Readers Write

 

An email received from my accountant, Bruce:

Dear Otto, 

As your highly valued accountant (at least I hope so) I felt the need to comment on your today’s “”Thought for the Day” 

Maybe in my older, and wiser, life I have become a person who feels unappreciated. Paranoia – perhaps? 

I notice in your Thought, reference to wonderful people like teachers, doctors and nurses but, alas, no reference to the humble accountant who is there for his/her clients through thick and thin, during booms and pandemics, floods & droughts etc etc with often no reference to how they help and, yes, sometimes save members of society as a result of their knowledge, diligence and plain hard work. 

Sadly your Thought did not include us, but, I am happy to say we are not totally forgotten. The well-known radio personality Richard Glover recognised our contribution to society in a piece he wrote back in May 2020 and I believe it behoves everyone to read and digest his words of supreme wisdom. A link to his article is at: 

https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/coronavirus-lessons-you-don-t-get-in-the-classroom-20200519-p54ud0.html 

Just thought this might bring a bit of a smile to you and your bloggers and next time when someone starts telling a joke that takes the micky out of our profession someone may just stick up for us and put the joke teller in their place. Remember, we are not solicitors, we do have feelings! 

BTW – really enjoy the variety of information and content in your blogs 

Regards 

Bruce 

Those who wish to read the whole of Richard Glover’s article can do so by clicking on the above link. Below is the part of the article relating to accountants . . . 

Coronavirus lessons you don't get in the classroom 

Richard Glover 

May 22, 2020 

Everyone has learnt something during the lockdown — chunks of wisdom they’d like to take to the other side. Here are some of my findings, based on my experiences and those of the people I meet when walking the dog. 

Accountants are the new superheroes. 

Back in the '70s, nearly every comedy sketch was about accountants and how boring they were. Monty Python did it; The Two Ronnies did it. Accountants themselves were forced to tell jokes at their own expense, just to get in first. 

"How can you tell if an accountant is extroverted? He looks at your shoes while he’s talking to you instead of his own.” 

“What’s the difference between an accountant and a lawyer? The accountant knows he’s boring.” 

“Have you heard the joke about the interesting accountant? No? Us neither.” 

Well, no longer. During the pandemic, it’s been the accountants to the rescue. They’ve understood the intricacies of JobSeeker, applied for loan deferrals from the bank and helped convince landlords to cut back the rent. Everywhere I go, people have a story featuring an accountant who has saved the day, including accountants who have pulled an all-nighter to save a client’s business. Can we all agree right now: no more “boring accountant” jokes, even once we get to the other side. 

Thanks for your contribution, Bruce. 

By the way, if I get you one of these tops for Christmas . . . 

. . . am I able to claim it as a business expense?