The traditional view of accountants as merely 'bean counters' is slowly becoming a thing of the past. For centuries,accountants have been employed to report on the numbers. They have sat there in their little corner, surrounded by stacks of paper and computer printouts, and have told us whether or not we have made a profit. But more and more, accountants are finding that management doesn't need them to report on the numbers. With today's technology, management already has access to software programs which do this work for them.
So what will the future accountant do? According to Mr. Hamilton- Smythe, the Managing Director of KHZ Enterprises, the large international manufacturing company, accountants will be employed "to help companies change the number. Their expertise, and knowledge of the business will be called upon to prepare strategies. They will become consultants and advisers. And their skills will need to change accordingly. They will be involved in international meetings, in giving presentations, running international teams, writing reports, and making decisions."
This is going to require a significant change in the general public's opinion of accountants, who in turn will need to develop skills not traditionally associated with the job. The image of the guy in the corner with the stacks of paper will change to one of a high flyer, someone who is critical to the success of the organization.