This glossary lists the terms and command words that students most often mix up in SPM Accounting. Each has an English name, a Malay equivalent, a short example and the term it is commonly confused with.
Use it beside SPM Accounting while you study. The BM-English terminology bridge adds Chinese explanations. Check your own textbook for exact Malay wording.
Terms
| English | Malay | Meaning and example | Confused with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asset | Aset | Something the business owns, such as RM4 000 of equipment. | Expense |
| Liability | Liabiliti | Something the business owes, such as a RM2 000 loan. | Capital |
| Capital | Modal | The owner’s stake in the business. | Cash |
| Drawings | Ambilan | Money or goods the owner takes out for personal use. | Wages |
| Receivables | Belum terima (penghutang) | Customers who owe the business money from credit sales. | Payables |
| Payables | Belum bayar (pemiutang) | Suppliers the business owes money to. | Receivables |
| Inventory | Inventori (stok) | Goods held for sale, such as RM11 000 of goods at year end. | Purchases |
| Purchases | Belian | Goods bought for resale during the year. | Inventory |
| Gross profit | Untung kasar | Net sales minus cost of goods sold. | Net profit |
| Net profit | Untung bersih | Gross profit plus other income minus expenses. | Gross profit |
| Trading account | Akaun dagangan | Statement that finds gross profit. | Profit and loss statement |
| Statement of financial position | Penyata kedudukan kewangan | Assets, liabilities and capital at one date. | Trial balance |
| Trial balance | Imbangan duga | List of ledger balances to test debits against credits. | Statement of financial position |
| Journal | Jurnal | Book of first record for a transaction. | Ledger |
| Ledger | Lejar | Accounts where entries are posted and balanced. | Journal |
| Accrued expense | Belanja terakru | Expense used but not yet paid. | Prepaid expense |
| Prepaid expense | Belanja prabayar | Payment made for a future period. | Accrued expense |
| Depreciation | Susut nilai | Yearly share of an asset’s use, not cash paid. | Accumulated depreciation |
| Carriage inwards | Angkutan masuk | Delivery of purchases to the business. | Carriage outwards |
| Carriage outwards | Angkutan keluar | Delivery of sales to customers. | Carriage inwards |
What do the question words ask for?
Command words tell you the shape of the answer. The Malay form is the wording used in a Malay paper.
| English | Malay | What to write |
|---|---|---|
| State | Nyatakan | A short fact, without explanation. |
| Calculate | Hitung | Figures with working shown. |
| Prepare | Sediakan | A full statement or account in the correct format. |
| Explain | Jelaskan | A reason, using a because or so. |
| Distinguish | Bezakan | Two items, each described so the difference is clear. |
Circle the command word before you start. A correct calculation in answer to “explain” earns little. For more on reading papers, see the Accounting exam guide and check the current format on the Lembaga Peperiksaan website.
How to use this page
Pick the terms you confuse, such as gross and net profit, and read the pair together. Then try the lessons that show them in use: distinguishing gross and net profit and adjusting accruals and prepayments.
If you want a teacher to go through terms and questions with you, see online one-to-one Accounting tuition.