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Glossary
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Refund accounting

What is refund accounting?

Refund accounting is a financial practice that involves the management and tracking of money returned to customers. It's a critical aspect of business operations because it affects revenue, profit margins, and customer satisfaction.

In detail, when a customer returns a product or cancels a service, they're often entitled to a refund. The business needs to account for these refunds correctly in their financial statements. This involves reversing revenue that was previously recognized and potentially recognizing an expense for the returned product. Refund accounting can become complex, particularly for businesses with significant volumes of returns or cancellations, but it is crucial for accurate financial reporting and for maintaining trust with customers.

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