bean counting
noun
usually disparaging
: financial decision-making or analysis done by bean counters
We see ignorance in the bureaucratic bean counting that threatens to overtake thoughtful, well-informed teaching. 
English Journal
English Journal
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha's enthusiasm for bean counting is surpassed only by her enthusiasm for pasting those beans into award-winning crop art. Star Tribune, 13 Mar. 2021 These have stemmed from a culture of excessive bean counting in plane construction—not product decisions, which have been sound. Jon Sindreu, WSJ, 15 Jan. 2020 The individual, who was an attorney in the civil division of the office, said O’Connell fostered an anxiety among his employees through his frequent angry outbursts and constant bean counting of his employee’s political contributions. Andrew Keiper, Fox News, 22 May 2018 Festivities include a raffle, jelly-bean counting contest and a visit from the Easter Bunny. 'sam' Boyer/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, 16 Mar. 2018 Festivities include a raffle, jelly-bean counting contest and a visit from the Easter Bunny. 'sam' Boyer/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, 16 Mar. 2018 Festivities include a raffle, jelly-bean counting contest and a visit from the Easter Bunny. 'sam' Boyer/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, 16 Mar. 2018 And, to be clear, this is not merely an exercise in bean counting. NBC News, 25 Mar. 2018 Festivities include a raffle, jelly-bean counting contest and a visit from the Easter Bunny. 'sam' Boyer/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, 16 Mar. 2018 See More
Star Tribune, 13 Mar. 2021 These have stemmed from a culture of excessive bean counting in plane construction—not product decisions, which have been sound. Jon Sindreu, WSJ, 15 Jan. 2020 The individual, who was an attorney in the civil division of the office, said O’Connell fostered an anxiety among his employees through his frequent angry outbursts and constant bean counting of his employee’s political contributions. Andrew Keiper, Fox News, 22 May 2018 Festivities include a raffle, jelly-bean counting contest and a visit from the Easter Bunny. 'sam' Boyer/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, 16 Mar. 2018 Festivities include a raffle, jelly-bean counting contest and a visit from the Easter Bunny. 'sam' Boyer/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, 16 Mar. 2018 Festivities include a raffle, jelly-bean counting contest and a visit from the Easter Bunny. 'sam' Boyer/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, 16 Mar. 2018 And, to be clear, this is not merely an exercise in bean counting. NBC News, 25 Mar. 2018 Festivities include a raffle, jelly-bean counting contest and a visit from the Easter Bunny. 'sam' Boyer/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, 16 Mar. 2018 See More Word History
First Known Use
1976, in the meaning defined above