An organization of appraisal professionals and others interested in the appraisal profession, the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is international in structure, self-supporting, and independent. It is the oldest and sole major appraisal organization representing all disciplines of appraisal specialists, originating in 1936 and incorporating in 1952.

The American Stock Exchange (AMEX) is the third-largest options exchange in the United States, known for pioneering index options on broad-based and sector indices. Acquired by NYSE Euronext in 2008, AMEX combines electronic trading with a human-based open outcry system.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, such as jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with physical handicaps, encompassing aspects such as hiring practices and the design of buildings intended to serve the public.

Latin for 'friend of the court.' Amicus curiae refers to a person or organization that is not a party to a legal case but offers information or expertise to assist the court in its decision-making.

Amortization refers to the process of reducing debt through periodic payments or the systematic write-off of intangible asset costs over a set period.

An amortization schedule details the specific payments required to repay a loan, providing clarity on the principal and interest components of each payment over the entire term of the loan.

Amortization term refers to the time it takes to retire a debt through periodic payments. It is usually associated with loans and mortgages, indicating the full duration over which regular payments are made to fully repay the debt.

Amortized cost refers to the part of the value of an asset that has been written off due to accumulated depreciation over time. It is a key accounting concept used to allocate the cost of an asset over its useful life.

An amortized loan is a loan that is repaid through regular payments including both principal and interest over a specified period.

A loan in which the repayment is made in more than one installment, as opposed to a bullet loan where the repayment is made in a single lump sum at the end of the term.

In financial contexts, the term 'amount' refers to a specific sum represented numerically, often in dollar terms, used in transactions, budgeting, accounting, and various business contexts.

In insurance contexts, the 'Amount at Risk' is a key concept that refers to the potential financial loss an insurer faces, which can vary depending on the type of insurance policy.

The amount of one, often referred to as the 'compound amount of one', is a financial metric used to determine the future value of a single sum of money invested at a particular interest rate over a specified period.

The amount of one per period refers to the compound amount that accumulates when one unit of currency is invested at the end of each period for a certain number of periods at a specific interest rate. This concept is critical in understanding the future value of annuities in finance.

The ampersand is a logogram '&' representing the conjunction 'and'. This character is commonly used in various forms of digital and print communications.

Amtrak is the trade name of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, a government-owned for-profit corporation that provides intercity passenger rail services throughout the United States.

Representing data in a form other than binary digits (bits), allowing for continuous variation. Analog devices use continuous signals to capture or reproduce sound, color, and other data, as opposed to binary systems which use discrete on/off states.

Analysis refers to the examination and division of a business-related situation or problem into major elements in order to understand the item in question and make appropriate recommendations.

A statistical model used to determine whether there are any statistically significant differences between the means of three or more independent groups.

Variance analysis in standard costing and budgetary control examining sub-variances to understand the causes of differences between budgeted and actual figures in financial performance.

An analyst is a professional who studies data and makes recommendations on various courses of business actions. Analysts may specialize in various fields such as budgets, credit, securities, financial patterns, sales, and more.

Procedures and techniques employed to perform an analysis of a situation or event. For example, an investor, in deciding whether to commit funds to a company, would engage in financial statement analysis by looking at trends in the accounts over the years (e.g., sales) and financial ratios.

An analytical approach to an audit comparing financial and non-financial data to determine if they appear reasonable, used during various audit stages.

An audit test designed to provide evidence of the completeness, accuracy, and validity of accounting records and financial statements.

An anchor tenant plays a pivotal role in the context of real estate development, specifically within shopping centers and office buildings. It usually refers to a prominent, well-known business that leases a significant portion of the property, thereby attracting other tenants and customers.

Any supplementary item or service that supports the main operations or revenues of a business or activity, but is not the primary focus of that business or activity.

A comprehensive overview of ancillary credit businesses and their roles in credit brokerage, debt adjusting, debt counselling, debt collecting, debt administration, and credit-reference agency operations, according to the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Android is a software framework developed by Google, Inc., that serves as an operating system, middleware, and an application platform for numerous smart devices globally. It is widely used on various smartphone models and has become a predominant mobile OS.

Anergy refers to the condition of inactivity or a lack of energy in a system, often used to describe low-quality energy that cannot be converted into work or power.

Process by which an incorporated city expands its boundaries to include a specified area, usually governed by state law and often requiring a public ballot.

Annual accounts, also known as annual financial statements, are comprehensive reports on a company's financial position and performance over a fiscal year. These accounts include the balance sheet, income statement, statement of changes in equity, and cash flow statement.

Annual accounts, also known as annual reports, are comprehensive financial statements of an organization typically published annually and required by law for incorporated bodies in the UK.

An annual basis is a statistical technique whereby figures covering a period of less than a year are extended to cover a 12-month period. The procedure, called annualizing, must take seasonal variations (if any) into account to be accurate.

Annual Debt Service refers to the required annual principal and interest payments for a loan. In corporate finance, it is the cash required in a year for payments of interest and current maturities of principal on outstanding debt.

Annual earnings represent the amount of profit a business or individual realizes in one fiscal year. The concept is crucial for financial performance assessment, taxation, and strategic planning.

An exempt transfer under inheritance tax legislation allowing £3,000 to be given each year as a gift without liability to inheritance tax. This amount has remained unchanged since 6 April 1981.

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is a mandatory yearly gathering of a company's interested shareholders to receive the annual report and elect the board of directors.

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is a mandatory yearly gathering of a company's interested shareholders. It addresses critical governance and financial matters, including the presentation of the company's accounts, director and auditor reports, dividend recommendations, election of directors, and appointments of auditors.

The annual amount that an individual can give to another person without having to pay federal gift tax, which was up to $13,000 in 2010 and 2011, and periodically adjusted for inflation.

A capital allowance introduced in April 2008 that enables businesses to offset 100% of their capital expenditure in any one year against corporation tax, up to a specified limit. The allowance is available to businesses of any size or legal form and cannot be claimed on non-commercial motor vehicles.

An annual meeting is a once-a-year event where company managers report to stockholders on yearly results, and the board of directors stand for election. The CEO typically comments on the outlook for the upcoming year and answers questions from shareholders.

An Annual Mortgage Constant is a measurement used in real estate to compare the annual debt service to the original loan principal amount. It is used to determine the efficiency of a mortgage from a borrower's perspective.

The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the cost of credit that consumers pay, expressed as a simple annual percentage. It represents the annual effective interest rate charged on loans or credit and is mandated by the federal Truth in Lending Act to be disclosed in all consumer loan agreements.

The annual percentage rate (APR) represents the annualized cost of borrowing or the annual rate of return on an investment, incorporating interest rate and all associated fees.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is a measure of the cost of borrowing, expressed as a yearly interest rate. It includes interest as well as other fees and charges for a loan.

Annual renewable term insurance is a type of term life insurance that provides coverage for one year at a time with the option to renew annually.

An annual report is a comprehensive document prepared by a company at the end of its financial year, which summarizes its financial performance, business activities, and strategic goals. It is intended for shareholders, stakeholders, and the general public.

An Annual Return is a document that must be filed with the Registrar of Companies within seven months of the end of the relevant accounting period, containing key information about the company, its directors, and its financial status.

An annual wage refers to a fixed salary paid out to an employee over the course of a year, generally used to determine total compensation for employment services provided within that period.

Annualization is a process outlined in the Internal Revenue Code in the United States, where taxable income for part of a year is extended or 'annualized' to a full year by multiplying it by 12 and dividing by the number of months involved. This computation gives a standardized monthly income amount for tax-related purposes.

An annualized rate is an extrapolation of an occurrence lasting a limited time period to determine the amount or rate generated over a year. It is often used to project the yearly performance of an interest rate, investment return, or seasonal business activity such as ice cream sales.

An individual who receives payments from an annuity, a financial product that provides income streams at specified intervals, typically as a retirement tool.

Annuitize refers to the process of converting the accumulated capital in an annuity into a series of periodic payments. These payments can be for a fixed amount, over a fixed period, or for the lifetime of one or more annuitants, ensuring a guaranteed income stream that cannot be outlived.

An annuity is a financial contract in which the purchaser makes an upfront payment to an insurance company in exchange for regular, structured payments either for a specific period or for the remainder of the purchaser's life.

An annuity certain is a type of annuity where payments continue for a specified period regardless of the life or death of the policyholder.

An annuity due is a type of annuity where payments are made at the beginning of each period, as opposed to an ordinary annuity where payments are made at the end of each period.

A mathematical figure showing the present value of an income stream that generates one dollar of income each period for a specified number of periods.

An annuity in advance is a series of equal or nearly equal payments made at the beginning of each period. These payments can be for various financial obligations including rent, leases, or annuity payments.

An annuity in arrears, also known as an ordinary annuity, is a series of equal payments made at the end of consecutive periods over a fixed length of time. It contrasts with an annuity due, where payments are made at the beginning of each period.

Annuity income refers to the series of payments made at fixed intervals over a period of time, typically used as a stable source of cash flow during retirement.

A method of calculating the depreciation on a fixed asset designed to produce a constant annual charge that includes both depreciation and the cost of capital.

Annulment in accounting refers to the cancellation by a court of a bankruptcy order, under certain conditions such as wrongful bankruptcy declaration, full repayment of debts, or court-approved voluntary arrangement.

ANOVA, which stands for Analysis of Variance, is a statistical technique used to compare the means of three or more samples to determine if at least one sample means significantly differs from the others. It is widely used in various fields such as business, medicine, and social sciences to test hypotheses on data sets.

Antedating refers to assigning a date to a document that is earlier than the actual date it was created. This practice can have legal and procedural implications and is often compared to post-dating.

A cluster of statutory provisions designed to stop certain arrangements that would otherwise reduce the taxpayer's tax liability. Important areas include dividend stripping, bond washing, manufactured dividends, and transactions in securities.

Anti-trust laws are legislation enacted to ensure fair competition, prevent monopolies, and restrict practices that restrain trade and commerce.

The anticipated holding period refers to the estimated duration for which an investor expects to retain an investment before selling it.

Anticipatory breach involves breaking a contract before the actual time of required performance. It occurs when one party repudiates their contractual obligation beforehand by indicating that they will not or cannot fulfill their contractual duties.

Federal statutes designed to regulate trade, maintain competition, and prevent monopolies.

Antivirus software is designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software (malware) by monitoring computer systems for irregular activities and comparing findings to a database of known virus information. To maintain effectiveness against newly created viruses, it's crucial to regularly update virus definitions and periodically upgrade the software.

APACS stands for the Association for Payment Clearing Services, which was an industry body for banks and building societies in the United Kingdom that provided a forum for the collective development of standards and resources to facilitate payment clearing.

An apartment is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building, typically on a single story. Such buildings may be referred to as an apartment building, apartment complex, flat complex, block of flats, tower block, high-rise, or, occasionally, mansion block (in British English), especially if it consists of many apartments for rent.

An apartment building is a structure with multiple individual apartment units accessed through a common entrance and hallway. It may also contain commercial spaces, such as stores, typically on the ground floor.

APL is an interactive computer programming language that is well suited for handling certain complex mathematical operations. It uses several Greek letters and other special symbols, which requires a specially designed computer terminal.

Apparent authority is a legal doctrine where a principal is held responsible for the actions of an agent when the principal's words or actions reasonably lead a third party to believe that the agent has the authority to act on behalf of the principal.

An appeal bond is a guarantee of payment of the original judgment of a court and the costs of appeal, required when a judgment is appealed.

An appellant is a party who appeals to a higher court against the decision of a lower court. The appellant seeks a reversal or modification of the lower court’s judgment.

An appellate court has the authority to review and revise the decision of a lower court in the same case, providing a system of checks and balances within the judicial process.

In legal terms, an appellee is the party against whom an appeal is filed. This person or entity is usually the one who won at the lower court level but must now defend that ruling in a higher court.

An applet is a small application or utility that performs a specific task, often running within a larger program. Common examples include tools in Microsoft Windows Accessories and Microsoft Office.

An application, or app, is an executable program designed to perform specific tasks other than system maintenance. This term encompasses a wide range of software from word processors to games.

An application, commonly referred to as an 'app,' is software designed to perform specific tasks on devices like tablets and smartphones. Apps are typically single-purpose utilities aimed at enhancing the functionality of these devices.

An essential ledger account in the process of share capital application and allotment, detailing the financial transactions related to the acquisition of shares in a company.

Application controls are controls relating to transactions and standing data for each computer-based accounting system, specific to each application. These controls ensure the completeness and accuracy of accounting records and the validity of entries.

The process through which a company applies to a stock exchange to have its securities traded on that exchange.

An application form is a document issued by a newly floated company, accompanied by its prospectus, that members of the public use to apply for shares in the company.

An essential element in the statement of changes in financial position, providing insights into how funds are utilized within a business.

Application Service Providers (ASPs) are companies that provide software services over a network, typically the Internet, on a subscription basis, replacing the need for standalone software installations.

Application software comprises computer programs designed for specific tasks or applications, including accounting programs and audit software. These applications can also be downloadable on mobile devices like smartphones, commonly known as apps.

An applications programmer is a professional who writes software programs that use the computer as a tool to solve specific applied problems.

Application software refers to programs designed to perform specific tasks for users usually related to productivity, creativity, or communication purposes.

The utilization of economic theories and principles to address practical real-world problems and inform governmental policy-making.

Applied overhead refers to the indirect costs allocated to produced goods or services in a firm’s manufacturing process. These include costs such as utilities, rent, and salaries of the administrative staff.

Applied research is a crucial element in advancing practical applications across various industries by utilizing basic research to address specific, real-world issues.

Apportionment refers to the distribution or allocation of income, expenses, property, or tax liability among different entities, individuals, or states. It is a concept widely used in fields such as accounting, taxation, and real estate.

Cost apportionment is the method of charging a proportion of a cost to a cost centre or cost unit because these cost centres or units share in incurring those costs without directly incurring them. A basis of apportionment is always required.

Appraisal is a method of depreciation that values an asset at the beginning of an accounting period and again at the end. Any diminution in value is charged as an expense to the profit and loss account.

An appraisal is the assessment of alternative courses of action with a view to establishing which action should be taken. Appraisals may be financial, economic, or technical in emphasis.

Appraisal costs are associated with the valuation and inspection processes to ensure the quality of products or the fair market value of assets. They play a crucial role in both financial accounting and quality management.