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

Meanwhile, Nuñez, who is an accountant at The Truth Teller, sits at his desk in the background. —Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 17 May 2025

Many business owners believe their current accountant holds unique institutional knowledge that would take years for a new provider to acquire. —Loran Armstrong, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

Culliton moved to the Chicago area and worked as an accountant for the Union Tank Car Co. and as a senior financial analyst for U.S. Gypsum before getting a law degree from John Marshall Law School in 1970. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025

Hamed, an accountant, also reportedly submitted PPP loan applications on behalf of companies owned by his clients. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 12 May 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