A counting house, or counting room, was traditionally an office in which the financial books of a business were kept. It was also the place that the business received appointments and correspondence relating to demands for payment. As the use of counting houses spread in the 19th century, so did their reputation as being often uncomfortable and dreary places to work. See also Accounts payable Count room, a secure room for counting cash Exchequer Factory (trading post), a fortified settlement for the counting houses of overseas merchants References Business terms Accounting systems Rooms