What should a modern accountant be like?

Vocabulary to be memorized

1. solution рішення (проблеми і. т.д.)

2. current поточний

3. horizon горизонт; on the horizon на горизонті

4. urgent терміновий; настійний, наполегливий

5. a poll опитування; соціологічне дослідження; to conduct a poll проводити соціологічне опитування

6. to reveal виявляти; відкривати

7. controller контролер, головний бухгалтер – контролер; assistant controller (A.C.) замісник головного бухгалтера – контролера

8. the latter останній, інший (з двох перерахованих); the former перший (перший) з перерахованих

9. concise стислий, скорочений

10. favour підтримка, допомога; in favour of на користь когось, чогось

Read the text to find out what changes the majority of respondents in the US spoke for.

In all countries of the world the complexity of economic activity is gradually growing. And this, in its turn, leads to an increasingly important role of accounting as a function of economic management. At present the necessity of improving accounting through raising its operational utility and quality is regarded as one of the most important tasks.

The main condition for the solution of this task is improving the quality of accounting personnel. To attract able young people to the study of accounting, to raise its prestige and demonstrate its importance is an urgent task in many countries of the world.

What do accountants think of the current state of accounting education? How well are students prepared for the profession? What changes are on the horizon and will these changes produce better educated accountants? To answer these questions a poll was conducted in the USA.

A lot of the US professionals have been asked to share their views on these issues and to comment on the value of accountancy programmes. In all about 140 accountants have been interviewed. Their positions ranged from higher level management accountants to assistant controllers. The interviews revealed that the majority favoured radical reconstruction of accounting education. All agreed that there should be new programmes setting the foundation for understanding all aspects of accounting. Most respondents were concerned with the fact that the majority of accounting graduates lack computer skills and oral and written communication skills. Several respondents stated that inadequate computer skills are becoming more noticeable as the demand for computer knowledge grows. Many respondents emphasised that the lack of good communication skills is the most serious deficiency of graduates. Students in accounting are sure to submit short papers to develop writing skills because as future managers they must be able to write concise reports. Other respondents dealt with personality characteristics of the graduates. Many respondents indicated that graduates lack self-motivation and enthusiasm. Some stated that graduates have a lack of common sense.

Many spoke in favour of strong conceptual over a practical approach to learning because understanding concepts is critical to coping with the dynamic nature of accounting problems. All academics (78%) agree that there should be additional emphasis on conceptual knowledge. However accounting managers favoured a practical approach as did most low level participants.

Answer the following questions.

1. What changes are taking place in economic activity at present?

2. Why is the role of accounting getting increasingly important?

3. What is the level of accounting in a country determined by?

4. What's the condition for improving accounting in the system of economic management?

5. Why was a poll conducted in the US?

6. What is typical for accounting practices in the US?

7. What exactly did the interviews reveal?

8. Why did many respondents speak in favour of conceptual approach in training accountants?