1. A processor-implemented method comprising: defining classification rules for assigning accounting classes and subclasses to transactions; receiving an indication of a transaction; tagging the transaction with transaction characteristics; identifying, accessing and extracting at least one of a set of relevant transaction characteristics using a data-structure-tracking syntax configured string and universal variables, wherein the universal variables comprise intermediate data objects that provide access to a plurality of disparate databases and different software application systems containing related relevant transaction characteristics data and applicable classification rules, and wherein said universal variables are organized into a business grammar hierarchy, each segment of the hierarchy following a plurality of business grammar rules for an enterprise; selecting applicable classification rules from the classification rules based on the relevant transaction characteristics and the universal variables; and assigning via a processor at least one accounting class and subclass to the transaction based on the applicable classification rules.