count, account, a count

Count or count means to find out the number of something, or how many somethings there are--
Count the forms to make sure that everyone has turned one in.
A count also means a tally; an enumeration--
After a count of the party hats and favors, I was sure we had enough.
Count or count is also a title of nobility in some countries, equal to a British earl--
The count and countess hosted the county ball each September.
He will be a count when his uncle dies.

Account or account, used with "for", means to explain--
How do you account for his attitude at the last meeting?

Account is also a noun ( thing or idea ), meaning a statement or record of expenditures or debts, and money received--
We need to update our expense account.
Account also means a business relationship with a bank or credit company, or with a store or service provider--
Your bank account is overdrawn.
His credit card account listed a charge he didn't recognize.
Would you put that on my charge account?
Your account is past due.

Account also means a tale, or a version of a story--
His account of what happened didn't match what the other witnesses saw.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The count and countess opened a charge account at a local store, according to an account from an eye witness."

Note--an "accountant" keeps financial records, for a business or for an individual--
You'll have to take that up with our accountant.
Note # 2--"viscount" ( vigh count ) is another title of nobility, below a count or earl and above a baron--
The viscount was accused of a crime, and tried in the House of Lords.
A "countess" is the wife of a count or earl--
When her son married, she became the dowager countess.
Note # 3--to be "called to account" means to have an explanation demanded of you--
He tried to charm his way out of it, but his boss called him to account.
Note # 4--"account" ( one word ) means a record of finances, or of a financial relationship--
His account with the phone company appeared on his credit record.
Not to be confused with "a count " ( two words ) meaning one earl or noble--
He will be a count when his father dies.
Or one adding or numbering of a set of things--
I did a count of the students, and they are all here.
Note # 5--"on a count of" means an enumeration of, or a numbering of--
Everyone start to run on a count of three--one, two, three, go!
Not to be confused with "on account of", an informal expression meaning because of--
On account of his leg, he was excused from gym class.