bean counter
nounEtymology Probably from German Erbsenzähler (literally “pea counter”).
1
Derogatory, Idiomatic, Mildly A person who is excessively interested in controlling or reducing expenses, increasing profits, or in quantitative details in general.
- As any good bean counter will tell you, it costs money to treat people at a hospital.1985 August 2, “Editorial: Sniffing at DOC health costs”, in Gainsville Sun, retrieved 13 Sep 2009, page 14A:
- And, in our case, the accounting firm of Halpern & Mantovani, CPA, in Encino, Calif., Chais' chief bean counter, pumped out the quarterly statements as if it were all rock solid.2008 December 23, Robert Chew, “Who Is Bernie Madoff? Many Investors Didn't Ask”, in Time, retrieved 13 Sep 2009:
1 more example
- With bean counters hopefully no longer in charge of the railways, Great British Railways has an opportunity to justify the adjective in its name.2025 November 12, Christian Wolmar, “A proper BTP presence is worth every penny”, in RAIL, number 1048:
- Related terms
- beancount