Consolidated

Consolidated is an adjective and past participle used to describe things that have been combined into a single, unified entity. The word derives from the Latin consolidare, meaning to make solid. In English usage, it often implies integration, centralization, or the strengthening of distinct parts into one whole.

In finance and accounting, consolidated financial statements present the position and results of a parent company together with its subsidiaries as if they were a single entity. Consolidation requires eliminating intercompany transactions and balances to avoid double counting, and it typically allocates a non-controlling or minority interest to owners other than the parent. International and national accounting standards, such as IFRS and US GAAP, provide guidelines for which entities must consolidate and how to present the data.

In logistics and information technology, consolidation refers to combining multiple shipments or data sources to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Shipment consolidation groups orders destined for the same region or route. Data consolidation merges data from several systems into a centralized repository or warehouse, often using ETL processes.

In law, consolidation can mean the merging of related court cases for joint handling, trial, or appeal. In personal finance, debt consolidation consolidates several debts into one loan with a single payment, often with the aim of securing a lower interest rate or simplified management.