Who is an Accountant?

A crucial question I need to ask myself to determine whether I am truly an accountant or just someone holding a certificate that I’m supposed to use for work.

In reality, an accountant plays a very significant role in any organization or company, often being one of the most essential positions. An accountant records daily financial transactions and extracts important reports from them, which managers and business owners rely on to make informed decisions that benefit the company or organization, whether those decisions are for the present or the future. Therefore, the accountant holds one of the key administrative roles in any institution or company.

The accountant is a dynamic entity, not a static one, as some might suggest. They say the accountant follows strict laws and rules and must be like a train running on tracks, unable to deviate from them. “This is a person who executes but is not a creative thinker.” However, in my experience, I have discovered that an accountant is more like an airplane that can soar anywhere, using well-established rules and regulations as guidelines. The accountant must always understand what they are doing, and can even innovate by introducing new ideas and methods based on their experience and continuous learning—not relying on shortcuts or quick fixes.

An accountant must also be characterized by integrity, honesty, and transparency. There are many executors, but the trustworthy accountant who stands out, qualifies for promotion, and takes on greater responsibilities is very rare.

These qualities are considered core values of an accountant and are not just something to show off to the manager. Dishonesty has no legs to stand on. Sooner or later, the truth will come out, and I might find that someone else has received a promotion or recognition while I have not. The reason will likely be the lack of virtuous and honest values, as well as inadequate knowledge and experience that would help me distinguish myself and tackle challenges at work as an accountant who thinks of innovative solutions, rather than a passive executor who always says, “This is not my responsibility” or “I have nothing to do with it,” or similar statements that reflect a lack of loyalty and readiness to take on responsibility.

In the end, I see that a good accountant is a dynamic, learned individual who possesses experiences and core values that set them apart from other accountants.

Next time, we’ll discuss a real-life experience that shows promotions are not just based on seniority but on values, the ability to learn, and relevant experience… Stay tuned.

The ePayli Team