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 03, 2006

by RJ April 13, 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 April 19, 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 07, 2005

by Richard Roe February 15, 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 02, 2019
