| The accountant is widely considered to be a | | | | · Lack of communication skills (common |
| human computer without a personality. They are | | | | perception) |
| often the target of vicious jokes in publications, | | | | · Critical of fellow professionals |
| e-mails and discussions. Accounting students at | | | | · Low quality work (for high fees) |
| colleges are for the most part considered a | | | | With so many clients at some firms, accountants |
| "nerdy class". | | | | are pushing through poorly prepared financial |
| Many people consider a career in accounting, for | | | | reports. This also ties into the greed, raking in as |
| the financial rewards, not the career in itself. | | | | much hours/fees as possible. No wonder, |
| The rigorous studying and training could have | | | | accountants are seen as the scum of the earth. |
| something to do with this "boring" perception. But | | | | The Accounting Artist: An artist loves what he |
| also the conservative clubs and societies that | | | | does, whether he gets paid or not. The |
| accountants are compelled to belong to. A host of | | | | accountant should view every report or |
| laws governing the profession removes the | | | | assignment as a "work of art", that requires |
| accountant at times, from reality. | | | | diligent time and attention. Or better still, he should |
| After the collusion in fraud at Enron, World Com | | | | see his assignment, as a creative process, fewer |
| and other corporate failures, the word "crook", | | | | reports would be returned for correction or |
| also comes to mind. So the accountant might be | | | | clarification. |
| sought after for his number crunching and tax | | | | By creating professional files for every client, and |
| skills. But in the minds of most people, businesses | | | | preparing "working papers" for every assignment, |
| and the man on the street, alike, they are not | | | | not- just- audits, the accountant will enjoy his |
| respected. | | | | assignments more. |
| Accounting degrees vary, but very few of them | | | | Building blocks and safeguards are also put in |
| include proper communication skills in their courses. | | | | place, since every relevant detail, from the clients |
| A common critique of accountants is that they | | | | phone number to his banks statement are placed |
| cannot convey the highly technical accounting | | | | on file. Lead schedules connecting information to |
| information to the laymen. The users of | | | | accounts are clearly referenced. After all the |
| accounting information incur high fees to make | | | | notes are concluded, a financial statement, cash |
| critical decisions about their businesses and | | | | flow forecast or business plan is produced. Just |
| organizations.So they justified, if they demand | | | | like a Picasso. Accountants should shy away from |
| proper interpretation of financial reports. | | | | auditing/ working paper software. Retain the |
| A stiff culture permeates many accounting firms, | | | | manual process. Painters don't use software. |
| regimented by practice rules, accounting standards | | | | Other software tools such as spreadsheets, is |
| and even government ordinances. Accountants | | | | imperative. But accountants rush through some |
| complain about "compliance" issues, but are | | | | reports, (using auditing software) after years of |
| oblivious to the fact that their inputs, at tax | | | | repeating the cycle; they get bored, and also |
| workshops, contributed to all these laws, which | | | | become boring in the process. |
| they claim to detest. | | | | Fewer, but high profile assignments can be taken |
| Some salient points need to be addressed beyond | | | | on. A client would not hesitate to pay a higher |
| the funny nerdy images of accountants. | | | | fee, for a quality report. |
| They are: | | | | The accounting artist using all the tools at his |
| · Greed, very high fees for a simple | | | | disposal, will not produce fraudulent financial |
| report or short consultation. | | | | statements. |