# Accumulated deficit

> Accumulated deficit — Retained earnings below zero — cumulative losses exceeding cumulative earnings, presented as a negative within equity, as at almost every venture-funded startup.

Source: https://lopifi.com/glossary/accumulated-deficit
Part of: Lopifi — US GAAP books on autopilot, reviewed by a CPA (https://lopifi.com)

---

**What is accumulated deficit?** In accounting, accumulated deficit means retained earnings below zero — cumulative losses exceeding cumulative earnings, presented as a negative within equity, as at almost every venture-funded startup.

## Words this system refuses for it

- negative equity (equity can stay positive after paid-in capital)

- **Category:** Equity & financing
- **Specified in:** [Lexicon](https://lopifi.com/md/docs/domain/11-lexicon)
- **Related:** retained-earnings, equity, as-at