Pronunciation: [ˈakt͡ʃuːə͡lz] (IPA) 
The word "actuals" is a plural noun that refers to the real or existing facts or events. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈæk.tʃu.əlz/, which is pronounced as "ak-choo-uhls". The spelling of the word includes a silent "c" after the letter "t" and a silent "s" at the end. The correct pronunciation of this word is important in business settings where it is often used to refer to a company's financial data or budget.
Actuals refers to the real or factual data or figures that represent specific events, occurrences, or values. It is the opposite of estimates, predictions, or hypotheticals. Actuals are the concrete and tangible results or outcomes that have been observed or measured, providing an accurate representation of a situation or state.
In business and financial contexts, actuals commonly refer to the actual financial results or performance of a company, as opposed to projected or anticipated values. This may include actual revenue, expenses, profit or loss, cash flows, or other financial metrics. Actuals serve as a benchmark for comparing against forecasts, budgets, or targets, providing an objective evaluation of performance and serving as a basis for decision-making.
In project management, actuals refer to the actual time, resources, and costs expended during the execution of a project. By comparing actuals against planned values or estimates, project managers assess project progress, identify deviations or variances, and make necessary adjustments to keep the project on track.
In accounting, actuals represent the actual values recorded in financial statements, such as the actual amount of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, or expenses. These figures are based on factual data and are used to present an accurate financial picture of an organization.
In summary, actuals encompass the real, observed, and measured data or figures that faithfully represent an event, situation, or value. They serve as a reference point for evaluation, analysis, and decision-making in various domains, including finance, business, project management, and accounting.
The term "actuals" is derived from the word "actual", which originated from the Latin word "actualis". The Latin word is formed by combining "actus" (meaning "act" or "deed") and the suffix "-alis" (indicating "relating to" or "pertaining to"). The word "actual" entered the English language in the late 14th century, meaning "real" or "existing in fact". "Actuals" is simply the plural form of "actual", commonly used to refer to factual or real data, especially in financial or statistical contexts.
