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 roll-up logic Yong, a chartered accountant who previously spent five years as group CEO of Tricor, founded Ascentium in 2024 with his cofounder Wendy Wang. —Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026

Warsh’s critics will likely contend AI could also hurt workers’ livelihoods by lessening the need for white-collar jobs like attorneys and accountants that have been a reliable pathway into the middle class in recent decades. —Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026

Her career goal is to become a corporate accountant. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Roach as the company’s accountant lied to investors to help DC Solar hide the lack of third-party lease revenue in the scheme, Grant said. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 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