.....an Accountant
Number, numbers and more numbers! Find out what it means to be an Accountant.
by Ms. Clarissa Chin
When I was first asked to write an article for “Dawnlive”, I thought “Hey, this is a good time for me to reflect on my life – how I came into this profession and why I am still pursuing it
Numbers, numbers and numbers - To some, they may sound entirely boring …… However, I find it very exciting and challenging to see what numbers mean to our daily lives and especially to a company’s accounts. Being good at figures means that you are always on top of the situation; understanding the facts and figures that are presented! Of course, it also helps to ensure that you are given the correct change whenever you buy your tidbits from the mama shop.
Since young, I have always enjoyed dealing with figures and I have always been good with it. Some credit goes to my mum too, who always ensured that I did my mental calculations quickly and accurately! Being good with figures meant that the natural path for me was to take up a course that would be related to figures. Well, I contemplated studying Business Administration or even becoming a Maths teacher! But my dad pointed out that since accountancy is a specialized skill, no matter where you are, or how the economy is doing, you will have no worries about being jobless. Hmmm, doesn’t that sound great?! And being the good little daughter, I embarked on the path of accountancy!
Of course, accounting is not just fun. It also requires hard work and burning late night oil. No matter how cliché it sounds, I still must say that I enjoy the process of learning - how to understand the financials of a company and what is “finalisation” of accounts.
Studying accountancy opens a window of opportunities. All types of companies from small medium enterprises to multi-national companies need an accountant to oversee the profits and losses and to monitor the company’s operations. If you like to look at the operations of many companies and determine whether the accounts are true and fair, a job as an external auditor will be the best option. Traveling is also part and parcel of the job scope if you become the internal auditor of a regional office. As you gain more experience, you may even be promoted to Chief Financial Controller, whereby you will be in charge of the whole financial health of the company!
It may seem like a boring job to many, but I really enjoy the excitement and the satisfaction when I manage to solve the discrepancies in the figures and reconcile the various accounts. Being able to understand the financial statements of the company and presenting it in layman terms to the various stakeholders are the additional challenges of my job. All these challenges and obstacles make the job more interesting and with so many career prospects, it is no wonder that I am still in this profession!
If you love numbers and don’t mind staring at $$$, you should consider a career in accountancy!
Clarissa is currently working as an accountant in a Consultancy Company.