Accountants are a funny bunch
26th August, 2016
MYOB Client Manager Laura Cooper put me on to this quirky poem for accountants.
Written by her dad James Nelson in the 1970s, it reads as a manifesto for the trustworthy accountant of the era.
James was an accountant with Coca Cola Amatil in the 60s and 70s. He balanced his love for balancing the books with a passion for the ploughman poet Robbie Burns of Auld Lang Syne fame.
So… is the modern accountant still introverted, shy, loyal, and kind? Does she study, ache and exert? Have you found a system that is best?
ACCOUNTANTS
By James Francis Nelson
Accountants are a funny bunch,
They never follow up a hunch,
Or take a chance.
Prefer the honest sweat and toil,
Labouring by midnight oil,
To reach a balance.
Add, multiply, divide, inscribe,
Scorn, reject the tendered bribe,
That is on offer.
Audit, verify, cast up the sum,
Show management how profits come,
And fill the coffer.
Dedicated men and bold,
Fairy tales will not be told,
Nor logic blind.
Integrity their strongest suit,
Take no interest in the loot,
Some others find.
Frustrated sometimes in the quest,
To find the system that is best,
For good control.
Will study, ache, exert, aspire,
Pressurise, coax, never tire,
And reach the goal.
Despised by some who strive and strain,
To demonstrate a mammoth brain,
But fail.
May falter or accept the gall,
Human beings each and all,
So frail.
Introverted, shy, loyal, kind,
Accountants must indeed be blind,
No perks.
