaneously from two different sources, typically in contexts related to pensions and employment.
Double-Entry Accounting, Double-Entry Bookkeeping
Double-entry accounting, also known as double-entry bookkeeping, is a system of financial records used in business whereby equal debits and credits are recorded for each transaction, ensuring the accounting equation (Assets = Liabilities + Owner's Equity) remains balanced.
Double-Entry Bookkeeping
A method of recording the transactions of a business in a set of accounts such that every transaction has a dual aspect and therefore needs to be recorded in at least two accounts.
Double-Entry Cost Accounting
Double-entry cost accounting involves maintaining cost accounting records using the principles of double-entry bookkeeping, which ensures that every financial transaction is recorded in at least two accounts, balancing debits and credits.
Doubtful Debt
Doubtful debt refers to an amount owed to an organization by a debtor that is unlikely to be received. Organizations often create a provision for doubtful debts based on specific debts or general assumptions about debtor reliability.
Dow Jones
Dow Jones is a highly reputable financial information services company, known for its influential publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Barron's National Business and Financial Weekly, and Smart Money, as well as its extensive computer databases and additional financial information services.
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a widely-recognized stock market index that tracks the performance of 30 major publicly traded companies in the United States.
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is the most widely followed benchmark of stock market performance, containing value changes for stocks of 30 large corporations.
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is an index that tracks the stock prices of 30 significant publicly traded companies on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ. It serves as a key indicator of the performance of the industrial sector and the overall U.S. stock market.
Dow Theory
Dow Theory is a theory that a major trend in the stock market must be confirmed by similar movements in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the Dow Jones Transportation Average (DJTA). According to this theory, a significant trend is not confirmed until both Dow Jones indexes reach new highs or lows; if they do not, the market is likely to fall back to its previous trading range.
Dower
Dower is a statutory provision in a common-law state that directs a certain portion of a deceased individual's estate (often one-third) to the surviving spouse. The term 'curtesy' is used if the surviving spouse is the husband.
Down (Computers)
Refers to the state of a computer system or network being unavailable for use or out of service, typically due to malfunctions, maintenance, or testing.
Down Tick
A down tick occurs when a security is sold at a price lower than its most recent preceding sale price. This event is also referred to as a 'minus tick.'
Downloading
The process of transmitting a file or program from one computer to another, typically from a central server to a personal computer or device.
Downpayment
A downpayment is the initial upfront portion of the total amount due for the purchase of property or goods, generally paid in cash, with the remaining balance being financed through debt.
Downscale
Movement of a business activity from a higher to a lower level; pejorative term describing a downgrade in the quality of clientele or products. For instance, a retail store choosing to carry lower-grade merchandise is considered to be moving downscale.
Downside Risk
An estimate of an investment's potential decline in value, considering the entire range of factors that could affect market price.
Downsizing
Downsizing is a strategic measure taken by organizations to reduce their workforce and operational size with the primary goal of boosting profitability, cost-efficiency, and flexibility.
Downstream
The term 'downstream' refers to the flow of corporate activity from a parent company to its subsidiary. In finance, it typically pertains to loans, while in management, it relates to instructions that come from the headquarters.
Downtime
Downtime refers to the period during which a system, service, or equipment is not operational or is unavailable. This term is often used in various fields including manufacturing, computing, and telecommunications.
Downturn
A downturn refers to the shift of an economic or stock market cycle from rising to falling, indicating a move from expansion to recession or from a bull market to a bear market.
Downward-Sloping Demand
A fundamental characteristic of the demand for most goods and services, resulting in lower quantities demanded as the price increases, producing a curve that slopes downward on a graph.
Downzoning
Downzoning refers to the act of rezoning a tract of land for a less intensive use than that which is currently existing or permitted. This change aims to reduce the density of development and often impacts property values and land use policies.
Dowry
The dowry is a traditional practice in many cultures where money, goods, or estate is brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage.
DP: Data Processing
Data Processing (DP) refers to the collection, manipulation, and processing of data to produce meaningful information that aids decision-making. It is a fundamental aspect of computer science and information technology.
Draft
In accounting, a draft can refer to several different financial instruments or preliminary versions of documents, each serving specific purposes in financial transactions or documentation processes.
Drag and Drop
A user interface gesture where an object or a segment of text is selected, moved by holding the mouse button, and released to a new location.
Dragon Bond
Dragon bonds are foreign bonds issued in the Asian bond markets, designed to tap into the growing pool of Asian investors.
Draining Reserves
Actions by the Federal Reserve System to decrease the money supply by curtailing the funds banks have available to lend.
Dram Shop Act
A state law stating the liabilities of tavernkeepers serving alcoholic beverages to intoxicated patrons, identifying the creation of unreasonable risk of harm and resulting in charges of negligent conduct and legal liability.
Draw
A comprehensive examination of the term 'Draw' as it pertains to financial transactions, legal documentation, and the preparation of drafts.
Drawback
The refund of import duty by HM Revenue and Customs when imported goods are re-exported. Payment of the import duty and claiming the drawback can be avoided if the goods are stored in a bonded warehouse immediately after unloading from the incoming ship or aircraft until re-export.
Drawdown
Drawdown refers to the drawing of funds against a bank loan or other credit facility. It involves disbursing the loan amount provided by the lender to the borrower in full or in parts over a specific period.
Drawee
Understanding the role of the drawee in financial transactions, including bill of exchange, cheques, and bank drafts.
Drawer
The drawer refers to a person or entity who issues a financial instrument such as a bill of exchange or a cheque, instructing the drawee to pay a specified sum of money either immediately or at a later date.
Drawing Account
A drawing account is an account within a proprietorship or partnership used to track the withdrawals made by an owner. Typically closed at year-end, its balance is transferred to the owner's equity account or profit and loss account.
Drawings: Understanding Withdrawals from Unincorporated Businesses
Drawings refer to the withdrawal of assets, typically cash or goods, from an unincorporated business by its owner. This concept is essential in differentiating between unincorporated businesses and corporations, and comprehending how owners can access business assets.
Drill Down
Drilling down involves navigating through a series of menus or steps to access more detailed information within a system.
Drive-In
A drive-in facility is a type of sales or service location specifically designed to accommodate customers who remain in their automobiles, thereby offering convenience and speed. Examples include drive-in banks, restaurants, and dry cleaners.
Drop Dead Date
A drop dead date is an absolute deadline after which the results or reports are considered futile. Missing this deadline renders any subsequent work and outcomes useless.
Drop Lock
Drop Lock is a financial mechanism applied to bonds initially issued with variable rates of interest, converting them into fixed-rate bonds upon the occurrence of a trigger event such as the underlying index or interest rate falling below a pre-set threshold.
Drop-Down Menu
A drop-down menu is a graphical control element that allows users to choose one value from a list. When the menu is activated, it displays a list of options to choose from.
Drop-Shipping
Drop-Shipping is an e-commerce model where retailers sell products without storing them in their own inventory. Instead, customer orders are fulfilled directly by the supplier who ships the products directly to the end customer.
Dry Goods
Dry goods encompass fabrics, textiles, and clothing made from various materials such as cotton, wool, rayon, and silk, including ready-to-wear clothing and bedding.
Dry Hole
A drilled well that provides little or no oil or gas, which must be kept properly plugged in most states.
Du Pont Formula
A comprehensive financial analysis method used to break down return on investment (ROI) into component parts: margin and turnover. This formula helps identify key drivers of a company's profitability.
Dual Agency
Dual agency refers to a real estate scenario where a single agent represents both the buyer and the seller in a transaction. This practice is accepted in many states, provided there is full disclosure and consent from both parties. However, it is often met with skepticism as each party prefers individual representation to have their interests safeguarded.
Dual Aspect Principle
The Dual Aspect Principle is a fundamental concept in accounting that asserts every financial transaction has two aspects: one that results in a debit entry and another that results in a credit entry.
Dual Banking
The U.S. system whereby banks are chartered by either the state in which they operate or by the federal government. This leads to differences in banking regulations, lending limits, and services available to customers.
Dual Contract
A dual contract is an illegal or unethical practice in which two different contracts are provided for the same transaction. One contract reflects a larger amount and is used to apply for a loan, while the real contract is for a lower amount.
Dual-Capacity System
A system of trading on a stock exchange in which the functions of stockbroker and stockjobber are carried out by separate firms. Dual capacity existed on the London Stock Exchange prior to October 1986 when a single-capacity system was introduced.
Dual-Rate Transfer Prices
Dual-rate transfer pricing is a method where transfer prices are set at different levels for the supplying and receiving divisions within an organization, aimed at incentivizing internal transactions without penalizing either division.
Duality Principle in UK Taxation
A fundamental principle of UK income tax and corporation tax whereby expenditures that have a dual purpose are not deductible in computing profits subject to tax unless they can be dissected to identify wholly business-related expenses.
Due Bill
A bill submitted by a common carrier for additional charges that were not paid with the initial freight bill.
Due Care
Due care refers to the degree of care that a person of ordinary prudence and reason (a reasonable person) would exercise under given circumstances. It is a standard used in tort law to indicate the level of care or the legal duty one normally owes to others, and negligence is the failure to use due care.
Due Date
The due date is a fixed time when a payment for debt, tax, interest, or other financial obligation is required.
Due Diligence
The comprehensive appraisal of a business or its assets, evaluating its liabilities, profitability, cash flow, policies, and compliance, typically conducted prior to a major transaction or stock exchange flotation.
Due Process
Due process refers to the legal requirement that the government must follow fair procedures when it seeks to restrict or condemn someone's property rights, ensuring notice and an opportunity for affected parties to be heard.
Due-On-Sale Clause
A provision in a mortgage that mandates the loan be paid in full when the property is sold. This clause protects lenders by ensuring the loan is not assumed by a potentially less creditworthy buyer.
Dues and Subscriptions
Dues and subscriptions refer to professional expenses that can be tax-deductible as miscellaneous itemized deductions, subject to specific regulations such as the 2% adjusted gross income (AGI) floor.
Dues Checkoff
Dues checkoff refers to the authorization by an employee for the employer to withhold union dues directly from their paycheck, demonstrating a cooperative relationship among the employer, employee, and union.
Duff & Phelps
Duff & Phelps is an independent financial advisory firm, established in 1932, known for providing valuation, corporate finance, and other financial consulting services.
Dummy
A dummy refers to an individual or entity that stands in place of the principal to a transaction, sometimes used to avoid personal liability.
Dump
A loosely formatted printout of some portion of the contents of a computer file, often used for a quick review of the file.
Dumping
Dumping refers to the practice of selling goods at a price lower than their cost or lower than the price charged in the domestic market. This is done to eliminate surplus, undermine foreign competition, or dispose of goods unacceptable for the domestic market.
DUN
DUN is a term used to refer to the practice of requesting payment for past due amounts. It often involves reminding or urging the debtor to pay back what is owed.
Dun & Bradstreet (D&B)
Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) is an information service company that provides critical business information, analytics, and insights, facilitating better decision-making with a vast database of credit information and commercial insights.
DUN'S Number
A DUN'S Number (Dun's Market Identifier) is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses. It is published as part of a list by Dun & Bradstreet, providing information such as address code, number of employees, corporate affiliations, and trade styles, creating a uniform standard for identifying businesses globally.
Duopoly
A duopoly is a form of oligopoly where only two firms dominate the entire market. This market structure can lead to unique competitive behaviors and economic outcomes. The two dominant firms may collaborate or compete aggressively, impacting market prices, output, and overall industry dynamics.
Duplex
A duplex is a residential building that contains two separate dwelling units, each with its own entrance. The term can also refer to an apartment with rooms on two floors.
Duplicate
The term 'duplicate' refers to an exact copy of an original item or document. It implies having two items with the same content and format.
Duplication of Benefits
Duplication of Benefits refers to the situation where an individual has coverage for the same insured loss under two or more health insurance policies. In such cases, the policies either pay proportionate shares of the loss or one policy is designated as primary and the other as secondary.
Durable Goods
Durable goods refer to consumer and business products that are designed and expected to last for several years. These goods are critical indicators of economic activity and investment trends.
Durable Power of Attorney
A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) is a legal document that allows an individual to act as an agent on behalf of the principal, even in the event of subsequent incapacity or disability of the principal.
Duration
Duration is a measure often used in fixed-income investing to assess the sensitivity of a bond's price to changes in interest rates by calculating the average life of the discounted values of the cash flows associated with a bond.
Duration Driver
Duration Driver refers to a measure of the amount of time required to perform an activity, especially when there is significant variance in the time taken to complete different activities.
Duration of Benefits
Duration of benefits refers to the period over which disability income insurance provides financial support to an eligible policyholder following an illness or injury causing disability.

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.