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

In the sequel — an action thriller following up 2016’s The Accountant — Ben Affleck reprises his role as Christian Wolff, a CPA with autism and a talent for solving complex problems who leads a double life as a forensic accountant for criminal organizations. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025

There’s a real opportunity, then, for any band with cachet to rehire their accountants and secure one last legacy-cementing swan song. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025

So everyone, every bank, every law firm, every accountant firm, wants some [of that money]. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 9 Nov. 2025

Recently, however, the situation took a serious turn when the 28-year-old accountant living alone was surprised, on more than one occasion, by police officers standing at her door, searching for someone else. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025

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