accrual
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for accrual, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An amount of income or expense that has been earned or incurred but not yet received or paid, recorded in the accounts for the period it belongs to.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
An amount of income or expense that has been earned or incurred but not yet received or paid, recorded in the accounts for the period it belongs to.
“The auditors questioned a large accrual for legal fees at the year end.”
2. noun
The gradual build-up of something over time, such as interest, holiday entitlement or benefits.
“Holiday accrual starts on your first day, not after probation.”
How to Use Accrual
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Formal. Standard in accounting, payroll and finance.
Etymology
From accrue, from Old French acreue 'increase', from Latin accrescere 'to grow towards', from ad- + crescere 'to grow'.
Full origin of accrual →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between accrual and cash accounting?
Accrual accounting records income and costs when they are earned or incurred, whatever date the money moves. Cash accounting records them only when cash actually comes in or goes out. Accrual gives a truer picture of a period's performance, which is why it is required for most larger companies.
What is the difference between an accrual and a prepayment?
An accrual is for something you have received but not yet paid for, so it is a liability. A prepayment is for something you have paid for but not yet received, so it is an asset. They are mirror images of the same timing problem.
What does holiday accrual mean?
It means paid leave builds up gradually as you work, usually a fixed fraction of a day for each month or hour completed, rather than being granted all at once at the start of the year.