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

Plus, taking out funds before age 59½ could trigger a 10% penalty, with some exceptions, said Collado, who is also a certified public accountant and a member of CNBC's Financial Advisor Council. —Jessica Dickler,kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2026

This credit increased by $200 per child under the Working Families Tax Cut, signed into law in July 2025, according to Lisa Greene-Lewis, a certified public accountant (CPA) with TurboTax. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 21 Feb. 2026

The deal, if approved by a judge, would bring an end to a 2024 lawsuit filed against Epstein‘s former personal lawyer Darren Indyke and former accountant Richard Kahn, who are co-executors of Epstein‘s estate. —Reuters, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026

Money troubles Andrew’s financial standing has long been shrouded in secrecy among the Royal family, the Windsors, and their tax accountants. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 Feb. 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