bean counter

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

bean counter

slang derrogatory term used in referring to accountants.

i would hate to be a bean counter for a living. i would rather be poor and have a personality.

by RJ April 13, 2003

bean counter

Someone who is in upper management, typically a chairman or CEO of a large corporation, who only cares about cutting costs and pleasing investors.

Jack: Do you know why we're being laid off?
Dan: It's because of those pesky bean counters

by QCAudit January 7, 2016

bean counter

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 7, 2005

bean counter

One who accounts for the residents of a Hispanic neighborhood.

Those Bean Counters are working for Immagration

by Richard Roe February 11, 2006

Bean counter

The new employee down at your local Chipotle, that is single handedly trying to save the business by giving you tiny ass portions.

The fukkin bean counter gave me half as much rice when I asked for brown and white rice.

by Dedcau5 January 2, 2019