The
conversation usually goes something like this.
New acquaintance: So what do you
do?
Me: I'm taking classes at OTC.
New acquaintance: Nice, what
degree?
Me: An AAS in Accounting, going to
be a bookkeeper.
New acquaintance: Oh . . . (giving me a certain "look") . . . I'm not very good at math . . .
This
leaves me scratching my head. Because, you know what, I'm not that great at
math either. I had to really brush up on my algebra for the placement exam. And
by now I've already forgotten all of it again anyway. When I have a math
question I always ask my husband, who does happen to be good at math.
And
what's with the "look"? I get the impression that people think
accountants are, well, different. Than ordinary people. Almost like accountants
aren't really, you know, normal.
It
appears to me that accounting as a field needs a boost in the PR department. And
what better way to accomplish that than blogging!
First
off, an accounting blog could let the world in on a well known secret. Accountants
and bookkeepers use computer software to do their math, just like the rest of civilization.
Computers are excellent at math, even better than husbands. Right now I'm
taking a class on QuickBooks for small
businesses, it's not that complicated. And for personal finance there are programs
like AceMoney
and Quicken that make it easy to keep
track of your money.
As
for being normal? Well, my dogs adore me. Does that count for anything? A blog
about accounting could portray the human side of bean counting. I like
accounting because it all adds up so nice and neat. It's very concrete and not subjective.
I will admit that accounting does require concentration and attention to detail. And
obviously some people are better at that than others. But that's the way with
any profession; a person's personality needs to fit with the demands of the
job.
And
then there are some people, like a friend I know, who likes to clean houses. Can I get her committed? Right after she cleans my
house of course.
Great post, I work with several accountants and book keepers and I can verify that they are normal people too. Good luck with your career and when your friend is done cleaning your house my address is....
ReplyDeleteI, too, am pursuing a degree in accounting and know all too well that "look". Accounting comes naturally to me, so I know its what I need to do. Everyone should do what they like and what makes them happy. You're right, about the math - the computer does it all. Funny story: my boyfriend was thinking about changing career paths and asked if I thought he'd make it in my profession. I looked back and reminded him of a comment he'd made that "work (for him) was like falling off a log." For him, that's a diesel mechanic: for me, its accounting.
ReplyDeleteInteresting way of describing accounting. "...they are normal people..."
ReplyDelete