WYSIWYG
WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) describes programs, particularly in page layout and word processing, in which the document displayed on the screen accurately represents the printed output.
WYSIWYP (What You See Is What You Print)
Describes graphics applications that use a color management system to calibrate printers and monitors so that printout will reproduce the colors and resolution of the image displayed on the screen.
XBRL
XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) is a global framework for exchanging business information digitally, aimed at improved efficiency, accuracy, and transparency in financial reporting.
Y.K. (Yugen-Kaisha)
Y.K. or Yugen-Kaisha is a Japanese business designation for a form of corporation similar to a limited liability company in other jurisdictions.
Yahoo
Yahoo is a prominent web services provider, well-known for its search engine that helps users find information on the World Wide Web. It also offers a plethora of other Internet services, including email and news.
Yankee Bond
A Yankee bond is a debt instrument issued in the United States by a foreign entity. These bonds are denominated in dollars and subject to regulation by U.S. authorities.
Yankee Bond Market
The Yankee Bond Market involves dollar-denominated bonds issued in the United States by foreign banks and corporations. Issuers tap this market when conditions in the U.S. are more favorable compared to other international or domestic bond markets.
Yard
A yard can refer to an enclosed area primarily used for storage or repair, or a unit of measurement equivalent to 36 inches or a cubic yard for the sale of various products like coal and concrete.
Year
A year is traditionally understood as a period of time consisting of 365 days, or 366 days in a leap year, which represents one complete orbit of the Earth around the Sun.
Year of Assessment
The Year of Assessment (YA) is the calendar year in which income for the preceding year, referred to as the 'basis year,' is assessed for tax purposes. It is a crucial concept in understanding the tax cycle and filing deadlines.
Year-End
Year-end refers to the end of an accounting period, which may align with the calendar year or a fiscal year, and is a pivotal moment when financial books are closed.
Year-End Dividend
A year-end dividend is a distribution of profits made by a corporation to its shareholders, declared at or near the end of the business year and typically paid from retained earnings.
Year-to-Date (YTD)
The accumulation of accounts from the start of the fiscal year to the latest available period. Sales, purchases, and profits for any current week or month may be displayed year-to-date.
Yellow Book
The colloquial name for the 'Admission of Securities to Listing,' a book issued by the Financial Conduct Authority that sets out regulations for admission to the Official List of the London Stock Exchange and the obligations of companies with listed securities.
Yellow Dog Contract
A Yellow Dog Contract is an employment agreement that explicitly prohibits the employee from joining labor unions under the threat of dismissal. Although historically utilized, such contracts are now generally deemed illegal due to federal and state labor laws.
Yellow Sheets
The Yellow Sheets are daily publications issued by the National Quotation Bureau (NQB) that detail the bid and asked prices and the firms making a market in corporate bonds traded in the Over-the-Counter (OTC) market.
Yield
Yield is a measure of the income generated from an investment over a particular period, expressed as a percentage of the investment's cost or current market value. This concept applies variably to fixed-interest securities and equities.
Yield Curve
A visual representation that plots the yields of bonds with varying maturities. It is an essential tool for understanding market sentiment and interest rate expectations.
Yield Equivalence
Yield equivalence is the rate of interest at which a tax-exempt bond and a taxable security of similar quality provide the same after-tax return. This concept is essential for investors comparing tax-exempt and taxable investment options.
Yield Management: Maximizing Revenue Efficiency
Yield management, also known as revenue management, is a strategy used in various industries to optimize income and profit through dynamic pricing and resource allocation.
Yield Spread
Yield spread refers to the difference in yields between various issues of securities, often related to issues with different credit qualities. It is a key metric in the bond market, comparing securities that don't share identical maturity and quality.
Yield to Average Life
Yield to Average Life (YAL) is a calculation used to estimate the expected return of a bond, assuming that parts of the bond issue are retired systematically prior to its final maturity date. This is common in cases where a sinking fund is involved.
Yield to Call
Yield to Call (YTC) refers to the yield on a bond or other fixed-income security assuming that the bond will be redeemed by the issuer at the first call date specified in the indenture agreement. YTC is particularly important for callable bonds, as it helps investors gauge the potential return if the bond is called before maturity.
Yield to Maturity (YTM)
Yield to Maturity (YTM) is the total return anticipated on a bond if it is held until it matures. YTM takes into account the bond's current market price, par value, coupon interest rate, and the time to maturity.
Yield to Maturity (YTM)
Yield to Maturity (YTM), often referred to as Gross Redemption Yield, is a crucial financial metric for investors, reflecting the total return expected on a bond if held until it matures.
Yo-Yo Stock
Yo-Yo Stock refers to stock that fluctuates in a volatile manner, rising and falling quickly like a yo-yo. This type of stock exhibits rapid and unpredictable changes in value within short periods.
YouTube
YouTube is a popular video-sharing platform where users can upload, watch, and share videos of various types, from homemade content to professionally produced clips. Since its acquisition by Google in 2006, YouTube has grown into a significant cultural and commercial entity.
YUPPIE
The term YUPPIE is an acronym for Young Urban Professional. It gained popularity in the 1980s to describe young career individuals with relatively high incomes and education, aspiring for instant success and gratification, sometimes beyond their financial means.
Z-Score
The Z-Score is a multivariate formula developed by Edward I. Altman in 1968 that measures the likelihood of business failure using multiple discriminant analysis. The UK variant was introduced by Richard J. Taffler in 1983.
Zero Coupon Bond
A zero coupon bond is issued at a discount and matures at its face value, paying no interest during its life. It is a deep discount bond and offers a unique investment opportunity.
Zero Economic Growth
Zero economic growth occurs when the national income of a country neither grows nor falls. Some groups advocate for zero economic growth as a solution to problems like pollution and resource depletion.
Zero Inventory
A strategic inventory management approach emphasizing minimal stock levels to cut costs and enhance organizational efficiency. Known for its potential to significantly boost profitability.
Zero Population Growth (ZPG)
Zero Population Growth refers to a condition where the number of people in a specified population neither grows nor declines, effectively resulting in a steadiness of population size. This is achieved when the number of births plus immigration equals the number of deaths plus emigration over a specific period.
Zero-Base Budget
A zero-base budget (ZBB) is a cash-flow budget where the manager responsible must prepare and justify all expenditures from a zero base, assuming no prior spending commitments. This method compels a thorough review of each cost element, contrasting sharply with the incremental budget, which adjusts previous budgets.
Zero-Base Budget (ZBB)
Zero-base budgeting (ZBB) is a method of budgeting in which all expenses must be justified for each new period, starting from a 'zero base.' This approach contrasts with traditional budgeting, which typically only requires justification for incremental changes to the budget.
Zero-Base Budgeting (ZBB)
Zero-Base Budgeting (ZBB) is a budgeting method where all expenses must be justified for each new period, starting from a 'zero base.' Unlike traditional budgeting, no expenses are automatically carried forward from the previous period.
Zero-Rated Goods and Services
Zero-rated goods and services are taxable for value-added tax (VAT) purposes but are currently subject to a tax rate of zero. In contrast to exempt supplies, VAT attributable to zero-rated supplies is allowable for input tax credit.
Zero-Sum Game
A zero-sum game is an economic and strategic situation in which the sum of the gains and losses of all participants equals zero. In such scenarios, whatever one party gains is exactly balanced by the losses of the other parties.
ZIP Code
A ZIP Code is a five-digit numerical code defined by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to simplify and expedite mail distribution. The United States is divided into 10 large geographical areas, with the first ZIP code digit 0 in the northeast and 9 in the west. The second and third digits are used to divide states, while the fourth and fifth digits represent local delivery areas.
ZIP+4
ZIP+4 codes provide a more precise means of mail delivery by appending four additional digits to the standard five-digit ZIP code. This enhancement supports greater efficiency and accuracy for business mailers.
Zombie Companies
A zombie company is a business that continues to operate despite being insolvent or bankrupt, often propped up by banks or investors even though it does not generate sufficient revenue to service its debts.
Zone of Employment
The physical area within which injuries to an employee are compensable by workers' compensation laws. It denotes the place of employment and surrounding areas, including the means of entrance and exit, that are under control of the employer.
Zoning
Zoning is a legislative action, often at the municipal level, that divides municipalities into districts to regulate the use of private property and the construction of buildings within these established zones. Zoning is part of the state's police power and must further the health, morals, safety, or general welfare of the community.
Zoning Map
A zoning map is a vital tool in urban planning and real estate management that depicts the zoning designations of different areas within a local jurisdiction. These maps guide property owners, developers, and policymakers in understanding the permissible land uses and coordinating development activities.
Zoning Ordinance
A zoning ordinance is a regulation enacted by city, county, or other local authorities to specify the types of land uses allowed in specific areas. These ordinances ensure orderly development and separate conflicting land uses.

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.