When Accounting Goes Mainstream: Our Favorite Accountants from Pop Culture

As the saying goes, “Art imitates life,” and that’s certainly the case for actors playing accountants in television series and movies over the years. Whether they’re making calculations for a paper company or crunching numbers between battling ghosts, these pop-culture characters add a little color and fun to the world of accounting.

So just for fun, we’ve put together a list of our favorite representations in popular media and hope you’ll nerd out a bit with us. Grab your favorite snack or beverage of choice and enjoy this list of number-crunching pros you might recognize from your favorite pop culture indulgences.

Hermes Conrad – Futurama

While “Futurama” is a cartoon, we think it still counts as repping the profession. Hermes is a level 34 bureaucrat for Planet Express. A hardcore rule follower, Hermes is depicted as paranoid and with meticulous attention to detail. With those personality traits, it may not come as a surprise that Hermes can also be a bit of a killjoy. For instance, he’s earned a reputation for offering financial stats and figures to ground the other characters in reality.

The Accounting Department (Oscar Martinez, Angela Martin, and Kevin Malone) - The Office

Who can forget the popular series “The Office”? Even though the series ended in 2013, Michael Scott’s over-the-top antics as Dunder Mifflin Paper Company’s fearless leader (and world’s best boss) are still meme-worthy. Some of the employees who endure Michael’s shenanigans include the accounting team, whose characters are written in a way that represents different stereotypes of the accounting profession.

First up is Oscar Martinez. This earnest man is such a purist and devotee to the craft of accounting that he claims to be a better mathematician than a calculator. (Who are we to say, really?) At the same time, he’s honest and ethical. We’re here for it. 

His colleague Angela Martin is a little more rough around the edges and is less known for her accounting skills and more famous for her role as Dunder Mifflin’s resident cat lady. Fans know her as one of the founding members of the party planning committee who’s quick to pass the buck — and equally quick to hide one of her cats in a desk drawer.

Then there’s Kevin Malone. This poor guy’s naivete often gets him into trouble. A bit slow on the draw, he’s also known for his foot-in-mouth remarks. This combination means he’s usually the source of office laughter.

Louis Tully — Ghostbusters 

Louis Tully ticks all the boxes of the archetypical accountant — oversized glasses and a bit awkward. In the original 1984 “Ghostbusters” movie, we learn that Louis is versed in tax accounting and has proudly worked in the field for four years.

At first, we’re presented with a one-dimensional view of Louis. He’s forgetful and maybe even incompetent. However, the character arc leads him to become the official accountant of the Ghostbusters business. Who said number-loving officer workers aren’t multi-talented? After all, nothing is scarier than an IRS audit. (On second thought, an encounter with Gozer's spirit might trump that.)

Skyler White — Breaking Bad

All five seasons of “Breaking Bad” were nothing short of intense. Walter White might have been the leading character, but his wife, Skyler, also deserves some serious credit. This woman — perhaps the character viewers most loved to hate — showed fans how complicated people can be personally and professionally. She disapproves of her husband’s illegal activity, though as an accountant, she’s the brains behind purchasing a car wash to launder his ill-gotten gains. (Needless to say, we’re not going to help you with any questionable business ventures.)

Harold Crick — Stranger than Fiction

Some depictions of the accounting profession are a little…over the top. Harold Crick, the leading male character in the quirky comedy “Stranger than Fiction,” is obsessed with numbers. He counts everything in sight to a degree that would no doubt put a smile on the face of Sesame Street’s resident number fanatic, Count von Count.

But life isn’t always predictable or tidy, as Harold finds out. One fateful day, his life is turned upside down when he hears a voice in his head narrating his life. We don’t want to spoil the ending for you, but suffice it to say that this heartwarming movie’s message is that life can’t (nor should be) always be relegated to a balance sheet.

Ben Wyatt - Parks and Recreation

Ben Wyatt, the human embodiment of a spreadsheet, is a character from the beloved television show, "Parks and Recreation." A state auditor with an ill-fated political past, Ben is as known for his brief stint as a teenage mayor and the disastrous Ice Town as he is for his unwavering love for calzones - a passion matched only by his devotion to accounting and his wife, Leslie Knope. Whether he's geeking out over 'Cones of Dunshire' or trying to keep Pawnee's budget in check, Ben Wyatt is the lovable nerd we all secretly aspire to be.

Who are your favorite movie accountants? Did we miss any accountant personalities we need to include?