ccountant and the Business Owner

A young accountant straight out of school applies for a job advertised in the Sydney Morning Herald. He is interviewed by the owner of a small business who has built it up from scratch.

"I need someone with an accounting degree," says the man, "but mainly I'm looking for someone to do my worrying for me."

"How do you mean?" says the accountant.

"I have lots of things to worry about, but I want someone else to worry about money matters."

"OK," says the accountant. "How much are you offering?"

"You can start on seventy-five thousand," says the owner.

"Seventy-five thousand dollars. How can a business like this afford to pay so much?"

"That," says the man, "is your first worry."

After you have a good laugh (or perhaps a few chuckles), please respond to the following questions:

• What are your career goals?

• What is your reaction to this story?

• Does this story portray the reality of the accountant's work?

• Does this joke portray a stereotype?

• If you agree with the substance of this story in terms of the accountant's role, is this attractive to you as a career?