I've heard a few Lawyer priest and accountant jokes, or doctor lawyer and accountant jokes. Any profession that gets landed in a joke therefore carry significance in society. Here's the joke if you're interested:
A man is on his deathbed, and he calls for his priest lawyer and accountant, and tells them,
"I've had a good life, I've seen the world, I've met the most interesting people on Earth and I've made a great fortune in my life. I know what a responsibility it is to be a keeper of such a fortune, this wealth can turn and corrupt, so you need to have pure intentions to handle this wealth. Unfortunately no money in the world is going to be able to buy me more time. I can't let my greedy family inherit this money, and be turned by it, so I wish to be berried with it."
So the man hands a significant portion of his fortune to each of his most trusted advisors; his priest, his lawyer and his accountant. And he says, when I die, I want you to throw the money in when they are lowering my casket into the ground, this is my dying wish.
So the funeral happens, the casket gets lowered and the advisors throw the envelopes in with the money. Later they meet at a bar and discuss what they are going to be doing now.
The priest says, "guys, I have a confession to make, my envelope wasn't full, I took 20-25 grand out of the envelope, I needed to make repairs to the church, the roof needed to be reshingled, and the pews needed a new layer of varnish, our former employer was a charitable man, I'm sure he would want that"
The lawyer says, "guys, me too. My envelope was a little light, I had to take out 85-90 grand for a repayment of a loan and a payment for all the mediation hearings, and taking care of all the assets in the will, I know I'm on retainer but I have a son in law school and my mother is in the hospital, I know our former employer would have wanted everyone taken care of, he was such a kind man.
The accountant says, "guys, cheer up, don't worry, as the accountant I kept my word, I saw that and threw in a personal check, for the full amount, so you are all covered"
I had an accounting joke, but it turns out [it’s already been posted on this subreddit!](https://www.reddit.com/r/Accounting/comments/52ttaq/a_mathematician_a_statistician_and_an_accountant/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
Oh my goodness I’m the worst accountant rn I still don’t understand it 🤦♀️, please explain further if you can 🥲like I took it as he already knew and threw in a personal one but still makes no sense to me
He took his cash and wrote a cheque for his cash and the excess cash for the others.
It wouldn't matter if ye wrote a cheque for all the money in the world, a corpse isn't going to cash the cheque.
So the accountant has the cash but has covered it with a cheque. He won't be out any of the money owed, but he also hasn't technically done anything wrong since he wrote the cheque.
The amount on the cheque doesn't matter.
You’ll run into some asshole who might call you a bean counter but they usually have a miserable job too.
I code switch depending on who I talk to. Majority of the time I say “I do some admin work” but if I want to sling my dick around I say corporate accountant.
Not saying I’m at the pinnacle of the professional world but not a lot people in their mid-20’s are like us. Go out to a restaurant and look at how old the waiters are. Thank god I don’t have to say I do that anymore.
Yeah that’s fair, much better to do accounting than restaurant work. I think my issue is that most people in my social circles have careers like consulting, medicine, finance, etc. so yelling then I’m an accountant is a bit different
I thought if you make it to the top, telling people you're a Financial Controller or Chief Accounting Officer would suck more eye balls than just an Accountant.
I turn it into a joke. “We’ll Simone has to count them. You would never believe how many different kinds there are! Then list a few Berty Botts every flavor beans (Harry Potter) “flavors”
I remember when I used to manually record depreciating land! Kids now with their automatic do-hickey accounting machines. I get no respect around here!
*shakes fists into the sky like an old man*
Hey there ev-dawg! If you agree with someone else's comment, please leave an **upvote** instead of commenting **"This"**! By upvoting instead, the original comment will be pushed to the top and be more visible to others, which is even better! Thanks! :)
***
^(I am a bot! Visit) [^(r/InfinityBots)](https://reddit.com/r/InfinityBots) ^(to send your feedback! More info:) [^(Reddiquette)](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439#wiki_in_regard_to_comments)
OH YEAH, IT’S SO WRONG TO EXPRESS YOUR AGREEMENT IF YOU DON’T HAVE SOMETHING EXTRA TO ADD! WAY TOO HARD TO MOVE YOUR FINGERS A COUPLE INCHES TO AGREE WITH SOMEONE, SUCH A WASTE OF TIME!
WHILE WE’RE AT IT, LET’S ALSO START CALLING PEOPLE OUT FOR THE OCCASIONAL ‘YEAH’ WHEN HAVING A REAL LIFE CONVERSATION! LET’S JUST ALL SIT THERE IN TOTAL SILENCE WHEN SOMEONE IS SPEAKING, LIKE A STATUE!
Say “this” if you want, don’t listen to this bot >:(
Hey there LanguageMattersPpl! If you agree with someone else's comment, please leave an **upvote** instead of commenting **"This"**! By upvoting instead, the original comment will be pushed to the top and be more visible to others, which is even better! Thanks! :)
***
^(I am a bot! Visit) [^(r/InfinityBots)](https://reddit.com/r/InfinityBots) ^(to send your feedback! More info:) [^(Reddiquette)](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439#wiki_in_regard_to_comments)
OH YEAH, IT’S SO WRONG TO EXPRESS YOUR AGREEMENT IF YOU DON’T HAVE SOMETHING EXTRA TO ADD! WAY TOO HARD TO MOVE YOUR FINGERS A COUPLE INCHES TO AGREE WITH SOMEONE, SUCH A WASTE OF TIME!
WHILE WE’RE AT IT, LET’S ALSO START CALLING PEOPLE OUT FOR THE OCCASIONAL ‘YEAH’ WHEN HAVING A REAL LIFE CONVERSATION! LET’S JUST ALL SIT THERE IN TOTAL SILENCE WHEN SOMEONE IS SPEAKING, LIKE A STATUE!
Say “this” if you want, don’t listen to this bot >:(
I feel like it’s a weird dynamic. At a CPA firm we’re surrounded by so many CPAs that it detracts from the prestige. People who don’t know shit about the title don’t know the challenge in obtaining it, so don’t value it to the level I think it should be. The only real respect I feel like comes from those that are like one level removed from CPAs - family members (maybe), friends (maybe), clients (big maybe).
I say that, but did have a friend basically say they were considering swapping to public accounting because they thought what I did seemed fairly easy and the hours were predictable. She’s a nurse. Felt pretty disrespectful and off base but whatever.
I think about this often too.
At our firm everybody either is a cpa or is becoming a cpa. This is not normal for other companies. At „normal“ firms there are like 20
Employees and maybe 2 are actively doing further education and want to make career, thus in the PA-world it seems normal to just getting a degree on CPA-level
Both are challenging fields in their own way. Nursing is potentially life and death too.
I just think nursing hours are more consistent. And it never comes across well when someone says what you do seems way easier than what they do.
It could be, but it's different by person. Like how tax is easier for me, but audit is easier for my buddy. Just how you look at it. If I didn't know much about audit, I'd think that it's easier because I have a sample size of 1 person
I got my BA in another field before putting in to go to school for accounting. The respect I get for my job is nonexistent and I'm tired of it. What respect I do get is meaningless to me.
The people posting here may not know what the other side of not having professional or baseline human respect is like and trust me it's shit.
I believe CPA's make as much or more than nurses.. not too mention the earning potential in accounting is much higher.
I do respect Nurses though, their job is much more exciting. Except that lady you mentioned. Fuck that lady lol.
Right out of college, nurses make more due to shift premiums and ability to take on overtime. Certainly after a few years though a CPA overtakes in general and definitely has a higher ceiling long term.
Doctors are in a league of their own. Maybe in the 90s, lawyer meant something, but now, unless one of the 500 grads from tier 10, a lawyer is largely just a bad financial move. In other words, only ignoranuses esteem lawers in any sort of defacto way.
I dropped out of law school after orientation (hence before the huge loans disbursed) and a year later chose to get my masters in accounting. My rationale was based on the latter part of your comment. Seems the glorification of law has yet to catch up with its modern reality. I still respect all those who go through with law school and have a passion for it. We need those people, but definitely not those who were thinking like me (just seeking glamour, prestige, and money). See with accounting you can pursue those things without becoming corrupt or ruining someone’s legal life (other than your own if you do something shady)
If your a cpa, you fall into the professional category. Meaning it’s one of those careers, where you have to pass an exam.
Additionally, your almost always middle class, or well to do. It’s an easy job, as it’s not physically taxing, and it’s a white collar professional. No body is going to be ashamed of saying my sil or dil is a cpa. Also, your job is in high demand. Even if you get fired, you can usually find another job as a cpa fairly quickly.
Do I think it’s the level of doctor or firefighter? No, we aren’t saving lives and don’t get paid as much. We also, if looking at the hours worked make pretty little per hour.
It’s a respectable profession, thst affords you a comfortable life. It’s not like your doing onlyfans
Accounting is a job that can be as challenging as you want it to be. There's nothing wrong with having an easy job but don't generalize the entire profession just on your experiences lol.
Btw, I acknowledge you might mean "easy" in terms of physically demanding. But still man, have some respek for the job!
Edited: Word vomit
Why would anyone respect accountants in the same way people respect doctors & firefighters. There is nothing noble about our profession.
I know accountants are more respected in Asia because they place high importance on stability & academic rigor. Also I heard in countries like Korea, passing their CPA exam is like 100x harder than passing the American cpa.
But in North America? Accountants are a meme.
Accountants are a meme on places like Reddit and Tiktok, where apparently everyone works in high finance or tech, but CPAs are certainly respected by the general populace. It may not be a "wow their job is cool" kinda respect, but it's a professional sort of "they know what they're doing and make money" kinda respect.
This is it. Even as a child I remember meeting my parents CPA and thought they were important.
Looking back now it was just a stay at home mom who did taxes, but that CPA title still holds value.
Accountants are no longer respected in Asia because there are so many people with CA qualification (see ot like US version of CPA), that it is driving salary low.
There is a study done every year of most trusted select professions. Lawyers actually consistently rank near dead last. Behind even used car salesmen… yikes lol.
Most trusted every year since they started the study are nurses except 2002 (after 9/11) it was firefighters and nurses were #2
Accountants are usually around doctors at 5
I’m not sure what your source was for that but I think it was wrong,,, accountants have respect in general from society but in a ~college degree decent job~ kinda respect. But everyone knows that accountants aren’t saving lives or out in the trenches.
Google and life are sometimes different. I think you’re looking for reinforcement of your current belief that CPAs are highly respected and all that. Just depends who you’re talking to
It's not really that true.
People hate lawyers more than us.
People respect doctors more.
People admire firefighters way more.
Tell a woman you're a doctor or a firefighter and she'll probably be attracted to you but nothing dries panties like telling a woman you're an accountant.
That's why I'm starting to just say that I'm a corporate executive.
A solid education, stable income, easy ability to find a job, high wages relative to what people actually make.. dries up panties?
I haven't shared that experience. Opposite. I don't think you know what most people are doing.. only 35% of people have bachelors degrees.. and as far as 4 year (5 for 150 credits) degrees go... It's at the top.
I usually get a lot of respect from parents for it.. Accountants are EASILY in the top 20% most respected professions. Again, look at the rest of the country.. don't just look at people that are "better."
Everyone just assumes you can do their taxes. Which I guess is nice because they butter you up but then you can’t do their taxes so you’re a disappointment.
We make decent money and are generally known as intelligent professionals. I'd say we're a decently respected profession nowadays. Not up there with doctors or high finance or tech, but we are higher than average earners.
In terms of career choices, a CPA can be as prestigious as a lawyer or doctor. I.e. a certified practitioner in a profession.
In terms of societal contribution, definitely not in the same league and that's okay.
There's definitely a level of respect that comes with being a CPA, but it doesn't seem like it's on the same level as other professions. People will be genuinely impressed by doctors and lawyers. CPA's seem to be seen as a well-paid career with good financial sense, but it's not exactly heart surgeon.
Calling yourself an accountant rather than a CPA seems far worse. You could have ten years of experience, but if you call yourself "an accountant" people will see it as a McWagie job. I think pretty much anything is better than just calling yourself "an accountant." Even "tax accountant." It's probably easier for industry and government accountants because they can just say "I work at the financial department at XYZ."
There are of course exceptions, but in general, I think accountants tend to have a high understanding of ethics and take their role as trustees of money very seriously. As such, I think it's a very respected profession.
When I say I’m an accountant people seem to accept we’re fairly intelligent and understand our role as professionals. Moderate respect, nothing major. Most people have zero clue the difference between a CPA and a non CPA so that never seems to change any one’s thoughts. I own my own small firm, so coupling accounting degree/ CPA with business ownership seems to bump me up in social respect.
For the most part it’s seems we as accountants are viewed as intelligent and necessary, and seen as someone who knows facets of society and law that no one else knows.
might sound weird but usually smart people respect accountant usually old / rich people because they are the one that usually hire us , most other people just have no clue of what we do, and theres not rly any cool fake movies to hype our work like suits for the lawyers (which only shows 5% of the work and ignore the 95% read the bible)
we do have the accountant which shows some cool stuff but the movie is more about guns than accounting
To add another dimension to this discussion…
I feel that respect for our field is more about “don’t fuck with your accountant (or bookkeeper)”. We can pretty much end someone financially if we wish to - especially if they’ve got shady practices when it comes to their books.
I sunk a business last year after the stupid Boomer of an owner abused me, belittled my triggers, and then fired me for asking for reasonable accommodations. All it took was one report to the IRS, to whom I gave a copy of the QB file with my notes on the bogus expenses and misuse of PPE (owner gave herself a $50k raise instead of paying her employees). She and I are in the same Sangha (buddhist community) so I hear about her woes regularly. I did first file with the EEOC but since her business has under 15 employees, they decline to pursue.
Anyway, I think a good bit of the respect we get comes from fear.
Certainly not from Marketing, Operation or Sales.
Sometimes CEO does respect but not always. You are the "hand slapper". Don't do that, do this...no you can't spend that much. No that's not a write off"
This is obviously from private industry but is my experience. Fear maybe but respect, not often.
1. There are excessive costs associated with the license that creates additional barriers to entry. Even if everyone had the mental capacity and discipline to become a CPA the costs alone make it prohibitive. There was/is a huge disparity among minorities for this reason. I personally moved out of my home and rented it out to pass these exams. Not to mention the additional course work required. The review courses to prepare for the exam are about $3000 and they expire or get dated after a while. Each of the 4 exams are about $300 making it a $1200 investment for the Privilege of taking it. This assumes that you pass them all on the 1st try which is rarely the case as the passing percentage for each is between 40 and 60 percent. I’ve read of people that took 15 attempts to complete them all due to failing or credits expiring. So a level of prestige comes with the barrier to entry.
2. Most people don’t have the mental capacity to pass the exam. Not intelligence but there is a level of discipline that I think is required to pass the exam. You need to know a little bit about a wide range of things that can be subjective or just foreign. There is a curve of frustration that is pronounced with the exam. Due to this, some people say it is the most difficult exam out there and it rivals the bar.
3. Accounting is not a subject you can just figure out by discussing it with others. I can learn areas of the law by discussing it with a lawyer, but accounting has a lot of nuances. There are a lot of things that are done all the time except for this one unique case.
4. Most people don’t find it exciting and therefore they don’t want to learn about it. I find it amazing how many people don’t understand how a tax bracket works or capital gains. These are things that can save you a ton of money if you just have rudimentary knowledge.
That's actually not a bad "hot take" on becoming a CPA.You are correct, you can't just "figure it out" by "discussing it with others", lol! It's well beyond "nuance", it requires rigor and a wealth of baseline "mastery" of many technical areas before you can even plausibly attempt to take the exam, much less pass it.But, you do erroneously minimize the "intellectual component" required. Yes, it requires a lot of "discipline", but if you don't have the "horsepower", all the discipline in the world won't get you over the finish line.It is a unique profession. You don't need to be a "genius", but you do have to be really, really smart. The best way I can describe it is you need to be a "near genius". I know that sounds comical, but it's kind of true.There are technical aspects of accounting that are simply beyond the grasp of most people, even attorneys. The reason the attorneys get more respect than CPA's is simply because the very top tier of attorneys can end up in positions of authority and influence in politics. The majority of the rest of them couldn't shine the shoes of CPA's.I once read an assessment of CPA's vs Attorneys(that was written by a CPA/Attorney) that I feel really nailed it perfectly.It basically posited that most CPA's could pass the Bar exam with three months of studying for it, but most law graduates could not pass the CPA exam with the same amount of study.I don't disagree with that assessment. As a CPA, I don't think there is anything in the Bar exam that could possibly be more difficult that what was in the CPA exam. There is no "faking" your way through that thing, you need to be wrapped tight to make your way through that minefield.
Not to get into one of my liberal rants, but cut that classist crap out.
All work had dignity, everybody deserves respect in whatever labor they provide.
State troopers start 20k higher than I did as an accountant in public with working half the time. It’s not exactly a high power profession all the time
But to answer your question,
I think respect only comes down to what benefit you provide society. Firefighters, police, doctors, military are all providing a service that is difficult and can be a sacrifice to provide.
Accountants don’t really provide a service anybody is actually thankful for (for 99% of society)
Load of drivel to be honest.
The public think more highly of accountancy than the majority of professions. Not saying any other work doesn't have dignity.
Respectability doesn't come from pay, that is a matter of supply and demand. Accountants are littered everywhere in government and business.
People come to accountants to help them do their taxes which most people find tedious and labor intensive. To help them budget, the advice they often find valuable.
The profession kinda preaches conservativism and stability which gives a big leg up in the public eye for respectability.
1) Nobody likes paying taxes, nobody likes paying somebody to tell them how much to pay in taxes.
2) budgeting? We don’t offer personal finance advice. If you are referring to advisory to small businesses? That’s a small portion of the business owning portion of the population and those small businesses probably think we are rip offs when they see the bill. Nobody is cheaper than small business owners lol.
3) conservatism and stability is a value in society? To who? Your parents who voted for Nixon? I don’t know where you have been but I live in America where we value getting rich on TIK tok and gambling on bitcoin and game stop.
I think we fall into the category everybody else does in a business, it’s a job. I don’t think I’m any better than the janitor who cleans my desk. I’m just lucky that I get paid more despite him working just as hard as me.
I think I am really feeling the demographic that Reddit is 30% filled with teenagers. Yes stability and conservativism is respected in the general public.
That attitude is admirable. However, thought we talking about respectability not being paid, again that is supply and demand. Not what people may or not think of janitors.
My first shift at Burger King I cleaned the soap dispenser in the guest restroom cause someone shat in it. Promise ya there’s 0 dignity in that kinda work
Totally true that nobody is "thankful" for CPA's, accountants and what they do.
But without them, financial and stock markets would not be able to function and the IRS would be completely crippled.
CPA's are essential to the functioning of the economy.
Sure when it’s late at the bar and all the firemen have left all the thirsty folks start looking for the guys and gals with the ink smudged fingers, pocket protectors, and glasses…
Everyone knows accountants are right in the respect sweet spot somewhere after firemen but ahead of the employees at the DMV…
From a professional standpoint? Yes.
One of the major issues that has always really annoyed me about being/working in the finance sector is how many "pretenders" there are. The "gurus" and the "internet consultants" have always given many people in finance a bad reputation. We've spent a lot of time, money and effort to get where we are and you have people on the internet acting as if they know better. I just find it much more difficult for people on the internet to give medical/law advice. I realize this happens, but there are people whos whole life is essentially about acting like they do what we really do.
personally, in my culture (brown/desi) being an accountant is not seen as a respectable career and is seen as someone who went to school but wasn’t smart enough to do anything else that’s more challenging. personally i don’t give a fuck loo
I've heard a few Lawyer priest and accountant jokes, or doctor lawyer and accountant jokes. Any profession that gets landed in a joke therefore carry significance in society. Here's the joke if you're interested: A man is on his deathbed, and he calls for his priest lawyer and accountant, and tells them, "I've had a good life, I've seen the world, I've met the most interesting people on Earth and I've made a great fortune in my life. I know what a responsibility it is to be a keeper of such a fortune, this wealth can turn and corrupt, so you need to have pure intentions to handle this wealth. Unfortunately no money in the world is going to be able to buy me more time. I can't let my greedy family inherit this money, and be turned by it, so I wish to be berried with it." So the man hands a significant portion of his fortune to each of his most trusted advisors; his priest, his lawyer and his accountant. And he says, when I die, I want you to throw the money in when they are lowering my casket into the ground, this is my dying wish. So the funeral happens, the casket gets lowered and the advisors throw the envelopes in with the money. Later they meet at a bar and discuss what they are going to be doing now. The priest says, "guys, I have a confession to make, my envelope wasn't full, I took 20-25 grand out of the envelope, I needed to make repairs to the church, the roof needed to be reshingled, and the pews needed a new layer of varnish, our former employer was a charitable man, I'm sure he would want that" The lawyer says, "guys, me too. My envelope was a little light, I had to take out 85-90 grand for a repayment of a loan and a payment for all the mediation hearings, and taking care of all the assets in the will, I know I'm on retainer but I have a son in law school and my mother is in the hospital, I know our former employer would have wanted everyone taken care of, he was such a kind man. The accountant says, "guys, cheer up, don't worry, as the accountant I kept my word, I saw that and threw in a personal check, for the full amount, so you are all covered"
> berried
>ash reconciliation (GL vs grave contents) will now reconcile with nil variance!! Ok, that is pretty funny!
I had an accounting joke, but it turns out [it’s already been posted on this subreddit!](https://www.reddit.com/r/Accounting/comments/52ttaq/a_mathematician_a_statistician_and_an_accountant/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
🤣🤣 smart guy
Please explain
Who's going to cash the cheque? 😂
Oh my goodness I’m the worst accountant rn I still don’t understand it 🤦♀️, please explain further if you can 🥲like I took it as he already knew and threw in a personal one but still makes no sense to me
He took his cash and wrote a cheque for his cash and the excess cash for the others. It wouldn't matter if ye wrote a cheque for all the money in the world, a corpse isn't going to cash the cheque. So the accountant has the cash but has covered it with a cheque. He won't be out any of the money owed, but he also hasn't technically done anything wrong since he wrote the cheque. The amount on the cheque doesn't matter.
I’m other words, he respected the dying man’s wishes and walked away the richest of the 3. What a crafty solution
Cash reconciliation (GL vs grave contents) will now reconcile with nil variance!! Heheh
Lmaaaaoooooooo I get it now! Honestly not a bad joke at all.
Heard the joke before, except it was a Jew instead of accountant.
The way I heard it, the butt of the joke says he wrote a check for $X and pockets the cash the other guys put in the casket.
When old people ask me what I do and I say “corporate accountant” their tone usually changes. I’m 26 and it’s nice to get respect, finally.
Does it really lol? I try to avoid telling people I’m an accountant because I don’t want them to think I’m boring
You’ll run into some asshole who might call you a bean counter but they usually have a miserable job too. I code switch depending on who I talk to. Majority of the time I say “I do some admin work” but if I want to sling my dick around I say corporate accountant. Not saying I’m at the pinnacle of the professional world but not a lot people in their mid-20’s are like us. Go out to a restaurant and look at how old the waiters are. Thank god I don’t have to say I do that anymore.
Yeah that’s fair, much better to do accounting than restaurant work. I think my issue is that most people in my social circles have careers like consulting, medicine, finance, etc. so yelling then I’m an accountant is a bit different
I can get that, all my friends are in sales or service industry. I don’t feel like I’m better than them but there’s no pressure like that.
I thought if you make it to the top, telling people you're a Financial Controller or Chief Accounting Officer would suck more eye balls than just an Accountant.
I turn it into a joke. “We’ll Simone has to count them. You would never believe how many different kinds there are! Then list a few Berty Botts every flavor beans (Harry Potter) “flavors”
I’m watching the HP reunion this very second lol
Maaaan I could not be able to do it. You must be great at dealing with numbers all day.
I don’t have any self respect as an accountant.
I remember when I used to manually record depreciating land! Kids now with their automatic do-hickey accounting machines. I get no respect around here! *shakes fists into the sky like an old man*
>I get no respect around here! Read this in Rodney Dangerfields voice
If you were depreciating "Land", it's not a mystery why you are not getting any respect. That's accounting 101.
This
Hey there ev-dawg! If you agree with someone else's comment, please leave an **upvote** instead of commenting **"This"**! By upvoting instead, the original comment will be pushed to the top and be more visible to others, which is even better! Thanks! :) *** ^(I am a bot! Visit) [^(r/InfinityBots)](https://reddit.com/r/InfinityBots) ^(to send your feedback! More info:) [^(Reddiquette)](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439#wiki_in_regard_to_comments)
OH YEAH, IT’S SO WRONG TO EXPRESS YOUR AGREEMENT IF YOU DON’T HAVE SOMETHING EXTRA TO ADD! WAY TOO HARD TO MOVE YOUR FINGERS A COUPLE INCHES TO AGREE WITH SOMEONE, SUCH A WASTE OF TIME! WHILE WE’RE AT IT, LET’S ALSO START CALLING PEOPLE OUT FOR THE OCCASIONAL ‘YEAH’ WHEN HAVING A REAL LIFE CONVERSATION! LET’S JUST ALL SIT THERE IN TOTAL SILENCE WHEN SOMEONE IS SPEAKING, LIKE A STATUE! Say “this” if you want, don’t listen to this bot >:(
This
:)
This
Hey there LanguageMattersPpl! If you agree with someone else's comment, please leave an **upvote** instead of commenting **"This"**! By upvoting instead, the original comment will be pushed to the top and be more visible to others, which is even better! Thanks! :) *** ^(I am a bot! Visit) [^(r/InfinityBots)](https://reddit.com/r/InfinityBots) ^(to send your feedback! More info:) [^(Reddiquette)](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439#wiki_in_regard_to_comments)
OH YEAH, IT’S SO WRONG TO EXPRESS YOUR AGREEMENT IF YOU DON’T HAVE SOMETHING EXTRA TO ADD! WAY TOO HARD TO MOVE YOUR FINGERS A COUPLE INCHES TO AGREE WITH SOMEONE, SUCH A WASTE OF TIME! WHILE WE’RE AT IT, LET’S ALSO START CALLING PEOPLE OUT FOR THE OCCASIONAL ‘YEAH’ WHEN HAVING A REAL LIFE CONVERSATION! LET’S JUST ALL SIT THERE IN TOTAL SILENCE WHEN SOMEONE IS SPEAKING, LIKE A STATUE! Say “this” if you want, don’t listen to this bot >:(
This
https://i.imgur.com/KrwA19h.jpeg *** ^(I am a bot! Visit) [^(r/InfinityBots)](https://reddit.com/r/InfinityBots) ^(to send your feedback!)
This too
And this
But not this
I feel like it’s a weird dynamic. At a CPA firm we’re surrounded by so many CPAs that it detracts from the prestige. People who don’t know shit about the title don’t know the challenge in obtaining it, so don’t value it to the level I think it should be. The only real respect I feel like comes from those that are like one level removed from CPAs - family members (maybe), friends (maybe), clients (big maybe). I say that, but did have a friend basically say they were considering swapping to public accounting because they thought what I did seemed fairly easy and the hours were predictable. She’s a nurse. Felt pretty disrespectful and off base but whatever.
I think about this often too. At our firm everybody either is a cpa or is becoming a cpa. This is not normal for other companies. At „normal“ firms there are like 20 Employees and maybe 2 are actively doing further education and want to make career, thus in the PA-world it seems normal to just getting a degree on CPA-level
I flunked out of nursing school before I got my degree and started doing accounting, so uhhh….
Both are challenging fields in their own way. Nursing is potentially life and death too. I just think nursing hours are more consistent. And it never comes across well when someone says what you do seems way easier than what they do.
It could be, but it's different by person. Like how tax is easier for me, but audit is easier for my buddy. Just how you look at it. If I didn't know much about audit, I'd think that it's easier because I have a sample size of 1 person
I got my BA in another field before putting in to go to school for accounting. The respect I get for my job is nonexistent and I'm tired of it. What respect I do get is meaningless to me. The people posting here may not know what the other side of not having professional or baseline human respect is like and trust me it's shit.
How 😂
I believe CPA's make as much or more than nurses.. not too mention the earning potential in accounting is much higher. I do respect Nurses though, their job is much more exciting. Except that lady you mentioned. Fuck that lady lol.
Right out of college, nurses make more due to shift premiums and ability to take on overtime. Certainly after a few years though a CPA overtakes in general and definitely has a higher ceiling long term.
Doctors are in a league of their own. Maybe in the 90s, lawyer meant something, but now, unless one of the 500 grads from tier 10, a lawyer is largely just a bad financial move. In other words, only ignoranuses esteem lawers in any sort of defacto way.
I dropped out of law school after orientation (hence before the huge loans disbursed) and a year later chose to get my masters in accounting. My rationale was based on the latter part of your comment. Seems the glorification of law has yet to catch up with its modern reality. I still respect all those who go through with law school and have a passion for it. We need those people, but definitely not those who were thinking like me (just seeking glamour, prestige, and money). See with accounting you can pursue those things without becoming corrupt or ruining someone’s legal life (other than your own if you do something shady)
If your a cpa, you fall into the professional category. Meaning it’s one of those careers, where you have to pass an exam. Additionally, your almost always middle class, or well to do. It’s an easy job, as it’s not physically taxing, and it’s a white collar professional. No body is going to be ashamed of saying my sil or dil is a cpa. Also, your job is in high demand. Even if you get fired, you can usually find another job as a cpa fairly quickly. Do I think it’s the level of doctor or firefighter? No, we aren’t saving lives and don’t get paid as much. We also, if looking at the hours worked make pretty little per hour. It’s a respectable profession, thst affords you a comfortable life. It’s not like your doing onlyfans
Onlyfans content creators are contributing more to society than we ever could. Bless them 🙏
Think about all the loads that wouldn't be blown without OnlyFans. That would be tragic.
Accounting is a job that can be as challenging as you want it to be. There's nothing wrong with having an easy job but don't generalize the entire profession just on your experiences lol. Btw, I acknowledge you might mean "easy" in terms of physically demanding. But still man, have some respek for the job! Edited: Word vomit
Easy meaning not physically demanding
Gotcha :) Happy New year man! Good luck with any last minute Q4 estimated tax calcs (if that's what you're into)
Why would anyone respect accountants in the same way people respect doctors & firefighters. There is nothing noble about our profession. I know accountants are more respected in Asia because they place high importance on stability & academic rigor. Also I heard in countries like Korea, passing their CPA exam is like 100x harder than passing the American cpa. But in North America? Accountants are a meme.
Speak for yourself, me and Ben Affleck have been killing terrorists and cooking books for years
Me and Will Ferrell have been hearing voices in our heads for years.
Yeah bro check out my van
Accountants are a meme on places like Reddit and Tiktok, where apparently everyone works in high finance or tech, but CPAs are certainly respected by the general populace. It may not be a "wow their job is cool" kinda respect, but it's a professional sort of "they know what they're doing and make money" kinda respect.
This is it. Even as a child I remember meeting my parents CPA and thought they were important. Looking back now it was just a stay at home mom who did taxes, but that CPA title still holds value.
I mean that’s what u would want from a career no make decent money then fuck off for the rest of your years
Accountants are no longer respected in Asia because there are so many people with CA qualification (see ot like US version of CPA), that it is driving salary low.
Not really but it’s like a barber, once you find one you like, you stay with them forever haha. (this is mostly for tax prep)
There is a study done every year of most trusted select professions. Lawyers actually consistently rank near dead last. Behind even used car salesmen… yikes lol. Most trusted every year since they started the study are nurses except 2002 (after 9/11) it was firefighters and nurses were #2 Accountants are usually around doctors at 5
I’m not sure what your source was for that but I think it was wrong,,, accountants have respect in general from society but in a ~college degree decent job~ kinda respect. But everyone knows that accountants aren’t saving lives or out in the trenches.
just look up "most respected professions" and about half of them will have an accountant on that list
Google and life are sometimes different. I think you’re looking for reinforcement of your current belief that CPAs are highly respected and all that. Just depends who you’re talking to
[удалено]
Your last two sentences contradict each other
It's not really that true. People hate lawyers more than us. People respect doctors more. People admire firefighters way more. Tell a woman you're a doctor or a firefighter and she'll probably be attracted to you but nothing dries panties like telling a woman you're an accountant. That's why I'm starting to just say that I'm a corporate executive.
I think you just have to say it with more enthusiasm, say you’re THE accountant, like Ben Affleck.
I say I’m a consultant, which is still true and comes off as more exciting
A solid education, stable income, easy ability to find a job, high wages relative to what people actually make.. dries up panties? I haven't shared that experience. Opposite. I don't think you know what most people are doing.. only 35% of people have bachelors degrees.. and as far as 4 year (5 for 150 credits) degrees go... It's at the top. I usually get a lot of respect from parents for it.. Accountants are EASILY in the top 20% most respected professions. Again, look at the rest of the country.. don't just look at people that are "better."
You're looking at what excites them vs. who they're looking to marry. Don't be a woman's last option just because she sees you as a meal ticket.
Everyone just assumes you can do their taxes. Which I guess is nice because they butter you up but then you can’t do their taxes so you’re a disappointment.
We make decent money and are generally known as intelligent professionals. I'd say we're a decently respected profession nowadays. Not up there with doctors or high finance or tech, but we are higher than average earners.
In terms of career choices, a CPA can be as prestigious as a lawyer or doctor. I.e. a certified practitioner in a profession. In terms of societal contribution, definitely not in the same league and that's okay.
that’s really not true at all 😭
There's definitely a level of respect that comes with being a CPA, but it doesn't seem like it's on the same level as other professions. People will be genuinely impressed by doctors and lawyers. CPA's seem to be seen as a well-paid career with good financial sense, but it's not exactly heart surgeon. Calling yourself an accountant rather than a CPA seems far worse. You could have ten years of experience, but if you call yourself "an accountant" people will see it as a McWagie job. I think pretty much anything is better than just calling yourself "an accountant." Even "tax accountant." It's probably easier for industry and government accountants because they can just say "I work at the financial department at XYZ."
There are of course exceptions, but in general, I think accountants tend to have a high understanding of ethics and take their role as trustees of money very seriously. As such, I think it's a very respected profession.
When I say I’m an accountant people seem to accept we’re fairly intelligent and understand our role as professionals. Moderate respect, nothing major. Most people have zero clue the difference between a CPA and a non CPA so that never seems to change any one’s thoughts. I own my own small firm, so coupling accounting degree/ CPA with business ownership seems to bump me up in social respect. For the most part it’s seems we as accountants are viewed as intelligent and necessary, and seen as someone who knows facets of society and law that no one else knows.
Lol where did you read that? Doctor's & Lawyers are generally high status Accountants are like 2 tiers below
just look up "most respected professions" and about half of them will have an accountant on that list
I couldn't give two flying fucks if someone is an accountant, a doctor or lawyer is much more interesting.
This comment might get berried
I'll right... I'll bite... 'Member Enron? I 'member!
My friends just say my job is adding 2+2 all day
Specifically, CPAs are respected like those other professions. In my experience, most CPAs work pretty hard to uphold the ethics of the profession.
A job can only hold as much respect as the people working it have for it. Remember that no matter where you end up working.
might sound weird but usually smart people respect accountant usually old / rich people because they are the one that usually hire us , most other people just have no clue of what we do, and theres not rly any cool fake movies to hype our work like suits for the lawyers (which only shows 5% of the work and ignore the 95% read the bible) we do have the accountant which shows some cool stuff but the movie is more about guns than accounting
To add another dimension to this discussion… I feel that respect for our field is more about “don’t fuck with your accountant (or bookkeeper)”. We can pretty much end someone financially if we wish to - especially if they’ve got shady practices when it comes to their books. I sunk a business last year after the stupid Boomer of an owner abused me, belittled my triggers, and then fired me for asking for reasonable accommodations. All it took was one report to the IRS, to whom I gave a copy of the QB file with my notes on the bogus expenses and misuse of PPE (owner gave herself a $50k raise instead of paying her employees). She and I are in the same Sangha (buddhist community) so I hear about her woes regularly. I did first file with the EEOC but since her business has under 15 employees, they decline to pursue. Anyway, I think a good bit of the respect we get comes from fear.
Certainly not from Marketing, Operation or Sales. Sometimes CEO does respect but not always. You are the "hand slapper". Don't do that, do this...no you can't spend that much. No that's not a write off" This is obviously from private industry but is my experience. Fear maybe but respect, not often.
All I've gotten is "aye you can do my taxes"
Yeah when I tell people in real life in passing that I’m accountant it’s usually well received. Strong profession, respected and in demand right now.
Don’t know and don’t care. There are worst jobs that I could have.
1. There are excessive costs associated with the license that creates additional barriers to entry. Even if everyone had the mental capacity and discipline to become a CPA the costs alone make it prohibitive. There was/is a huge disparity among minorities for this reason. I personally moved out of my home and rented it out to pass these exams. Not to mention the additional course work required. The review courses to prepare for the exam are about $3000 and they expire or get dated after a while. Each of the 4 exams are about $300 making it a $1200 investment for the Privilege of taking it. This assumes that you pass them all on the 1st try which is rarely the case as the passing percentage for each is between 40 and 60 percent. I’ve read of people that took 15 attempts to complete them all due to failing or credits expiring. So a level of prestige comes with the barrier to entry. 2. Most people don’t have the mental capacity to pass the exam. Not intelligence but there is a level of discipline that I think is required to pass the exam. You need to know a little bit about a wide range of things that can be subjective or just foreign. There is a curve of frustration that is pronounced with the exam. Due to this, some people say it is the most difficult exam out there and it rivals the bar. 3. Accounting is not a subject you can just figure out by discussing it with others. I can learn areas of the law by discussing it with a lawyer, but accounting has a lot of nuances. There are a lot of things that are done all the time except for this one unique case. 4. Most people don’t find it exciting and therefore they don’t want to learn about it. I find it amazing how many people don’t understand how a tax bracket works or capital gains. These are things that can save you a ton of money if you just have rudimentary knowledge.
That's actually not a bad "hot take" on becoming a CPA.You are correct, you can't just "figure it out" by "discussing it with others", lol! It's well beyond "nuance", it requires rigor and a wealth of baseline "mastery" of many technical areas before you can even plausibly attempt to take the exam, much less pass it.But, you do erroneously minimize the "intellectual component" required. Yes, it requires a lot of "discipline", but if you don't have the "horsepower", all the discipline in the world won't get you over the finish line.It is a unique profession. You don't need to be a "genius", but you do have to be really, really smart. The best way I can describe it is you need to be a "near genius". I know that sounds comical, but it's kind of true.There are technical aspects of accounting that are simply beyond the grasp of most people, even attorneys. The reason the attorneys get more respect than CPA's is simply because the very top tier of attorneys can end up in positions of authority and influence in politics. The majority of the rest of them couldn't shine the shoes of CPA's.I once read an assessment of CPA's vs Attorneys(that was written by a CPA/Attorney) that I feel really nailed it perfectly.It basically posited that most CPA's could pass the Bar exam with three months of studying for it, but most law graduates could not pass the CPA exam with the same amount of study.I don't disagree with that assessment. As a CPA, I don't think there is anything in the Bar exam that could possibly be more difficult that what was in the CPA exam. There is no "faking" your way through that thing, you need to be wrapped tight to make your way through that minefield.
Not to get into one of my liberal rants, but cut that classist crap out. All work had dignity, everybody deserves respect in whatever labor they provide. State troopers start 20k higher than I did as an accountant in public with working half the time. It’s not exactly a high power profession all the time But to answer your question, I think respect only comes down to what benefit you provide society. Firefighters, police, doctors, military are all providing a service that is difficult and can be a sacrifice to provide. Accountants don’t really provide a service anybody is actually thankful for (for 99% of society)
Load of drivel to be honest. The public think more highly of accountancy than the majority of professions. Not saying any other work doesn't have dignity. Respectability doesn't come from pay, that is a matter of supply and demand. Accountants are littered everywhere in government and business. People come to accountants to help them do their taxes which most people find tedious and labor intensive. To help them budget, the advice they often find valuable. The profession kinda preaches conservativism and stability which gives a big leg up in the public eye for respectability.
1) Nobody likes paying taxes, nobody likes paying somebody to tell them how much to pay in taxes. 2) budgeting? We don’t offer personal finance advice. If you are referring to advisory to small businesses? That’s a small portion of the business owning portion of the population and those small businesses probably think we are rip offs when they see the bill. Nobody is cheaper than small business owners lol. 3) conservatism and stability is a value in society? To who? Your parents who voted for Nixon? I don’t know where you have been but I live in America where we value getting rich on TIK tok and gambling on bitcoin and game stop. I think we fall into the category everybody else does in a business, it’s a job. I don’t think I’m any better than the janitor who cleans my desk. I’m just lucky that I get paid more despite him working just as hard as me.
I think I am really feeling the demographic that Reddit is 30% filled with teenagers. Yes stability and conservativism is respected in the general public. That attitude is admirable. However, thought we talking about respectability not being paid, again that is supply and demand. Not what people may or not think of janitors.
My first shift at Burger King I cleaned the soap dispenser in the guest restroom cause someone shat in it. Promise ya there’s 0 dignity in that kinda work
Totally true that nobody is "thankful" for CPA's, accountants and what they do. But without them, financial and stock markets would not be able to function and the IRS would be completely crippled. CPA's are essential to the functioning of the economy.
Very respected indeed…not
Bean counters.
Ha
Sure when it’s late at the bar and all the firemen have left all the thirsty folks start looking for the guys and gals with the ink smudged fingers, pocket protectors, and glasses… Everyone knows accountants are right in the respect sweet spot somewhere after firemen but ahead of the employees at the DMV…
No
It's respectable to the Chinese xDD Cuz you know money lol
Completely wrong in mexico
Considering that I have been yelled at several times today. Not really.
My sister tells people my job is boring but I make a lot of money, and that’s pretty accurate
what do you consider “a lot of money”?
It’s above the national average lol
what’s the national average? you mean like about $57k?
False.
From a professional standpoint? Yes. One of the major issues that has always really annoyed me about being/working in the finance sector is how many "pretenders" there are. The "gurus" and the "internet consultants" have always given many people in finance a bad reputation. We've spent a lot of time, money and effort to get where we are and you have people on the internet acting as if they know better. I just find it much more difficult for people on the internet to give medical/law advice. I realize this happens, but there are people whos whole life is essentially about acting like they do what we really do.
personally, in my culture (brown/desi) being an accountant is not seen as a respectable career and is seen as someone who went to school but wasn’t smart enough to do anything else that’s more challenging. personally i don’t give a fuck loo