Do Accountants appreciate a well-organised spreadsheet? Of course we do! It's a logical, structured document with numbers—what's not to love? But have you ever wondered what life was like before Excel? Surprisingly, it was first introduced in the early eighties.
I vividly recall my first week as a trainee accountant, situated in an office reminiscent of a scene from a Charles Dickens novel—yes, that Scrooge one—complete with half-moon glasses, old ledger books, and tea sipped from cups and saucers.
Reflecting on my childhood ambition to become an accountant at the age of 10, I pondered how I even knew such a profession existed. Nevertheless, pursuing this path has shaped me into a well-rounded and inquisitive professional.
Transitioning from a traditional accountancy practice to working within a business as an accountant ignited my curiosity about the inner workings of businesses and what drives their operations.
The Multifaceted Role of Accountants: Beyond Bean Counting
Do you find your organisation sighing when the "bean counters" step in? What exactly is the role of an accountant—to save money, safeguard it, take calculated risks, or merely report on it?
While many accountants find themselves entrenched in producing accounts—whether monthly, quarterly, annually, or all of the above—let's not forget that accounts primarily reflect historical data. They serve a purpose, undoubtedly, providing comfort or fulfilling the demands of financial institutions.
However, there's much more that accountants can offer—creating KPIs, stringent controls and processes, efficient credit control management and so on. Access to better, faster information facilitates improved decision-making processes.
Rather than delving into the latest buzzwords surrounding AI or software integration, I advocate for a simple approach: sit down with your accountant and identify the pain points. Is it a cash flow issue? Perhaps a documentation bottleneck?
Addressing these challenges collaboratively may reveal surprising solutions your accountant can offer.
Do your senior leaders struggle to engage during financial presentations? Have you ever considered asking them what financial information they truly seek?
Finance for Non-Financial Managers: Bridging the Knowledge Gap
Finance for non-financial managers—a course I've encountered numerous times—can be highly engaging. It helps managers appreciate the significance of sound financial stewardship minus the jargon.
A final thought...
Is the finance office always tucked away at the end of a dimly lit corridor, seldom visited?
.....so was Narnia, and look at the adventures that awaited.
Ok adventures may be stretching it a little but go and explore the capabilities of an often under utilised group of individuals.