An organization that was established in 1989 to promote uniform standards for appraisal qualifications and reporting, notably through the publication of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

An organization principally composed of professional real estate appraisers which offers designations such as MAI, SRA, and SRPA.

An appraisal report documents the findings of an appraisal engagement, summarizing the valuation of a property or asset. Different report formats include restricted, summary, and self-contained reports, compliant with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

A commentary by one appraiser on the appraisal report prepared by another appraiser, often completed to ensure accuracy and compliance with relevant standards.

Appraisal rights are a statutory remedy available to minority stockholders who object to certain extraordinary actions taken by a corporation, such as a merger. These rights require the corporation to repurchase the stock of dissenting stockholders at a price equivalent to its value immediately before the event.

The process of estimating the value of a property, often required for various financial, legal, and business purposes.

An appraiser is a person qualified to estimate the value of a business, real property, or personal property. The profession requires knowledge, expertise, and, often, certification.

The term 'appreciate' carries dual meanings in various contexts. Firstly, it refers to an increase in value over time. Secondly, it describes understanding or recognizing the significance of something.

In the context of real, personal, or intangible assets, appreciated property refers to assets that have a fair market value greater than their original cost, adjusted tax basis, or book value.

Appreciation refers to an increase in the value of an asset over time, which can result from various factors such as inflation, a rise in market price, or interest earned. This term is essential for understanding the financial dynamics related to assets and currency values.

An apprentice is a person who is learning a skill or trade from more experienced craftsmen while at work.

The term 'appropriate' refers to the act of setting apart or assigning something for a specific purpose or use. It can also refer to the wrongfully use or take the property of another.

In budget management, an appropriated expenditure refers to an amount set aside for a specific acquisition or purpose. It ensures that funds are allocated and used in accordance with designated objectives.

Appropriation in accounting refers to the allocation of net profits of an organization in its accounts. This can include dividends to shareholders, transfers to reserves, and amounts for taxation.

An appropriation account pertains to both governmental budgeting and corporate financial statements. It is instrumental in showing how government departments allocate and manage their funds over a financial year, as well as illustrating how profits are distributed in a partnership or a corporation.

An 'Approved List' refers to a specific selection of investments that a mutual fund or other financial institution is authorized to invest in. It can be statutory, especially when fiduciary responsibilities are involved.

In property law, the term 'appurtenant' refers to the attachment of a restriction, such as an easement or covenant, to a piece of land, which benefits or restricts the owner of such land in his use and enjoyment.

Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT) is a multifactor model used to determine the fair price of an asset considering multiple macroeconomic factors without the need for a market portfolio. It is an alternative to the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and is known for its flexibility and foundation in arbitrage conditions.

Aptitude refers to the intellectual ability of an individual to learn material sufficiently, enabling them to perform business tasks required on the job efficiently. It delves into a person's natural talent and tendency for specific areas, often reflected in distinctive professional fields.

An arbiter is a person appointed by a court to decide a controversy according to the law. Unlike an arbitrator, an arbiter's decision needs the court's confirmation to be final.

Arbitrage involves entering into financial transactions to obtain risk-free profits by leveraging differences in interest rates, exchange rates, or commodity prices between different markets.

An arbitrage bond is a type of municipal bond issued to gain an interest rate advantage by refunding higher-rate bonds in advance of their call date. The proceeds from the lower-rate refunding issue are invested in higher-yielding treasuries until the first call date of the higher-rate issue being refunded.

Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT) is a model proposed by Stephen Ross in 1976 for calculating returns on securities. It assumes multiple factors affecting security returns, differing from the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), which relies on a single systematic risk factor.

An arbitrageur is a person or firm engaged in arbitrage, taking advantage of price differences of the same security in different markets. They attempt to profit from these discrepancies without exposing themselves to significant risk.

An arbitrary allocation refers to a cost allocation process that uses an allocation base unlikely to yield accurate costs. Examples include using the number of students to allocate the cost of a lecture, irrespective of the class size.

Arbitration is the process of resolving a dispute between parties through one or more arbitrators rather than in a court of law. It is commonly used in civil matters, particularly in commercial contracts, which often include arbitration clauses.

An impartial person chosen by the parties to solve a dispute between them. An arbitrator is empowered to make a final determination concerning the issue(s) in controversy and is bound only by his own discretion.

Archive storage refers to a designated area or facility used to securely store old or inactive documents, records, and data for long-term preservation and easy retrieval.

The term 'Area' encompasses both a two-dimensional space defined by boundaries, such as a floor area, lot area, and market area, and the scope or extent of expertise in a particular field.

A three-digit telephone number prefix corresponding to a geographical area that facilitates direct long-distance dialing.

Argenti's Failure Model is a framework for predicting corporate failure, assessing company health based on internal factors.

An argument in a computer spreadsheet program refers to the values that must be specified for a given function to execute properly. For instance, in Excel, the PMT function calculates the periodic payment for a loan based on specified arguments like interest rate, number of periods, and principal amount.

The arithmetic mean, commonly known as the average, is calculated by summing individual quantities and dividing by their total number. This measure is frequently used in various fields, although it can be misleading in the presence of outliers.

An 'arm's length' transaction in accounting refers to a deal made by unrelated parties, each acting in their own best interest to ensure fair market value is upheld. Understanding and ensuring such transactions are vital for transparent financial statements.

An arm's-length transaction refers to a deal where the parties involved act independently and in their own self-interest, ensuring fairness and equal standing for all involved.

An arrangement pertains to various structured agreements or settlements in financial, legal, and real estate contexts, where an intermediary plays a significant role.

A collection of data elements identified by a common name, where each element can be efficiently located and retrieved using indices or subscripts.

Arrearage refers to the amount of overdue payments that are owed and unpaid. This can apply to various financial obligations, including loans, mortgages, bond interests, and dividends on cumulative preferred stock.

In accounting, arrears refer to a liability or an obligation that has not been settled by its due date. This can apply to various financial scenarios such as unpaid dividends, interest, salaries, or rent.

The Articles of Association is a legal document that defines a company's regulations, governance, and the rights, duties, and responsibilities of its members (shareholders) and directors.

Articles of Incorporation, also known as a corporate charter, are a set of formal documents filed with a government body to legally document the creation of a corporation in the United States.

The articles of partnership is a voluntarily prepared agreement detailing the terms and functioning of a partnership between business partners. It acts as a blueprint for the internal operations and distributions of profits, losses, and duties within the firm.

Accounts prepared under the double-entry bookkeeping system, where the retained earnings figure on the profit and loss account matches the increase in net worth on the balance sheet, subject to changes like capital injections.

AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. These systems can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, such as decision-making, speech recognition, visual perception, and language translation.

A branch of computer science focused on creating systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. These systems can simulate human thinking, solve problems creatively, and efficiently mimic cognitive functions such as learning and reasoning.

An entity that is recognized by the law as a legal person, meaning it possesses legal rights and obligations distinct from the individuals who comprise it. Examples include companies and corporations that can engage in legal actions, own property, etc.

Commercial term denoting agreement that buyer shall accept delivery of goods in the condition in which they are found on inspection prior to purchase, even if they are damaged or defective. Latent defects are generally excepted.

The abbreviation ASB can refer to two distinct financial terms: the Accounting Standards Board, which oversees the development and implementation of accounting standards, and asset-backed security, a financial instrument backed by an underlying asset.

Asbestos is an insulation material commonly used in older buildings, which can become hazardous as it ages. It may cause severe lung illnesses if inhaled, and its safe removal or encapsulation is both costly and necessary.

The Accounting Standards Committee (ASC) is a significant entity responsible for establishing and maintaining accounting standards to ensure consistency, transparency, and reliability in financial reporting.

ASCII is a character encoding standard used for representing text in computers, telecommunication equipment, and other devices that use text. Originated from telegraphic codes, ASCII is used for text data in microcomputers, terminals, printers, and network protocols.

The 'Asked Price' is the price a property owner sets for their property when they intend to sell it. It represents the amount they are seeking from buyers. The term 'Asked Price' is commonly used in real estate transactions and is often seen as the initial price point which may be negotiated.

Asking price refers to the initial price at which an investment or property is offered for sale. It is a key term in real estate, finance, and investments, marking the starting point for negotiations.

A Statement of Basic Accounting Theory (ASOBAT) is an influential publication by the American Accounting Association advocating for user-friendly financial statements and emphasizing qualitative characteristics of accounting information.

An assay is an analytical test used primarily to determine the purity or composition of a metal sample, such as assessing whether gold is 99.5% pure.

The process of combining two or more adjoining parcels of land into one larger tract, often increasing its total value.

Assembly language is a low-level programming language that is one step above machine language. Each statement in an assembly language corresponds to a machine language statement, enabling hardware-level control with more readability compared to pure binary code.

An assembly line is a production method requiring workers to perform a repetitive task on a product as it moves along on a conveyor belt or track. It brings significant advantages such as part standardization and rationalization of work.

A facility where a production line is located and where products are assembled using systematic stages of production. This plant is fundamental in manufacturing industries, especially for large-scale production.

Assented stock refers to a security, typically an ordinary share, where the owner has agreed to the terms of a takeover bid. Different prices may be offered for assented and non-assented stock during takeover negotiations.

To evaluate or appraise the value of an asset or property for various purposes, such as taxation, sale, or insurance.

Assessable capital stocks refer to shares where stockholders may become subject to additional liabilities beyond their initial investment, typical in specific sectors such as banking or scenarios involving unpaid capital calls.

Assessed valuation refers to the dollar value assigned to a property by a municipality for the purpose of assessing property taxes. The property tax is calculated based on the number of mills per dollar of assessed valuation.

An assessment is the amount of tax or special payment due to a municipality or association, or a proportionate share of a common expense.

An assessment of deficiency refers to the determination of additional tax owed by a taxpayer following an appellate review within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a tax court adjudication, if necessary.

The Assessment Ratio is the ratio of the assessed value of a property to its market value, often used to determine property taxes. It is a vital aspect in the evaluation of real estate for taxation purposes.

A public record of the assessed value of property within a taxing jurisdiction, known as an assessment roll, lists individual tracts of land and their assessed values.

An official who determines property values, generally for real estate taxes.

In accounting terms, an asset refers to any resource owned or controlled by an entity that is expected to provide future economic benefits. Assets can be either tangible or intangible.

Asset allocation is a strategic approach involving the distribution of investments among various asset classes to optimize returns while minimizing risk. Asset proportions can be adjusted based on market conditions.

An asset bubble refers to the inflationary valuation of asset prices resulting from excess demand, often leading to a sudden market collapse.

Asset classification refers to the systematic categorization of assets on a balance sheet, distinguishing between fixed and current assets as mandated by the Companies Act and Financial Reporting Standard (FRS 102) in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

A ratio that provides a measure of the solvency of a company; it consists of its net assets divided by its debt. Those companies with high asset cover are considered more solvent.

Asset deficiency is a financial condition where a company's liabilities exceed its assets, raising concerns about the organization's financial viability.

Asset demand for money refers to the desire to hold money as a store of value rather than other forms of investment. This occurs when individuals or businesses forgo potential interest earned from assets in favor of liquidity and stability that money offers.

Asset Management involves the systematic process of developing, operating, maintaining, and selling assets in a cost-effective manner. This term is typically used in the financial world to describe the management of investments, aiming to grow their value over time and achieve higher returns.

A UK government initiative launched in February 2009 to revive bank lending in the wake of the global financial crisis by insuring banks against further losses from toxic assets.

An Asset Protection Scheme (APS) is a program designed to safeguard assets, particularly in the banking sector, by providing guarantees against a portion of an institution’s non-performing or risky assets.

The Asset Revaluation Reserve, often referred to as the Revaluation Reserve Account, represents the adjustments made to the value of a company's assets that are reflected on its balance sheet. This reserve is critical for accurately depicting the fair value of an entity's assets over time.

Asset stripping involves acquiring a company whose share price is undervalued relative to its asset value, selling its assets for profit, typically at the expense of other stakeholders.

Asset Turnover is a financial ratio that measures the efficiency of a company's use of its assets in generating sales revenue. It is an important metric to assess how well a company is utilizing its assets to produce revenue.

Asset valuation involves determining the current worth of an organization's assets, considering various valuation methods including revaluation and present value calculations.

The total value of a company's assets less its liabilities, divided by the number of ordinary shares in issue. This represents the theoretical amount attributable to each share if the company was wound up.

Asset-Backed Commercial Paper (ABCP) refers to short-term debt instruments issued by financial institutions, which are backed by physical assets such as receivables, leases, or loans.

Asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) is a short-term debt instrument issued by a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that is backed by various assets like trade receivables, auto loans, or other commercial assets.

An Asset-Backed Fund involves investing in tangible or corporate assets, such as property or shares, providing potential growth aligned with inflation, in contrast to traditional bank savings.

An Asset-Backed Medium-Term Note (ABMTN) is a type of debt security that is secured by a pool of assets and typically has a maturity period ranging from one to ten years.

An Asset-Backed Medium-Term Note (ABMTN) is a financial instrument combining the attributes of medium-term notes and asset-backed securities, typically used to raise capital through securitization.

Asset-Backed Securities (ABS) are financial instruments backed by loan paper or accounts receivable originated by banks, credit card companies, or other providers of credit, often enhanced by a bank letter of credit or by insurance coverage from a third party.

An asset-backed security (ABS) is a financial instrument that represents a claim on the cash flows generated by a pool of underlying assets, such as mortgages, car loans, or credit-card receivables.

An assets register, commonly referred to as a fixed-assets register, is a detailed ledger used by organizations to track and manage their fixed assets, including the acquisition, depreciation, and disposal of these assets.

Assigning is the act of transferring ownership or rights from one party to another. This process involves an assignor who executes the transfer and an assignee who receives it.

In automobile insurance, 'assigned risk' refers to a classification of drivers to whom insurance companies will not issue policies voluntarily due to their high-risk profile, commonly resulting from a history of accidents or violations. These individuals are assigned to insurance companies by state law and are required to pay higher premiums.

An assignee is a person, company, or entity to whom an agreement, contract, or right is sold, given, or transferred. This legal transfer allows the assignee to step into the shoes of the assignor and assume their rights and obligations under the original contract.

The act of transferring property, rights under a contract, or benefits under a trust to another person, or a document (a deed of assignment) facilitating such a transfer. This term also encompasses the transfer of bank loans between financial institutions to mitigate credit risk.

The 'Assignment of Income' doctrine is a tax principle that prevents taxpayers from avoiding tax by directing income they have earned to another person.

The transfer of a lease by the tenant (assignor) to another person (assignee). Leases are generally transferable at common law, although restrictions may apply.

A transfer of the legal right under a life-assurance policy to collect the proceeds, initiated by notifying and receiving agreement from the life insurer.

An assignor is the party who assigns or transfers an agreement or contract to another entity or individual. In a legal context, this transfer of rights or interests enables the assignee to assume the assignor's privileges and obligations under the contract.

Assimilation in finance refers to the absorption of a new issue of stock by the investing public after all shares have been sold by the issue's underwriters.