Why do people always misjudge or misinterpret Accountants?
By aileen2008
@aileen2008 (838)
Philippines
April 14, 2013 4:13am CST
I am an accountant and people in my office often misinterpret me as a snob or aloof. What they do not know is that I have lots to do and always stressed out with the due dates that needed to be complied or else there will be penalties to pay.
They thought being an accountant is just clerical job. What they don't know is that it involves a lot of analyses. It's not as if you just encoded the transactions and your job is finished. You have to analyze really hard how to treat a certain transaction otherwise it will affect taxes and other compliances in different government agencies.
Aside from that, you have to maintain accurate balances of different accounts otherwise the financial reports that you are going to give is not reliable.
Sometimes I wish they would wear my shoes and experience my stress specially when I am all alone in accounting, a one-woman show,as they say.
3 people like this
8 responses
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
14 Apr 13
Hi,
People outside their own competence downplay others work, this is some sort of coping mechanism for the inability to be at par with those they can't perform. They look at those who are not with their league as someone from another planet and once you step into their own world you are treated like an alien, one reason to leave them alone and go on with your work with dedication. However, it do help sometimes to be smiling, courteous and friendly to those who deserve it in spite of the pressures we encounter. It helps in alleviating the drudgery of the daily routine in the workplace.
3 people like this
@aileen2008 (838)
• Philippines
14 Apr 13
I appreciate your reply. You are probably right, people outside their competency really look down on other people's work. By your explanation it's enough to calm my nerves down.
@inopiratum_a_medio12 (877)
•
15 Apr 13
I agree with rog0322, he said it well probably unconsciously you make some actions that made they you that way but I disagree that being an accountant is easy
@Bhebelen14 (5194)
• Philippines
14 Apr 13
When I was working in a supermarket I also misinterpret the actions of our accountants because they as too serious and always not in the mood when I am talking to them at first I do not understand them even get disappoint sometimes. But when I met my husband who is a account too I understand the reason why and how hard you job is. Even here at home sometimes he gets too serious and snob when he's busy working.
2 people like this
@lampar (7584)
• United States
15 Apr 13
You probably are out of luck, it is not that simple when you offer people to wear your shoes and experience the frustration you have as an accountant; it doesn't mean that they can automatically qualify to wear it. Often there are not many out there that are available for you to pick as a test subject, as you know, not many people have analytical brain and propensity in accuracy when dealing with number, let alone can pass the examination of professional Association to qualify as an accountant, your shoes may turn out to be too big for many people. I can fully understand your situation and no doubt of the stress you feel at work, many people can not differentiate between an accountant and an accounting clerk or a book keeper, they think all are the same and having the same responsibility. 
1 person likes this
@aileen2008 (838)
• Philippines
15 Apr 13
I can relate to your comment very well.
1 person likes this
@bellebads (740)
• Philippines
15 Apr 13
I know how you feel. i also have an accountant friend and like you, she also feel that people around her is a bit insensitive about her work because they thought that if they ask something from her she can respond outright. like what you said the work of an account is based on precision. everything must be precised and all figures must be correct. there's no room for error. i believe that it needs time to explain your side to them that being in your position is not that easy. and they need to understand.
1 person likes this
@tinayu (214)
• China
15 Apr 13
as a word says"don't judage a man until you have walked a mile in his boots".less understanding makes more misunderstanding.nowadays,people don't want to take a little time to understand others.they judge you just by the first impression.that's not unfair.i think that's just the reason why we only have one or two best friends among billions of people.i hope that everyone can condider more for others .
1 person likes this
@wangchunxia83 (34)
• China
15 Apr 13
I'just want to say ,every job has a good side and bad side in others'eyes ,some people think you are doing well,also some people don't think so,so you don't have to care about the view of others,just do what you should do and do that as well as possible!ok?
1 person likes this
@aileen2008 (838)
• Philippines
15 Apr 13
Thank you. They piss me off actually everytime my efforts are bypassed.
@mods196621 (3652)
• Philippines
15 Apr 13
I understand what accountants duty and responsibilities. More on analysis and balancing an accounts if not the financial stability of company really affected including employees. :)
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
15 Apr 13
it annoys me when co-workers say, "hey, don't be serious. it's only a job." i'm fully aware that there is a saying, "you work to live, not live to work." but i think people who take their work seriously, who give their best output, are those who are aware and understand their responsibilities, its role and effects to the company. they're the ones who don't wait for instructions, who raise the alarm when something isn't right, who don't waste company resources. they're the ones who have a conscience, who value their credibility, and not see the company just as an atm. i think people don't exert too much effort so they won't be given more jobs or be promoted because it only means stress and overtime and they don't want an office-house existence.
1 person likes this
