Beans are a cheap commodity, so to count them is a rather silly thing to do. A "bean counter" is one who nitpicks over small things in order to save costs. It is a derogatory term for accountants, bankers, and anyone who holds a financial interest in an endeavor.
The Saturn ION's oil filter housing is cheap plastic because bean counters decided that a metal one was too expensive.
by kevinthenerd October 3, 2006
by RJ April 14, 2003
Someone who is in upper management, typically a chairman or CEO of a large corporation, who only cares about cutting costs and pleasing investors.
by QCAudit January 8, 2016
a banker or accountant
Though he was a simple bean counter, he really thought he needed some form of self-defense so he decided he wanted to learn Kung-Fu.
by Light Joker January 8, 2005
by Richard Roe February 12, 2006
The new employee down at your local Chipotle, that is single handedly trying to save the business by giving you tiny ass portions.
by Dedcau5 January 2, 2019