In the imaginative world of movies, accounting isn’t a topic that comes up too often. Fair or not, movies about accounting usually depict the profession as a steady, unglamorous career choice for risk-averse intellectuals. But accounting still has its moments of glory on the silver screen—whether it’s used to save the day or just have a good laugh.
Although you can’t truly calculate the full impact of these accounting characters, it’s fun to celebrate when CPAs get the spotlight. Here are 16 of the most memorable movie accountants. Which ones do you remember?
16. Albert Brennaman in “Hitch” (2005)
The chaotic dating scene is a major challenge for accountant Albert Brennaman (Kevin James) to navigate. Fortunately, professional “date doctor” Alex Hitchens (Will Smith) is there to offer guidance. Overall, “Hitch” is a feel-good film that puts together some hilarious mishaps and heartwarming moments for its lovable star accountant.
I mean, I’ve waited my whole life to feel this miserable.
Albert Brennaman, “Hitch”
15. Calvin Joyner in “Central Intelligence” (2016)
Accountant Calvin Joyner (Kevin Hart) is disappointed with the way his life turned out, especially after being the most popular kid in high school. He reconnects with an old friend, CIA agent Bob Stone (Dwayne Johnson), who quickly leverages Joyner’s accounting skills in an espionage-driven adventure. You can count on a lot of silly humor and unexpected heroics in this accounting movie.
He sent me a friend request. That, that, that’s how this whole thing started.
Calvin Joyner, “Central Intelligence”
14. Mollie in “Look Who’s Talking” (1989)
Mollie (Kirstie Alley) is a single mother working as an accountant in New York City. Although Mollie is an incredibly memorable character, the real star of the movie might be her newborn baby Mikey (Bruce Willis), who acts as a narrator throughout. Only the audience can hear Mikey as he makes fun of his babysitter James (John Travolta) while discovering the world around him.
Excuse me, I’m in labor.
Mollie, “Look Who’s Talking”
13. Bob Cratchit in “The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992)
Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) wouldn’t have been as financially sound without his loyal accountant Bob Cratchit (Steve Whitmire, Kermit the Frog) making sure all the books were in order. Cratchit does his best to keep the staff going strong despite Scrooge’s rotten demeanor. As with all Muppet movies, there’s a wondrous mix of slapstick humor and heartfelt moments throughout.
If you please, Mr. Scrooge. It’s gotten colder and the bookkeeping staff would like to have an extra shovel full of coal for the fire?
Bob Cratchit, “The Muppet Christmas Carol”
12. Allen Gamble in “The Other Guys” (2010)
Detective Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell) highlights the stereotypes of a nerdy, cautious forensic accountant as he’s paired alongside Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg), a hot-headed cop. While the odd couple clash at first, Hoitz’s fearlessness and Gamble’s diligence help the two NYPD outcasts shine. Of course, a buddy cop action movie starring an accountant gets high marks here.
At age 11, I audited my parents. Believe me, there were some discrepancies, and I was grounded.
Allen Gamble, “The Other Guys”
11. Milton Waddams in “Office Space” (1999)
There’s a mundane office setting, a tchotchke-filled restaurant, and an open field with a faulty printer. Numbers play a central role in the plot of this cult classic too. For many “Office Space” fans, Stephen Root’s portrayal of stapler-obsessed accountant Milton Waddams is one of the most memorable parts of this accounting movie.
The ratio of people to cake is too big.
Milton Waddams, “Office Space”
10. Henry Sherman in “The Royal Tenenbaums” (2001)
This Wes Anderson dramedy features a large cast of dysfunctional characters unraveling decades of familial trauma. The steady, diplomatic counterbalance to all this angst is the Tenenbaum family’s accountant Henry Sherman (Danny Glover). Although he has ambitions to marry the family matriarch (Angelica Huston), he never lets his feelings get in the way of his professionalism.
It would probably be advantageous for your marital status to be legally established as single in light of the circumstances. I mean, with tax purposes.
Henry Sherman, “The Royal Tenenbaums”
9. Louis Tully in “Ghostbusters” (1984)
Who could forget Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) as the clumsy accountant neighbor in this iconic movie? While Tully is initially an afterthought to the Ghostbusters, that changes pretty quickly due to some supernatural forces in New York City. Tully doesn’t do much to dispel the nerdy stereotypes about accountants, but he delivers lots of laughs.
Hey, this is real smoked salmon from Nova Scotia, Canada. $24.95 a pound. It only cost me $14.12 after tax though. I’m giving this whole thing as a promotional expense. That’s why I invited clients instead of friends. You having a good time, Mark?
Louis Tully, “Ghostbusters”
8. Loretta Castorini in “Moonstruck” (1987)
You’d be forgiven for forgetting that this rom-com is technically a movie about accounting. Loretta Castorini (Cher) is an engaged widow who has an affair with her fiancé’s hot-headed younger brother. She’s also a Brooklyn-based bookkeeper. The movie doesn’t feature Castorini’s day-to-day work, but her neat, orderly tendencies play a great foil to Ronny Cammareri’s (Nicolas Cage) scattered, emotional outbursts.
Ma, I love him awful.
Loretta Castorini, “Moonstruck”
7. Harold Crick in “Stranger Than Fiction” (2006)
Despite typically being cast as an outrageous goofball, Will Ferrell surprisingly starred in two movies about strait-laced accountants in the 2000s. Here, he portrays Harold Crick, a meticulous IRS agent whose predictable life is thrown into disarray when an author’s voice in his head begins narrating his life in real time.
IRS agents, we’re given rigorous aptitude tests before we can work. Unfortunately for you, we aren’t tested on tact or good manners, so I apologize.
Harold Crick, “Stranger Than Fiction”
6. Jonathan Mardukas in “Midnight Run” (1988)
Bounty hunter Jack Walsh (Robert De Niro) is enlisted to track down accountant Jonathan Mardukas (Charles Grodin), who embezzled money from a Chicago mob boss. Although the two eventually form an unlikely friendship, the movie mostly serves as a helpful reminder about the dangers of double-crossing the wrong client.
You ever had lyonnaise potatoes? They are these types of potatoes that are sautéed but then they have this onion thing added to them, and they are really, really delicious. They work well with any, uh, chicken or pork dish. You know I could set you up with lyonnaise potatoes for the rest of your life.
Jonathan Mardukas, “Midnight Run”
5. Anne Yum in “Quiz Lady” (2023)
Anne Yum (Awkwafina) is a proudly predictable accountant with a “C.P.Yay!” mug and a beloved pug. She’s a lifelong quiz show fan and has an incredible flair for trivia, which her sister Jenny (Sandra Oh) quickly discovers. You can expect a heartwarming sibling storyline, a high-stakes competition, and nonstop humor. As far as accounting movies go, this is one you can’t miss.
I am not fine. My armpits are like Niagara Falls.
Anne Yum, “Quiz Lady”
4. Oscar Wallace in “The Untouchables” (1987)
It’s widely known that infamous gangster Al Capone was convicted for tax evasion instead of his more reprehensible activities. This crime-drama embellishes Capone’s takedown into a high-octane affair where accountants like Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith) work alongside police in the name of justice. The shootouts? Fabricated. But the movie makes sure to credit diligent auditing as Capone’s ultimate comeuppance.
Take it easy, take it easy, everything’s gonna be fine.
Oscar Wallace, “The Untouchables”
3. Deirdre Beaubeirdre in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022)
IRS auditor Deirdre Beaubeirdre (Jamie Lee Curtis) finds herself at the epicenter of a multiverse collision in this Academy Award-winning film. There’s family drama, existential exploration, and cosmic chaos amidst the auditing. Despite initially being seated behind a cluttered desk in a nondescript office, Beaubeirdre stands out in this movie—and it’s not entirely for her auditing prowess.
Look, I cannot imagine anything mattering more concerning your tax liability.
Deirdre Beaubeirdre, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
2. Andy Dufresne in “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)
In this critically acclaimed classic, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is a wrongfully convicted accountant that’s sentenced to life in prison. At one point, he uses his professional expertise to gain favor with the warden by helping him cheat on his taxes. Sure, these actions are unethical, but it’s tough to assign too much blame to Dufresne, especially given his circumstances.
Bad luck, I guess. It floats around. It’s got to land on somebody. It was my turn, that’s all. I was in the path of the tornado. I just didn’t expect the storm would last as long as it has.
Andy Dufresne, “The Shawshank Redemption”
1. Christian Wolff in “The Accountant” (2016)
It’s safe to say there aren’t many accounting movies like “The Accountant” out there. This aptly named accounting movie sees sole practitioner Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) audit a robotics company. While the movie features a bit more action than the average accounting job, Wolff has an acute knack for details that any CPA can admire. “The Accountant” is truly an accounting movie that adds up to the top spot on this list.
I’ll need to see all those books for the past ten years. Bank statements, complete list of clients and vendors. Hard copies printed out. My eyes only. All the information’s right here.
Christian Wolff, “The Accountant”
