Contas

Contas is the Portuguese term commonly translated as "accounts" or "bills." It figures prominently in finance, accounting, commerce, and everyday life, and its exact meaning depends on context.

In accounting, contas refers to the individual ledger entries that track financial resources and obligations. A chart of accounts groups these entries by category (assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, expenses). In double-entry bookkeeping, each transaction affects at least two contas: debits and credits must balance.

In banking and personal finance, contas can mean financial accounts such as bank accounts, investment accounts, or digital wallets. These contas show balances, transaction histories, and ownership details, and they enable transfers and payments.

In everyday language, a common use is "contas a pagar" or "contas a receber" meaning bills to pay or amounts owed to the company. Managing contas involves tracking due dates, amounts, and payment status, with late payments potentially impacting credit and relationships with suppliers.

In digital platforms and IT, "conta" (singular) or "contas" (plural) refer to user accounts used to access services, apps, or systems. Security practices include authentication, access control, and privacy settings.

Legal and regulatory contexts may define how contas are reported in financial statements, including classifications and subtotals on balance sheets and income statements.