accountant

1 of 2

noun

ac·​coun·​tant ə-ˈkau̇n-tᵊnt 

1

: one that gives an account or is accountable

2

: one who is skilled in the practice of accounting or who is in charge of public or private accounts

accountantship

ə-ˈkau̇n-tᵊn(t)-ˌship 

noun

accountant

2 of 2

adjective

obsolete

: accountable, answerable

I stand accountant for as great a sin

—William Shakespeare

Examples of accountant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The suit says that in May 2013, Jane Doe opened a bank account at Bank of America at the direction of Epstein’s accountant, Richard Kahn and an immigration attorney as part of a plan to defraud immigration officials. —Dan Mangan, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026

Her brother, former chief of staff and her accountant were also charged. —Stephen Groves, Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2026

The lawsuit demands at least $3 million in damages, a transfer of account control and an independent accountant to track all transactions. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026

Her brother, former chief of staff and accountant were also charged. —Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English accomptaunt, accountant "official in charge of accounts," borrowed from Anglo-French acomptant, noun derivative of accountaunt, present participle of acunter, acompter "to account entry 2"

Adjective

Middle English accomptaunt, borrowed from Anglo-French accountaunt, from present participle of acunter, acompter "to account entry 2"

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing accountant

• certified public accountant
• chartered accountant
• cost accountant
• turf accountant

Kids Definition

accountant

noun

ac·​coun·​tant

ə-ˈkau̇nt-ᵊnt

: a person professionally trained in accounting