Whether it’s to expedite communication or to simplify complex jargon, acronyms have become an integral part of our business lexicon. Here, we will present must-know abbreviations and acronyms in 2025 for each of the following categories:
- General Acronyms
- Performance-Related Acronyms
- Time-Related Acronyms
- Communication Acronyms for Email, Phone & Chat (e.g. Slack)
- Financial Acronyms
- Marketing Acronyms
- Sales Acronyms
- Technical And IT Acronyms
- HR Acronyms
- Job & Department Titles
General Acronyms
There are many acronyms used in professional settings that may also be the common-day language used in social settings. We are presenting the following list because of their widespread use and applicability in various industries and organizational contexts.
- ASAP: As Soon As Possible
- ETA: Estimated time of arrival
- FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- IMO: In my opinion
- LMK: Let me know
- NSFW: Not safe for work
- FYI: For Your Information
- SME: Subject matter expert
- BID: Break it down
- NWR: Not work-related
- RFD: Request for discussion
- R&D: Research and Development
- SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
To learn more about these acronyms, refer to this guide from MindTools: “99 of the Best Business Acronyms Explained”
Performance-Related Acronyms
Whether it’s individual performance, team performance, or organizational performance, having a clear understanding of key metrics and indicators is essential for driving growth and achieving objectives. To navigate the complex landscape of performance evaluation and analysis, these acronyms provide a concise and standardized language for discussing performance.
- CSF: Critical Success Factor
- KPA: Key Process Area
- KPI: Key Performance Indicator
- KRA: Key Results Area
- KRI: Key Risk Indicator
- OGSM: Objective, Goals, Strategies and Measures
- OKR: Objective and Key Results
- SMART: Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-bound
- PA: Performance appraisal
To learn more about these acronyms, refer to this guide from PerformYard: “From KPIs to OKRs: Your Quickstart Guide to Performance Acronyms.”
Time-Related Acronyms
To effectively navigate through schedules, deadlines, and project timelines, time-related acronyms have become invaluable. These acronyms provide a shorthand way to communicate specific time frames and intervals, ensuring efficient coordination and clarity
- COB: Close of business
- EOD: End of day
- EOM: End of message OR end of month
- EOW: End of week
- H1: First Half
- H2: Second Half
- MoM: Month over month
- MTD: Month to date
- Q1: Quarter 1
- Q2: Quarter 2
- QoQ or Q/Q: Quarter-over-Quarter
- YoY or Y/Y: Year-over-Year
- YTD: Year to date
To learn more about these acronyms, refer to this guide from Medium: “What is the meaning of Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, H1, and H2 in business terms?” and ClicData: “Reporting acronyms YTD, YoY, MTD, MoM Explained”
Communication Acronyms for Email, Phone & Chat (e.g. Slack)
These communication acronyms enable quick and clear messaging, ensuring smooth and productive communication within teams and across departments. Whether you’re composing a professional email, participating in a conference call, or collaborating in a chat channel, mastering these acronyms will enhance your communication skills and keep you in sync with modern workplace dynamics.
- NRN: No reply necessary
- OOO: Out of office
- OTP: On the phone
- Re: Referring to
- EOT: End of thread
- POC: Point of contact
- TL;DR: Too long, didn’t read
- TLTR: Too long to read
- TYT: Take your time
To learn more about communication acronyms, refer to this guide from HubSpot: “20 Email Acronyms and Abbreviations to Memorize ASAP”
Financial Acronyms
The financial landscape is filled with specialized terms and concepts, often represented by acronyms. In this section, we will cover acronyms related to financial statements, accounting practices, investment terms, and regulatory bodies.
- AP: Accounts payable
- APR: Annual Percentage Rate
- AR: Accounts receivable
- BS: Balance sheet
- CPA: Certified Public Accountant
- CPU: Cost per unit
- CR: Credit
- DR: Debit
- EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization
- EPS: Earnings Per Share
- FIFO: First-In, First-Out
- GAAP: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
- IPO: Initial Public Offering
- IRS: Internal Revenue Service
- LIFO: Last in, first out
- LWOP: Leave without pay
- NAV: Net assets value
- NPV: Net Present Value
- P-card: Purchase card
- P/E: Price-to-Earnings ratio
- P&L: Profit and loss
- ROA: Return on Assets
- ROE: Return on equity
- ROI: Return on investment
- SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission
To learn more about financial acronyms, refer to this guide from YourDictionary: “Financial Abbreviations: General, Banking and Stocks”
Marketing & Sales Acronyms
Marketing and sales professionals rely on acronyms to communicate efficiently and effectively. In this section, we will delve into acronyms commonly used in marketing strategies, digital marketing, advertising, sales techniques, lead generation, customer relationship management, and more.
- ACV: Annual Contract Value
- ARPU: Average Revenue Per User
- ASP: Average Selling Price
- B2B: Business-to-Business
- B2C: Business-to-Consumer
- CAC: Customer Acquisition Cost
- CPM: Cost Per Thousand
- CRM: Customer Relationship Management
- CRO: Conversion Rate Optimization
- CTA: Call-to-Action
- CTR: Click-Through Rate
- MQL: Marketing Qualified Lead
- PPC: Pay-Per-Click
- SEM: Search Engine Marketing
- SEO: Search Engine Optimization
- SERP: Search Engine Results Page
- SQL: Sales Qualified Lead
- UGC: User-Generated Content
- UI: User Interface
- WOM: Word-of-Mouth
To learn more about these acronyms, refer to this guide from HubSpot: “75 Marketing & Business Acronyms & Abbreviations Every Industry Pro Should Know”
Technical and IT Acronyms
In this section, we will cover acronyms commonly used in technical discussions, IT infrastructure, programming languages, network protocols, and software development. The selected acronyms are important for understanding and navigating the technical aspects of the digital landscape.
- API: Application Programming Interface
- CPU: Central Processing Unit
- CSS: Cascading Style Sheets
- DNS: Domain Name System
- FTP: File transport protocol
- HTML: Hypertext Markup Language
- HTTP: HyperText transfer protocol
- HTTPS: HyperText transfer protocol secure
- IM: Instant messaging
- IoT: Internet of Things
- IP: Internet protocol
- ISP: Internet service provider
- LAN: Local Area Network
- OS: Operating system
- QA: Quality assurance
- RAM: Random Access Memory
- RSS: Rich site summary OR really simple syndication
- SDK: Software Development Kit
- SQL: Structured Query Language
- SSL: Secure Sockets Layer
- URL: Universal resource locator
- UX: User Experience
- VPN: Virtual Private Network
- WAN: Wide Area Network
- TOS: Terms of Service
To learn more about these acronyms, refer to this guide from ActiveBatch: “IT Acronyms You Need to Know”
HR Acronyms
In this section, we will explore acronyms related to HR processes, employee management, compliance, benefits, and workplace policies. These acronyms have been chosen based on their relevance and significance in HR operations and practices.
- FMLA: Family and Medical Leave Act
- PTO: Paid Time Off
- EEO: Equal Employment Opportunity
- HRIS: Human Resources Information System
- OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- ATS: Applicant Tracking System
- D&I: Diversity and Inclusion
- SHRM: Society for Human Resource Management
- EAP: Employee Assistance Program
- ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
- HSA: Health Savings Account
- ERG: Employee Resource Group
- L&D: Learning and Development
- COBRA: Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
- I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification Form
- TA: Talent Acquisition
- LMS: Learning Management System
- C&B: Compensation and Benefits
- EE: Employee Engagement
- PIP: Performance Improvement Plan
To learn more about Human Resource acronyms, refer to this guide from Preply: “Top 50 HR abbreviations & acronyms”
Job Titles and Departments
Next up, we cover acronyms related to various job titles and departments, ranging from executive positions to specialized roles. The selected acronyms represent common and widely recognized job titles and departments in the business world.
- Acc: Accountant
- Admin: Administrator
- Analyst: Data Analyst
- AVP: Assistant Vice President
- BD: Business development
- CAO: Chief analytics officer
- CCO: Chief Communications Officer
- CDO: Chief Data Officer
- CEO: Chief executive officer
- CFO: Chief Financial Officer
- CFP: Certified financial planner
- CHRO: Chief Human Resources Officer
- CIO: Chief Information Officer
- CMO: Chief Marketing Officer
- COO: Chief operating officer
- CSO: Chief security officer
- CSR: Corporate social responsibility
- CTO: Chief Technology Officer
- Dir: Director
- Eng: Engineer
- HR: Human resources
- HRM: Human Resources Manager
- IT: Information Technology
- Mgr: Manager
- PM: Project manager
- PR: Public Relations
- QA: Quality Assurance
- R&D: Research and development
- VP: Vice President
- FTE: Full-time employee
- PTE: Part-time employee
To learn more about these acronyms, refer to this guide from ONGIG: “Job Title Abbreviations & Acronyms”
By being familiar with these acronyms, you can enhance your understanding and participation in various business-related conversations. It’s not just about keeping up with the lingo; it’s about ensuring effective and efficient communication in an ever-evolving business landscape.