What is "accounting machine"

n. (context accounting computing dated English) A business machine useing keys or stored data, that tabulates, adds, subtracts, and totals.

An accounting machine, or bookkeeping machine or recording-adder, was generally a calculator and printer combination tailored for a specific commercial activity such as billing, payroll, or ledger. Accounting machines were widespread from the early 1900s to 1980s, but were rendered obsolete by the availability of low-cost computers such as the IBM PC.

This type of machine is generally distinct from unit record equipment (some unit record machines were also called accounting machines).