Accountancy

Read what the two people say about their job:

1) Helen: “I work in Edinburgh for one of the big accountancy firms. We look at the financial records or accounts of a lot of companies. We work with the accountants of those companies, and the people who work under them: the bookkeepers. I like my profession: accountancy.

Sometimes we act as auditors: specialist outside accountants who audit a company's accounts, that is, we check them at the end of a particular period to see if they give a true and fair view (an accurate and complete picture). An audit can take several days, even for a fairly small company.

When a company's results are made to look better than they really are, even if it follows the rules, it may be accused of creative accounting or window dressing. Of course, I never do this! ”

Note: The profession is called accountancy (BrE) or accounting (AmE).

The activity is called accounting (BrE and AmE).

2) Marie: “I work in the finance department of a large company. There are a lot of benefits. For example, if the company makes a profit, all the employees get a bonus. There's also a profit share, but that's only for managers. I have a company car and I also travel abroad quite a lot – always business class and on expenses, of course. We also get a pension and private health insurance. The company pays for its staff to develop their professional skills. And we get free membership of the local gym. There are also rewards: it's hard work, but I get a lot of satisfaction from it. People recognize it if you do a good job, so there are good prospects for promotion.”

· Look at this list of things that motivate people and tick the things Marie mentions.

· Write down the translation.

· Which things in the list are benefits (extra things you get from your employer)?

· Which ones are rewards (things that make you feel good about the job)?

1 What are the rewards and benefits of the accountancy profession? Which of them will motivate you most? 2 What skills and qualities will you need to be successful in this profession? 3 When did you decide to become an accountant? What (or who) influenced your decision? 4 What is your opinion of creating accounting?