[Anonymous]

Does this bother anyone else? I feel like I need to vent…

I know there is no way to ask this question without coming off like an elitist jerk but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t annoy me. Let me preface this by saying I have a pretty liberal definition of what I consider to be an accountant (anyone in public, private or gov’t that performs assurance, audits, tax, etc.) BUT I do think there is a “line” (e.g.HR block employees or bookkeepers.)

I realize this bookkeeper is proud of their “Associates Degree” (if they even have that) and may work very hard in the “Accounts Payable Dept” or whatever and that’s fine. But when a licensed CPA or a 150 credit hour CPA candidate with public experience are also called accountants and the average layperson mistakenly considers these roles comparable well I feel like it cheapens the latter’s accomplishments.

When someone tells me, “Oh you’re an accountant? My friend XXXX is an accountant too!” I really have to bite my tongue because what I want to say is, “No, your friend XXXX is a bookkeeper who cuts checks and stuffs envelops all day.”

Why is it a lawyer or a nurse has to have a license to be called those things but anyone working in any accounting dept. of any company can run around with impudence calling themselves accountants?!?

So when I overhear said bookkeeper rambling on about being an accountant I’m left with two options. Either:

1) Be a total douche and cut them down with a statement like, “Oh me too, what state are you licensed in?”; OR

2) Swallow my pride, let them have their ego boost and stop being such a jerk inside my head.

Let me just say number 2 is very difficult for me sometimes….

[Anonymous]

Nice job cutting down half the forum and pissing a bunch of people off in the process Mini…

You realize your only course of action at this point is to jump into your car, head to the nearest McDonald's and offer to pay for some old lady's value meal, right?

Only then (hopefully) will the angry mob on this forum be appeased…

[Minimorty]

Let me get this straight, is there anyone on here that thinks that every person on this forum who passes the CPA exam is going to be better at accounting than all of the non CPA bookkeepers? If you think this, I can see how it might be possible to be offended. If you are willing to accept that there are successful bookkeepers, who call themselves accountants, who are every bit and probably more proficient in accounting than a lot of us, then what I said should come as no shock. What, exactly, is difficult about this concept?

[Sandra]

Pay for some lady's value meal? Please… at this point mini might have to buy someone a house to make this forum happy.

[Anonymous]

@Sandra

No because even then someone would say something like “Why did you do that? Kill their dog or something?” I guess they think he is just an evil person…

[Anonymous]

@Mini

The concept is alright. It's just the way you personalized the comparison 😀

You should have said: I know plenty of bookkeepers who are much better accountants than many CPAs will ever be.

(number of attempts and “squeaking by” are irrelevant to the AICPA and shouldn't bother you either)

[Minimorty]

OK, fair enough.

My comments are never meant to be personal. I dont know why anyone would take anything personal on an anonymous internet site.

I guess the squeaking by and number of attempts was less relevant to this particular discussion.

[Kru]

When comparing bookkeepers with accountants, I believe the main differences are preparing financial statements and G/L reconciliations. But with smaller companies, both roles could be combined.

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[Katydid]

Great thread guys. You've kept me entertained all day. 3 things:

1. I can't quite see why everyone is attacking Mini about his initial comment about bookkeepers vs. accountants. I disagree with his approach (making it personal) but the message was that essentially one should not judge a book by it's cover. There are significant differences between education and intelligence and that should be taken into account.

2. Kricket-I hope that you are ok. I have had some thyroid issues in the past and understand the frustration associated.

3. Kristen1479-Well said!

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[Anonymous]

I can't believe I am going to say this, but here goes… I agree with Mini, to a certain extent. I also know some great bookkeepers who are smarter than some CPA's that I know personally. I have a problem with blanket generalizations about exam candidates and the number of attempts someone should be allowed.

[Anonymous]

Haha I love that I've finally become disassociated with being the site asshat. Or rather, maybe it's a sign that my game's slipping!

[mla1169]

Baseball you'll always be an asshat to me 😉

You've SO lost your edge lately. We need to find u a girl.

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Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Preaching to the choir! Went on a date last weekend, but the girl was so boring I almost fell asleep mid-date. I took her to a live show, but she was such a snooze-fest that I told her we were gonna bail after the first set. After she peaced out and I went back in and enjoyed the show myself! A vast improvement if I do say so myself. I mean…sweet girl, just not my style. Don't worry, I let her down easy…I'm not THAT much of a jerk! haha time to find a girl who'll put up with my shit! The search continues 🙂

[mla1169]

You need a nice Boston girl! Should come out east! Heck if you come in October we can find you a real live Salem witch!

FAR- 77
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[Mrs 300]

I just wanted to log in and say a few things:

1) Jenuno is on my LIST for coming to Chicago and not e-mailing me! Jerk! We totally could have had lunch!

2) @Jeff, now do you understand why Mini calls Jenuno “God”? Lol.

3) I also agree w/ akb that Mini is a HUGE softy.

4) I love the word “asshat.” Can we please use it more often on this site??

5) There are plenty of stupid CPAs. I have worked in public for 8 years. PLENTY OF STUPID CPAs. Trust me. It's all how you use your credential. There are a lot of bookkeepers that are smarter than CPAs.

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[Anonymous]

Haha yeah, I think that oughta do it 🙂 A salem witch, huh? you think she could handle all this? hahaha

[Author]

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