accountant

American  

[uh-koun-tnt] / əˈkaʊn tnt /

noun

1. a person whose profession is inspecting and auditing personal or commercial accounts and providing financial advice to the account holders.

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accountant British  

/ əˈkaʊntənt /

noun

1. a person concerned with the maintenance and audit of business accounts and the preparation of consultant reports in tax and finance

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Other Word Forms

• accountantship noun

Etymology

Origin of accountant

First recorded in 1425–75; account + -ant; replacing late Middle English accomptant, from Middle French, Old French acuntant, present participle of acunter “to account ”

Compare meaning

How does accountant compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• actuary vs. accountant

Example Sentences

Five years of paying $500 a month for a bedroom in a shared apartment—on an accountant’s salary—enabled Ben Neville to train for a new career as a pilot.

From The Wall Street Journal

On a bright winter day, AFP met former accountants, doctors and engineers turning to the free bowls of soup and pasta on offer.

From Barron's

Among the suspects are five Kurum International managers, an administrator and an accountant.

From Barron's

Records show the school's accountants Bell Barr and Company resigned last October, stating to Companies House this was over the same unaudited dormant company accounts being lodged with Companies House.

From BBC

A little-known and specialized type of accountant serves as a behind-the-scenes guardian for musicians and other creative types in the complex field of royalty accounting.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• actuary
• analyst
• auditor
• bookkeeper
• clerk