What is the term for a sum of money that is received?

The term that describes a sum of money that is received is "credit." In financial contexts, credit refers to an increase in assets or a reduction in liabilities, effectively representing money that has been received, usually recorded in accounting systems as an increase in the cash account or any other asset that has been positively impacted.

Understanding this term is crucial in various financial transactions, particularly in real estate, where credits can include payments made by buyers, incoming rents, or any other form of income received. It contrasts with expenses, which indicate outflows of cash or costs incurred, as well as liabilities and equity, which relate to an organization's financial obligations and ownership interest, respectively.