D&A — Depreciation & Amortization
Definition: Non-cash expenses that spread the cost of tangible (depreciation) and intangible (amortization) assets over their useful lives. D&A is the gap between accounting profit and cash flow.
Example
In board meetings, you'll often hear something like: "Let's pull the latest D&A numbers before we make a call" — shorthand for depreciation & amortization.
When you'll hear it
D&A shows up most often in board meetings, quarterly business reviews, and strategy off-sites. When someone uses it, they're usually referring to depreciation & amortization — and they expect the room to already know what that means.
FAQs
What does D&A stand for?
D&A stands for Depreciation & Amortization.
What does D&A mean in business and finance?
Non-cash expenses that spread the cost of tangible (depreciation) and intangible (amortization) assets over their useful lives. D&A is the gap between accounting profit and cash flow.
Where will I hear D&A used at work?
D&A comes up most often in board meetings, quarterly business reviews, and strategy off-sites. It's used as shorthand for depreciation & amortization, so people assume you already know the term.