Business Abbreviations • 7ESL (2024)

Discover a comprehensive guide to commonly used business abbreviations. Enhance your professional communication with an understanding of acronyms essential for the corporate world.

Common Business Abbreviations

Financial Abbreviations

In the world of finance, some common abbreviations include:

AP: Accounts Payable – The amount owed by a company to its suppliers or vendors for goods or services
AR: Accounts Receivable – Money owed to a company by its customers for products or services rendered
BS: Balance Sheet – A financial statement that summarizes a company’s assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity
CFO: Chief Financial Officer – The executive responsible for managing the company’s financial activities
CPA: Certified Public Accountant – A professional accountant who has met certain education and experience requirements

Other notable financial abbreviations are:

Abbreviation	Definition
ROCE	Return on Capital Employed
ROI	Return on Investment
EBITDA	Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization
P&L	Profit and Loss Statement
EPS	Earnings Per Share

Marketing and Sales Abbreviations

When dealing with marketing and sales, some commonly used abbreviations include:

B2B: Business to Business – Transactions between businesses, such as between a manufacturer and a wholesaler
B2C: Business to Consumer – Transactions between a business and end consumers, such as a retail store selling products to the public
KPI: Key Performance Indicator – A quantifiable measure used to evaluate the success of an organization, employee, or project

More marketing and sales abbreviations are:

Abbreviation	Definition
SEO	Search Engine Optimization
CRM	Customer Relationship Management
CTR	Click-Through Rate
NDA	Non-Disclosure Agreement
SEM	Search Engine Marketing

Operational Abbreviations

In the realm of operations, there are several common abbreviations:

COB: Close of Business – The end of a traditional workday
FIFO: First In, First Out – An accounting and inventory management method where the items received first are sold or consumed first
HQ: Headquarters – The main office or center of operations for a business
HR: Human Resources – The department responsible for managing employee-related activities, such as hiring, payroll, and benefits

Additional operational abbreviations include:

Abbreviation	Definition
SOP	Standard Operating Procedure
RFP	Request for Proposal
WFH	Work from Home
TQM	Total Quality Management
SaaS	Software as a Service

These abbreviations are essential in the business world, helping to make communication more efficient and keeping professionals informed.

Role-Specific Abbreviations

This section covers abbreviations commonly used in business for various roles, with a focus on C-Suite and Management abbreviations, as well as Technical and IT abbreviations.

C-Suite and Management Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are relevant for C-Suite and Management roles in a business context:

CEO– Chief Executive Officer, the highest-ranking executive in a company.
CFO– Chief Financial Officer, responsible for managing the financial aspect of a business.
CTO– Chief Technology Officer, oversees the development and management of a company’s technology.
CIO– Chief Information Officer, responsible for managing the information technology and computer systems.
CMO– Chief Marketing Officer, oversees marketing and advertising initiatives.
COO– Chief Operations Officer, manages the day-to-day operations of a company.
VP– Vice President, a high-level executive position below the president.
President– An executive role responsible for overseeing the operations and strategy of an organization.

Technical and IT Abbreviations

In the Technical and IT domain, the following abbreviations are commonly used:

IT– Information Technology, the use of computers and computer systems to manage information.
SEO– Search Engine Optimization, a technique to improve a website’s visibility on search engines.
API– Application Programming Interface, a set of rules that allow different software systems to communicate with each other.
UI– User Interface, the visual elements and layout used for human-computer interaction.
UX– User Experience, the overall satisfaction and usability of a product from a user’s perspective.
Data– Refers to any information that is stored electronically, including numerical, text, and multimedia files.
Software– A set of instructions for computers to execute specific tasks or functions.
Hardware– The physical components of a computer or computing device, such as processors, memory, and storage.
Network– A group of interconnected devices that can communicate and share data with each other.
Security– The protection of computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, theft, or damage.
Cloud– The use of remote servers to store, manage, and process data, instead of local storage or personal computers.

Workplace and Communication Abbreviations

Email and Messaging Abbreviations

In today’s fast-paced business environment, abbreviations are commonly used to enhance efficiency in workplace communication. These abbreviations are particularly useful in email and messaging contexts.

ASAP: As Soon As Possible. This abbreviation is used when requesting urgent action or response.
FYI: For Your Information. When sharing information without requiring any action or response.
ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival. Used to communicate the expected time of completion or delivery.
EOD: End Of Day. Indicates a deadline set for the end of the working day.
CC: Carbon Copy. Used in emails to include additional recipients who need to be informed but not necessarily involved in the conversation.
BCC: Blind Carbon Copy. Similar to CC, but the other recipients can’t see who is included in the BCC list.
IMO: In My Opinion.Used to express personal opinions or perspectives.
TL;DR: Too Long; Didn’t Read. A summary of a long text or a request for a summarized version.
NSFW: Not Safe For Work. Indicates that the content of a message should not be viewed in a professional context.

Remote Work Abbreviations

The rise in remote work has also spurred a range of abbreviations specific to this context. It’s essential to understand and use these abbreviations, especially when working in virtual teams.

WFH: Work From Home. Denotes that an individual is performing work tasks at their home rather than at the office.
PTO: Paid Time Off. Refers to an employee taking time off from work with pay, such as vacations, personal days, or sick time.
COB: Close Of Business. Similar to EOD, it signifies the deadline set for the end of the working day.
FTF: Face To Face. Used when discussing in-person meetings or appointments rather than virtual ones.
SMH: Shaking My Head. Conveys disbelief or disappointment and is often used in casual conversations, not recommended for formal business communication.
BRB: Be Right Back. Indicates that the person will momentarily be away from their working device but will return shortly.

Familiarity with these workplace and communication abbreviations is necessary for efficient communication in the modern business environment. They enable employees to convey information and interact with their colleagues quickly and effectively.

Business Abbreviations and Acronyms List

Job Titles and Department Abbreviations

List of job titles and department abbreviations in business.

BKPR: Bookkeeper
CAO: Chief Accounting Officer
CEO: Chief Executive Officer
CFO: Chief Financial Officer
CIO: Chief Information Officer
CMO: Chief Marketing Officer
COO: Chief Operating Officer
CPA: Certified Public Accountant
CTO: Chief Technology Officer
PRO: Public Relations Officer
Director R&D: Director of Research and Development
HRM: Human Resource Manager
CDO: Chief Data Officer
RMP: Risk Management Professional
AAMS: Accredited Asset Management Specialist
AASA: Assistant Area Sales Advisor
AAVP: Associate Administrator for Veterans Programs
AB: Administrative Board
ABCP: Associate Business Continuity Planner
ABM: Area Business Manager
ABR: Accredited Buyer’s Representative
ABW: Activity Based Workplace
AC: Academic Counselor
ACC: Association Corporate Counsel
AD: Assistant Deputy
AD: Assistant Director
ADC: Assistant District Commissioner
ADAF: Associate Director of Administration and Finance
ADI: Advanced Driving Instructor
ADOF: Associate Director of Finance
ADRP: Assistant Director for Research and Planning
AM: Administration Manager
ABA: Accredited Business Accountant
AM: Accounts Manager
AA: Accounting Assistant
STRATCOM: Strategic Communications
ADR: Associate Dean for Research
ADU: Academic Development Unit
PA: Personal Assistant
PR Dept.: Public Relations Department
IT Dept.: Information Technology Department
HR Dept.:Human Resource Department

Finance and Accounting Abbreviations

List of finance abbreviations and accounting abbreviations in English.

A/R: Accounts Receivable
ACCG: Accounting
ACCT: Account
ACR: Accrual
ACV: Actual Cash Value
AGI: Adjusted Gross Income
AGR: Adjusted Gross Revenue
AIR: Assumed Interest Rate
AP: Accounts Payable
APR: Annual Percentage Rate
ARM: Adjustable Rate Mortgage
B&C: Bonds and Coupons
BGT: Budget
BS: Balance Sheet
CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate
CAP: Capital
CAPEX: Capital Expenditures
CD: Certificate of Deposit
CF: Cash flow
CL, LTL: Liabilities (current and long-term)
COB: Close of Business
COGS: Cost of Goods Sold
CPA: Certified Public Accountant
CR: Credit
DR: Debit
EA: Enrolled Agent
EFT: Electronic Funds Transfer
EPS: Earnings Per Share
ETF: Exchange Traded Funds
FA, CA: Assets (fixed and current)
FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FIFO: First In, First Out
FOREX: Foreign Exchange
FRB: Federal Reserve Board
GAAP: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
GL: General Ledger
GNP: Gross National Product
GP: Gross Profit
IRA: Individual Retirement Account
LC: Letter of Credit
LIFO: Last In, First Out
LLC: Limited Liability Company
LOI: Letter Of Intent
MMKT: Money Market
MTD: Month-to-Date
NAV: Net Asset Value
NCND: Non-Circumvent and Non-Disclosure
NDA: Non-Disclosure Agreement
NI: Net Income
NYSE: New York Stock Exchange
OC: Opportunity Cost
OE: Equity and Owner’s Equity
P&L: Profit and Loss
P/E: Price to Earnings Ratio
PC: Percent
Pd: Paid
PSP: Profit Sharing Plan
PV: Present Value
QTD: Quarter-to-Date
Re or RE: In Reference to, Retained Earnings
REIT: Real Estate Investment Trust
ROA: Return On Assets
ROCE: Return On Capital Employed
ROE: Return On Equity
ROI: Return on Investment
ROIC: Return on Invested Capital
RONA: Return On Net Assets
ROS: Return on Sales
SEC: Securities Exchange Commission
SIV: Structured Investment Vehicle
TSA: Tax-Sheltered Annuity
TSR: Total Shareholder Return
WC: Working Capital
YTD: Year-to-Date
YTM: Yield To Maturity

Social Media Abbreviations

List of social media acronyms and digital marketing abbreviations in English.

Business Slang Terms: Email Abbreviations

List of email business abbreviations in English.

FYI: For Your Information
GMTA: Great Minds Think Alike
RUOK: Are you Okay?
ASAP: As Soon As Possible
BTW: By The Way
EOD: End Of Day
ATTN: Attention
N/A: Not Applicable
COB: Close Of Business
TBD: To Be Decided
RSVP: Please Respond
2MI: Too Much Information
2M2H: Too Much To Handle
AFC: Away From Computer
AEAP: As Early As Possible
AFK: Away From Keyboard
AMBW: All My Best Wishes
A/N: Author’s Note
APP: Application
ATEOTD: At The End Of The Day
AWOL: Away Without Leaving
AWOL: Absent Without Leave
AYDY: Are You Done Yet?
AYEC: At Your Earliest Convenience
AYW: As You Want / As You Wish
CHK: Check
HAG1: Have A Good One
HAU: How About You?
H2CUS: Hope To See You Soon
HAND: Have A Nice Day
HF: Have Fun
IAC: In Any Case
IHNI: I Have No Idea
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion
IMO: In My Opinion
JLMK: Just Let Me Know
JW: Just Wondering
KUTGW: Keep Up The Good Work
OOTO: Out Of The Office
PLMK: Please Let Me Know
WYSIWYG: What You See Is What You Get
YOY: Year Over Year
YTD: Year To Date

General Business Abbreviations

Learn general business abbreviations in English.

Personnel & Organization Abbreviations

AGT: Agent
HR: Human Resources
Slsmn: Salesman
Secl: Secretarial
PR: Public Relations
QC: Quality Control
R&D: Research and Development
Wrkr: Worker
Wrhse: Warehouse

Legal Abbreviations

HQ: Headquarters
Inc.: Incorporated
IPO: Initial Public Offering
LBO: Limited Buy Out
Ltd.: Limited Company
LLC: Limited Liability Corporation

Technical Abbreviations

API: Application Program Interface
CPU: Central Processing Unit
CSS: Cascading Style Sheet
FTP: File Transport Protocol
HTML: Hyper Text Markup Language
HTTP: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
HTTPS: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure
IM: Instant Messaging
IP: Internet Protocol
ISP: Internet Service Provider
OS: Operating System
QA: Quality Assurance
UI: User Interface
WYSIWYG: What You See Is What You Get

Productivity Abbreviations

GTD: Getting Things Done
MITs: Most Important Things
OHIO: Only Handle It Once
GPP: Gross Primary Productivity
HPCS: High Productivity Computing Systems
SDP: Software Design and Productivity
PI: Productivity Index
PLB: Productivity Linked Bonus
PC: Productivity Commission
SPR: Software Productivity Research

Attendance, Time tracking and Start up

AA: Attendance Allowance
ADA: Average Daily Attendance
AMS: Attendance Management System
ATAAPS: Automated Time, Attendance, and Production System
COA: Cost of Attendance
FR: Face Recognition
RTT: Real Time Tracking
TRUE: Tracking Real-Time User Experience
CTT: Critical Time Tracking
TTS: Time Tracking Software
TTS: Time Tracking System
RTTS: Real Time Tracking System
SaaS: Software-as-a-Service
SU: Start Up
SUP: Start Up Program
SUE: Start Up and Expansion

Technology Abbreviations

IP: Internet Protocol
IETF: Internet Engineering Task Force
ATM: Asynchronous Transfer Mode
IT: Information Technology
ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange
LAN: Local Area Network
SNMP: Simple Network Management Protocol
FTP: File Transfer Protocol
WWW: World Wide Web
DNS: Domain Name System
PDF: Portable Document Format
RF: Radio Frequency
XML: Extensible Markup Language
IANA: Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
SIP: Session Initiation Protocol
ITU: International Telecommunication Union
OSI: Open Systems Interconnection
PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network
GUI: Graphical User Interface
EDI: Electronic Data Interchange
ISP: Internet Service Provider
TCP: Transmission Control Protocol
FDDI: Fiber Distributed Data Interface
ISO: International Standards Organization
UDP: User Datagram Protocol
ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organization
MAC: Media Access Control
MTP: Message Transfer Part
OS: Operating System
BGP: Border Gateway Protocol
OSPF: Open Shortest Path First
QA: Quality Assurance
SNA: Systems Network Architecture
VPN: Virtual Private Network
AIN: Advanced Intelligent Network
API: Application Programming Interface
ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning
NTIS: National Technical Information Service
RAM: Random Access Memory
AI: Artificial Intelligence
ARP: Address Resolution Protocol
BRI: Basic Rate Interface
CM: Configuration Management
CO: Central Office
DSL: Digital Subscriber Line
PDU: Protocol Data Unit
URL: Uniform Resource Locator
ANI: Automatic Number Identification
DES: Data Encryption Standard
DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
ITU: International Telecommunication Union
SMS: Short Message Service
WAP: Wireless Application Protocol
AES: Advanced Encryption Standard

Other Business Abbreviations

ADP: Automated Data Processing
Approx: Approximately
Attn:Attention
BAT:Business Action Theory
BCC:Blind Copied
BIMS:Business Information Management Suite
BPC:Business Planning Cycle
ETA:Estimated Time of Arrival
EXP:Export
GDP:Gross Domestic Product
GMP:Good Manufacturing Practices
Pls:Please
Qty:Quantity
TBD:To Be Determined
Thx:Thanks
Trd:Trade
Trnsfr:Transfer
Ttl:Total
Unltd:Unlimited
Utlztn:Utilization
W/O:Without
Wst:Waste
Whol.: Wholesale
Wrkshp:Workshop
Wrldwd:Worldwide

Common Business Acronyms | Pictures

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is APR?

APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. It represents the annual cost of borrowing, including interest and fees, as a percentage. APR is commonly used in financial services, such as loans and credit cards, to help consumers understand and compare the full cost of borrowing.

Define CMS?

CMS refers to Content Management System. It is software that enables users to create, edit, and manage digital content, such as websites, blogs, or online applications. CMS simplifies the process of managing content for non-technical users while offering features to support collaboration, version control, and various media formats.

What does FYI mean?

FYI stands for “For Your Information.” It is a commonly used abbreviation in business communication to share information that may be useful or relevant but does not require any immediate action or response. FYI is often used in emails, memos, and other informal communication channels.

Explain PPC?

PPC is short for Pay-Per-Click, a digital advertising model in which advertisers pay a fee each time their ad is clicked by a user. This model is common in search engine marketing, where ads appear alongside search results based on keywords and bidding. PPC helps drive targeted traffic to a website or landing page, with the cost determined by the competitiveness of the chosen keywords.

Abbreviation for business owner?

There isn’t a specific abbreviation for ‘business owner,’ but “CEO” (Chief Executive Officer) or “GM” (General Manager) are common titles for those who hold significant leadership positions within a company, making high-level decisions and overseeing daily operations.

Acronym for business management?

There isn’t a universal acronym for business management, but “MBA” (Master of Business Administration) is a relevant acronym in the field. An MBA is a graduate degree that covers various aspects of business management, including finance, marketing, operations, and strategy, preparing individuals for leadership roles in the business world.