As soon as we utter the word “accountant”, a lanky figure appears before us. Droopy eyes and a boring expression, holding a heavy briefcase with papers sneaking from within, rushing towards the metro station. A different imagination would be that of an over-occupied man sitting in front of a computer screen frantically pressing numbers on a calculator and making notes and diagrams that resemble an ancient cult’s relics.
Change the word to “Chartered Accountant” and our imaginations present the stark opposite. A celebrity-like figure with straight out of the red-carpet look, wearing a pricy tuxedo holding the smartest phone and conversing in language so fluent they might as well be nominated as the diplomatic ambassadors of the state.
Fact is the exact description of an accountant is the perfect mid-point of these two extremes. They do not really wear tuxedos in daily routines, and no, they are not boring. On the contrary, their lives are quite happening as they experience the vast horizons of business dealings and management practices that a regular person does not. The question, however, remains, what exactly does an accountant do in his or her daily routine?
Coffee, Tea and Company
Accountants are not dry and anti-social. They have friends, colleagues, peers and social contacts whom they regularly connect. Like everyone else’s, an accountant’s day begins with greeting their colleagues and discussing things over a mug of refreshing coffee or tea. Typically, discussions among colleagues encompass a wide range of issues. You do not expect an accountant to drone on about XYZ’s budget report and then slink back into his cabin. He talks about the weather, the new sports car model and its unprecedented features, how the soccer match last night was so thrilling, and more. They greet a peer who rejoined after a sick leave and congratulate a newly married colleague.
Engage. Analyze. Conclude. Repeat
One would say the fun lasts till the coffee does. For an accountant, the fun has just begun. Once in his cabin or workstation, an accountant gears up for the serious stuff. He looks into his daily tasks, manage bookkeeping, prepare reports, analyze his client’s financial progress and come up with strategies to improve business or company’s performance. This takes several hours of his time as this is a task that demands attention and precision. However, accountants are pro at their work to the extent that they can converse in the middle of an analysis and still remember what they were doing.
During the task, accountant will discuss any confusions or complexities with his or her colleagues. A good discussion always yields the best results.
Compile the Piles
Accountants have piles of work, all of sensitive nature. Accountant divides his time for each task and prioritizes work according to deadlines. He compiles information for a client’s tax returns submission due in three days. Next up is managing payroll for his company as the big day for employees is just around the corner. This is followed by budgeting for another client. A scheduled meeting with a potential client is also in line and he makes the necessary preparations for that.
Sometimes, accountants perform all these tasks and more simultaneously. One can only wonder how they do this.
Meetings and Dealings
Accountants have to meet their clients too in order to discuss ongoing financial matters or approach a new client. Meetings can include several aspects of business. Accountant may have to meet with his clients to clear out inaccuracies in transactions, exchange documents and information for tax return or VAT filing, answer queries, and discuss future strategies to keep the business on top of the market. Prior to such meetings, the accountant prepares the necessary documents, creates presentations and notes complete with charts and diagrams and plan the line of action.
When meeting with a new client, the accountant exhibits his competency and skill in addition to devised strategies for the company. The partial image of the celebrity in tuxedo fits here.
Tech Savvy Techniques
With changing ways of business, more softwares and apps have made their way into the accounting field also. Accountants not only polish their exiting skills but also constantly engage in learning new technologies and stay at par with latest trends in information technology.
With countless bookkeeping apps available online, people may prefer to use them instead of hiring an accountant to manage their daily accounts. The accountant himself tries these apps and softwares to analyze their functions, their efficacies and possible drawbacks or loopholes. An accountant equipped with knowledge of technology is preferable for companies.
End of the Day
Accountants are individuals specialized in the field of calculation and business analysis. If we give it a thought, this is a unique ability not many have. Their aptitudes to make instant mental calculations and make complex financial situations seem like a piece of cake is what makes them stand out from the crowd. Regardless of our imaginations of what an accountant may look like, we can all agree that every image will have one thing in common: a very smart person.
