bean counter

 noun [ C ] mainly US informal disapproving

uk  /ˈbiːn ˌkaʊn.tər/ us  /ˈbiːn ˌkaʊn.t̬ɚ/

an accountant (= someone who takes care of a company's financial affairs), especially one who works for a large company and does not like to allow employees to spend money:

It looked like the project was going to be approved, but the bean counters said it wasn't cost-effective.

bean counter

noun [ C ]   informal disapproving

uk  us 

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a person who makes financial decisions for a company or government, especially someone who wants to severely limit the amount of money spent:

The Treasury's role is to act as Britain's bean counter in chief.