Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
bean counter. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
bean counter, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
bean counter in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
bean counter you have here. The definition of the word
bean counter will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
bean counter, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Probably from German Erbsenzähler (literally “pea counter”)
Pronunciation
Noun
bean counter (plural bean counters)
- (idiomatic, mildly derogatory) A person who is excessively interested in controlling or reducing expenses, increasing profits, or in quantitative details in general. The term is often used to imply the person is a pedant and incapable of seeing other things or the bigger picture (more general things), but it is also widely used as a mildly derogatory term and even facetious synonym for accountants, CEOs, CFOs, business and government officials responsible for financial decisions, etc.
1985 August 2, “Editorial: Sniffing at DOC health costs”, in Gainsville Sun, retrieved 13 September 2009, page 14A:As any good bean counter will tell you, it costs money to treat people at a hospital.
2008 December 23, Robert Chew, “Who Is Bernie Madoff? Many Investors Didn't Ask”, in Time, retrieved 13 September 2009:And, in our case, the accounting firm of Halpern & Mantovani, CPA, in Encino, Calif., Chais' chief bean counter, pumped out the quarterly statements as if it were all rock solid.
Translations
person excessively interested in expenses and quantitative details