bean counter

== English == === Alternative forms === bean-counter beancounter === Etymology === Probably from German Erbsenzähler (literally “pea counter”). === Pronunciation === === Noun === bean counter (plural bean counters) (idiomatic, mildly derogatory) A person who is excessively interested in controlling or reducing expenses, increasing profits, or in quantitative details in general. ==== Usage notes ==== The term is often used to imply the person is a pedant and incapable of seeing other things or the bigger picture (more general things), but it is also widely used as a mildly derogatory term and even a facetious synonym for accountants, CEOs, CFOs, business and government officials responsible for financial decisions, etc. ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== beancount