Order Number |
nhkjbhuyb8 |
Type of Project |
ESSAY |
Writer Level |
PHD VERIFIED |
Format |
APA |
Academic Sources |
10 |
Page Count |
3-12 PAGES |
What does a good accountant need to do good work .
What does a good accountant need to do good work? 4
Does the Bible speak of those?
Characteristics of a Good Accountant
The job of an accountant is to keep or inspect financial accounts of others. Accountants are responsible for reporting financial results, whether for an individual or a company, in accordance with government and regulatory rules. Whether they work in a company’s accounting department, at an auditing firm, or in a private practice, an accountant’s work generally entails recording, measuring, and presenting financial information accordingly.
Of course, in order to be successful in this field, accountants must have excellent organizational skills and master the skill of attention to detail. However, there are several other characteristics that are included in teachings of the Bible that are necessary to be a good accountant and do good work in this field. These characteristics include: Accuracy and accountability, strong moral character, fairness, great communication skills, and adaptability.
Accuracy and Accountability
Accuracy and accountability are both very important characteristics of a good accountant. Accuracy in all aspects of accounting is extremely important. Inaccurate accounting and documentation can lead to disaster for a business. Accurate information is important for managers to make sound decisions for success and make plans for the future. Luke 14:28 says, for which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it. This says much about the planning involved for any endeavor.
Additionally, one must take full responsibility for their work. If an honest mistake is made, you must own up to that mistake and make amends. Galatians 6:5 says, for each one shall bear his own load. Purposeful fraud can and will be punishable with fines and even jail time.
“The Institute of Management Accountants, the professional association for management accounts, has issued a code of ethics to help accountants solve ethical dilemmas” (Wild & Shaw, 2018). This code gives accountant guidelines in order to avoid fraudulent behavior and should be adhered to by all individuals in the accounting field.
Strong Moral Character
Accounting Ethics is an ongoing topic of discussion in the business world. Being that accountants have access to unlimited financial information for both individuals and businesses, this allows potential for abuse and manipulation. This abuse is reflected in Proverbs 11:1 says, a false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight. Ethical behavior references back to general principals such as honesty, integrity, and morals.
This behavior is apparent in many teachings of the Bible as the principles of doing right and wrong that exist within Scripture. For example, Proverbs 28:6 states Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
According to Proverbs 11:3 says, the integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. This verse is very substantial for accountants to follow throughout the course of their career. The individual must complete their job in the best interest of their clients, and refrain from situations that may have a conflict of interest.
To establish a successful career in accounting, individuals must follow, Proverbs 16:3 says, commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Fairness
A good accountant has many qualities and traits. One of those is fairness. “The past few years have seen accountants bringing forth again the concept of “fairness” as an essential element in the development of accounting theory” (Arnett, 1967). Fairness is very important in accounting.
When it comes to money, fairness is what people want in an accountant. Micah 6:8 says, he has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? The Lord requires fairness of you, to do justice, and walk humbly. “Fairness occupies an important role in accounting as it presents to the users and the market the guarantee that the accountant (as preparer) and the auditor (as attester) have striven to be fair” (Riahi-Belkaoui, 2018).
Organization and Communication Skills
An accountant must also have great organization and communication skills. “The IMA’s Statement of Ethical Professional Practice requires that management accountants be competent, maintain confidentiality, act with integrity, and communicate information in a fair and credible manner” (Wild & Shaw,2018). Organization is important when dealing with numbers in accounting.
An accountant can get the clients information out of sorts if they are not organized with the information they are given. “To be a good accountant you need to have a system to keep track of those responsibilities – such as any portfolios you manage, the transactions you handle, and any important dates and deadlines you need to meet – to ensure that you fulfill all of your duties to the best of your ability” (Topan, 2014).
1 Corinthians 14:40 says, but all things should be done decently and in order. If things are not in a decent order it can be hard to accomplish it. Great communication is also important. An accountant should have great communication with their clients because they are looking and taking care of their finances.
2 Timothy 2:15 says, do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. A good accountant presents themselves well for God’s approval. An accountant shouldn’t be ashamed if they are rightfully handling their work.
Adaptability
Another important element of a successful accountant is the ability to be adaptable. Romans 12:2 says, do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. An accountant can work under a lot of entities and some of them do not always have the best reputation. For example, being a finance manager for a car dealership.
However, to meet the demand doesn’t mean they have to conform and be what they often get criticism for. It is important to have the ability to adapt without conforming. It goes without beings said, you must have your life in balance in order for your accounts to be in balance. Therefore, it is imperative to follow, Proverbs 16:3 says, commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
References
Arnett, H. (1967). The Concept of Fairness. The Accounting Review, 42(2), 291-297. Retrieved from www.jstor.org/stable/243934
Bryant, S. M., Stone, D., & Wier, B. (2011). An Exploration of Accountants, Accounting Work, and Creativity. Behavioral Research in Accounting, 23(1), 45-64. doi:10.2308/bria.2011.23.1.45
Riahi-Belkaoui, A. (2018). Fairness in Business. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327680964_Fairness_in_Business
Topan, R. (2014, Sept. 4). 6 Skills You Need to Succeed in Accounting. Talent Egg. Retrieved from https://talentegg.ca/incubator/2014/09/08/6-skills-succeed-accounting/
Wild, J., & Shaw, K. (2018). Fundamentals of managerial accounting (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.