The media portrays an accountant as a tedious person with a dull-coloured suit who hates his job. This was how I depicted accountants in my head. Then I met my high school economics teacher who worked as an accountant. She was fun to be around, experimental with her business, and was well dressed which juxtaposed to my original idea of an accountant.
In my first year of University, I couldn’t understand why we had to study unrelated subjects to accounting such as marketing, management, etc. I didn’t know how integrated accounting was in the business world. In today’s money-driven society, accountants are vital in all aspects (who would have thought an “accountant” mixed up Oscars envelope). ACCA (2010) corroborates the unique nature of accountancy profession with the statement, “there is an unprecedented global demand for the services of accountants, driven by increasing regulation and much greater business complexity.”
I also questioned why there were presentation tasks in every class I had. Aren’t accountants meant to be working in front of their desks 24/7? Now I understand Macquarie was only trying to set us up for the real business world. Inevitably accountants have to interact with a diverse range of people, from people within your company (such as the Boards, those in different departments etc.) to existing and potential clients. Furthermore, as we are living in a globalised economy we are not bounded by geographical restrictions. Which is why enhancing soft skill is crucial.
In my second year, I realised I was underestimating the academic side of accounting. I thought accounting was all about debits and credits but that was the kindergarten part of accounting. Half way through the year, I recognized that the media’s portrayal of accountants wasn’t entirely false; but only captured a minute part of the profession. During the early stage of my accounting internship, I realised how repetitive and unchallenging bookkeeping was. But I believe one’s profession is what you make of it. I believe having a strong basic foundation is essential in order to fortify technical skills and specialised knowledge.
At the end of my second year I had a chance to have a job interview with a CFO from a public firm. As I stepped out of the lift and entered the place, there in front of my eyes were big blue sea and Opera House in a distant view. The place I only saw in movies. I was outraged that the media represents accountants as gloomy, mundane people after seeing this heavenly view.
Throughout this journey, I personally think of accounting profession as an exciting, diverse and versatile career that requires persistence and responsibility. I also believe that to be a successful accountant, one needs to want the clients to succeed. I had a chance to speak with a CA who previously worked for Deloitte. He said that his contribution in helping the client companies’ growth gained his clients’ trusts. Subsequently, he was monetarily compensated and drew more clients by word of mouth.
In order to make judicious professional judgments and lead the clients to success, continuous learning is the key. Especially due to advancement in information technology, the spectrum on accounting profession is ever changing. AACA (2010) provides tips on how to cope with this progression, for instance to “identify the current specific technical training requirements”, or to “identify the future technical finance roles likely to emerge”.
In conclusion, I want to be known as the accountant that my clients and my company can rely on. Ethical responsibility plays a crucial part in this society, and I am, and I want to be known as someone who takes responsibility in her actions. I constantly make efforts to be colourful yet maintain professionalism, in doing so I always aim to learn. I want to be known as someone who is continuously willing to learn, and is diligently working towards climbing up the corporate ladder.
ACCA 2010, ‘A Changing Profession? The Evolution of Accounting Roles, Skills and Career Aspirations’, Insights, 2 Nov, pp. 26.
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