Meaning & use
accounting firms
Last updated
Meaning
nounplural
Companies that employ accountants and provide services such as auditing, tax advice, and bookkeeping.
Grammar: Always plural; the singular is 'accounting firm'.
Patterns
- work for an accounting firm
- hire an accounting firm
- a large accounting firm
She works for one of the big accounting firms in the city.
Many small businesses hire accounting firms to handle their taxes.
The accounting firm audited the company's financial statements.
Word forms
| singular | accounting firm |
|---|
Common combinations
- big accounting firm
- He got a job at a big accounting firm after graduation.
- local accounting firm
- They use a local accounting firm for their payroll.
- accounting firm's client
- The accounting firm's clients include several restaurants.
- join an accounting firm
- She decided to join an accounting firm instead of working in a bank.
Synonyms and how they differ
- accountancy firm
- Chiefly British; means the same but is less common in American English.
- CPA firm
- American; specifically a firm of certified public accountants.
Word family
- accountant noun
- A person whose job is to keep or inspect financial records.
- accounting noun
- The activity or profession of keeping financial records.
- account noun
- A record of money received and paid, or a bank arrangement.
Commonly confused: accounting firms or accountants?
accounting firms vs accountants
Refers to the people, not the companies. 'Accounting firms' are businesses; 'accountants' are the professionals.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'accounting firms' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Accounting firms' is plural, so it takes a plural verb and is used for companies. Option D is correct. Option B is wrong because 'an' is singular and cannot go with a plural noun. Option C is wrong because the verb should be 'provide' with a plural subject.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “accounting firms”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.