[Vocabulary] Bookkeeping

[Cynthia Garett]

Hello,

I've just looked up the word "bookkeeper" and it says it means "accountant", but it should not be confused with something to do with accounting or finance. How's that so? Doesn't "accountant" mean someone who works in accounting?

Thank you.

 

[bhaisahab]

Hello,

I've just looked up the word "bookkeeper" and it says it means "accountant", but it should not be confused with something to do with accounting or finance. How's that so? Doesn't "accountant" mean someone who works in accounting?

Thank you.

Where did you find that definition?

 

[Cynthia Garett]

Where did you find that definition?

Here: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bookkeeper

 

[bhaisahab]

Here: Bookkeeper | Define Bookkeeper at Dictionary.com

That link does not say that it means accountant.

 

[Cynthia Garett]

Bookkeeper Synonyms, Bookkeeper Antonyms | Thesaurus.com

This is where it says it means accountant. And in the first link it says it can be confused with "accounting'. Therefore it shouldn't.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Bookkeeper Synonyms, Bookkeeper Antonyms | Thesaurus.com

This is where it says it means accountant. And in the first link it says it can be confused with "accounting'. Therefore it shouldn't.

They are in the same functional area, but an accountant does far more than a bookkeeper.

 

[Tdol]

Bookkeeper Synonyms, Bookkeeper Antonyms | Thesaurus.com

This is where it says it means accountant. And in the first link it says it can be confused with "accounting'. Therefore it shouldn't.

Be careful when using a thesaurus. A thesaurus links similar or related words, but that does not always mean that they are synonyms. It also says underneath that accountant is a related word, which is not the same as a synonym. Bean counter, which is also mentioned in the entry, is a term used for accountants, but it is not exactly the same as it is a negative word and informal. Thesaurus entries rarely give much information, so they're of limited use IMO.

 

[Raymott]

I find the best use for a thesaurus is when I know what I want to say but can't think of the most felicitous (apt, germaine , well chosen, well expressed, well put, choice, fitting, suitable,appropriate, apposite, pertinent, germane, to the point, relevant, congruous, apropos) way of saying it.