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

Two days before his death, Epstein made Indyke and Kahn, Epstein's accountant, coexecutors of his estate. —Ava Berger, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026

Occupations such as construction laborers, janitors, electricians, barbers, and bartenders, may largely be in the clear, whereas accountants, office clerks, customer service reps, and software developers could be the hardest hit. —Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 18 Mar. 2026

Town officials then hired a forensic accountant to examine the town’s financial records, which allegedly revealed that Maclean had manipulated the town’s computer system to embezzle funds, according to the warrant affidavit. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026

Temporary accountants were hired to assist. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 17 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