Definition
A journal entry made at the corporate level above the normal operational accounting system, often used for adjustments or consolidation. It's headquarters overriding local books, sometimes legitimately, sometimes suspiciously.
Example Usage
The auditors scrutinized every topside entry over $100,000, knowing that's where earnings management often hides.
Origin
Emerged with multi-entity corporate structures and consolidation requirements
Fun Fact
Topside entries are a favorite tool for fraud because they bypass normal controls and can be made by a small group, which is why auditors focus on them intensely.
Source: Corporate accounting and audit risk assessment
Related Terms
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See “Topside Entry” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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