accounting machine

1. A machine that (a) usually is keyboard-actuated and (b) prepares accounting records, such as tabulations. 2. A machine that (a) reads data from (i) external storage or (ii) input data media, such as punched cards, magnetic tapes, or perforated tapes, and (b) automatically produces accounting records, such as tabulations, usually on continuous forms. Seeelectrical accounting machine. See alsokeyboard, continuous form, data, data medium, external storage, magnetic tape, perforated tape, punched card, read, record.