Accruals refer to differences between net profit and operating cash flow, or changes in assets and liabilities on the balance sheet that are not directly traceable to net profit or loss. These are expected short-term revenues or liabilities for which no invoice or written request for payment yet exists.

Examples of accruals include deposits to provisions, depreciation, and proceeds from sales for which financial settlement has not yet been completed. Accruals play an important role in financial reporting because they help provide a more complete picture of a company's financial position.

This term is relevant to understanding complex accounting processes and how companies report their financial performance.