Glossary: A
Accrued interest – Interest that has been earned but not received.
Actuary – a mathematician in the insurance field. Responsible for calculating premiums, developing plans and defining underwriting risk.
Accumulation plan – An arrangement which enables an investor to purchase mutual fund shares regularly in large or small amounts.
Agent – a licensed individual who represents several insurance companies and sells their products.
Annual Report – A financial report sent yearly to a publicly held firm’s shareholders. This report must be audited by independent auditors.
Annuitant – An individual who purchases an annuity and will receive payments from that annuity.
Annuity – A contract that guarantees a series of payments in exchange for a lump sum investment.
Ask price – A proposal to sell a specific quantity of securities at a named price.
Assets – What a firm or individual owns.