Accounting is the practice of recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions to provide a picture of a company's financial health, focusing on past and present data. Finance is a broader discipline that uses accounting information, along with theoretical knowledge and market analysis, to manage an organization's assets and liabilities, make investment decisions, and plan for the future. While both are essential for business, accountants focus on accuracy and reporting, while finance professionals use this data to strategize, forecast, and allocate capital to optimize financial performance.