NATIONAL DAYBUSINESS

National Bean Counter Day

National Bean Counter Day is a friendly nudge to cook more from the garden — bean counter included.

APR16

Friday, April 16Every year on April 16

days to go

Roots: Founded by Kevin Wenig, CPA of Trumbull, Connecticut
Vibe: A lighthearted and educational celebration.
Also on Apr 16: World Voice Day · Pathway Day · Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day
Hashtag: #NationalBeanCounterDay

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Ways to celebrate

Small, doable ways to celebrate National Bean Counter Day.

Cook bean counter simply — olive oil, salt, heat.
Learn one new preparation (roast, pickle, grate, purée).
Put it in a dish where you normally wouldn't.
Shop local produce this week and pick the ugliest good-looking one.
Teach a kid how to prep it with you.

Make it your kind of celebration

Family
Cook one vegetable-centered meal together, even if it's just a side.
Kids
Let them pick the seasoning. Ranch counts.
Couples
Visit a farmers market together and build dinner from whatever looked best.
Office
Upgrade the office snack tray with something in season.
School
Start a classroom garden project, even a small windowsill one.
Community
Volunteer with a garden, farm, or food recovery program.
Just me
Try one new preparation — roast, pickle, grill — and cook it for just you.

Plan ahead

National Bean Counter Day is observed on April 16 every year. Here is where it lands for the next ten years, handy for planners, marketers and party people.

2026Thu, Apr 16this year

2027Fri, Apr 16

2028Sun, Apr 16

2029Mon, Apr 16

2030Tue, Apr 16

2031Wed, Apr 16

2032Fri, Apr 16

2033Sat, Apr 16

2034Sun, Apr 16

2035Mon, Apr 16

2036Wed, Apr 16

Add to my calendar (repeats yearly)

Fast facts

The first CPA exam was administered in New York on December 15, 1896.

Hundreds of forensic accountants work for the FBI, alongside hundreds of special agents who are CPAs.

The story

National Bean Counter Day, observed every April 16, is every accountant’s favorite day of the year. After the flutter and the flurry of preparing taxes right up until the stroke of midnight, these diligent number crunchers are well past due for a day off.

Read the full story

The term ‘bean counter’ hasn’t always referred to accountants. Like many phrases, it was much more literal before it morphed into the idiom we use today, not unlike meeting a customer at the deli counter or fabric counter, clerks once met consumers at the bean counter. Over time, the phrase came to describe accountants who watched each and every penny, or bean, that went in and out of the business.

Once April 16th rolls around, it’s time to give the accountants a break. All the receipts have been tallied, and all the various tax forms in duplicate and triplicate have been submitted. After the last couple of months of debits and credits, the time has come for all bean counters to take a well-deserved break and turn off the phone.

Kevin Wenig, a CPA from Trumbull, Connecticut, founded National Bean Counter Day to ensure April 16th is an official day off for accountants everywhere. So don’t call, text, email, or visit your accountant, if you see one, send a ‘thank you’ their way and share it with #NationalBeanCounterDay.

Did you know?

Bean Counter Roots

The nickname ‘bean counter’ began as a literal term for counter clerks before becoming shorthand for detail-minded accountants.

Founded by a CPA

Kevin Wenig, a CPA from Trumbull, Connecticut, founded the day to give accountants an official day off after tax season.

Debit and Credit

Debit and credit derive from the Latin debere (to owe) and credere (to entrust), the two sides of double-entry bookkeeping.

First CPA Exam

The first CPA exam was administered in New York on December 15, 1896.

FBI Accountants

The FBI employs hundreds of forensic accountants, plus hundreds of special agents who are CPAs.

Al Capone

Al Capone was ultimately arrested and convicted on tax evasion charges.

Day After Tax Day

April 16 is the day after U.S. Tax Day, making it the perfect time for accountants to take a break.

Around the world

Every culture celebrates a little differently.

USUnited StatesOn April 16, Americans give their accountants a well-earned break after the whirlwind of tax filings in duplicate and triplicate.
MXHow to ObserveDon’t call, text, email, or visit your accountant today, give the bean counters a day of peace.
BRBrazilIf you are a bean counter yourself, take the day off and return to a more normal routine.
ITDebit vs. CreditThe accounting terms debit and credit derive from the Latin debere (to owe) and credere (to entrust).
INIndia‘Bean counter’ came to mean accountants who watch each and every penny, or bean, that goes in and out of a business.
MAShare the LoveUse #NationalBeanCounterDay on social media to thank the number-crunchers in your life.