INTIMATELY LINKED

Evening Post, Issue 47, 23 August 1935, Page 5

INTIMATELY LINKED

ACCOUNTANTS. AND THE LAW

"The New Zealand-"Society of Accountants is intimately linked with the Law Society. The overhauling of statutes has; engaged the attention of both societies," remarked Mr. G. W. Reid, of Dunedin,: at a social function. : ■ ■ ■■ ' >-.:..•

..,-. Similar helpful' co-operation Has occurred in Australia. "Within Parlia-ment-we occasionally hear df the influence that a little leaven of accountancy has been- exercising -there," ran a recent statement of.Mr.fWrT. MacBride, president of the' Commonwealth' Institute of Accountants. "In fact it has been stated by a weekly journal that usually combines a sense of humour with a sense of fair play, 'that a certain Government was suffering from 'an accountancy, complex'—whatever that may mean. I do not know what the journalist had in mind, but in this instance, land in view of the beneficial changes' effected' by the said Government, I.suggest that we should take the' phrase as a compliment to accountancy. I do not think-that the term is sanctioned by the science •of psychology, rather is it an invention of journalism. If I may be. pardoned for a play, oh words, I affirm that 'accountancy complex' is . a "contradiction in terms. : There is nothing complex about: accountancy; : on^ the contrary-, in the realm of :commerce-figures, it is the unraveller of all that is- complex, the solvent of all that is intricate and involved. • It is a truth-revealer, and truth is never complex. ..... ■ "In business • accountancy is -.the science that rejoices .in,- making-the crooked straight and-the rough places plains and -doubtless some - of ',- our clients could recommend its fuller use in the: business of Parliament., /Furthermore,- in ;the words' of, Mr.- Hill 'Accountancy tends to'correct;-undue optimism and dispel undue, pessimism/ w.hich is another, recommendation for its fuller use in .Parliament.'■ I would like to quote, also from.a book written by an-English* barrister, ..Mr. • .Albert Crew. He says of the professional accountant: 'He has a passion for exactitude- and' accuracy,l and marshals figures into their ; proper• .places- so that: they-speak the truth'—qualities, you will observe, that .are very, bey coming- also in ■Parliamentary Trea-i surers

"You will remember-.that on" their visit to. Australia/a few years ,ago, the members •of the British Economic Mission, known .as 'The. Big FourV" in their report made a recommendation to the, Government in these words: 'That public" accountants should '- be prepared in'such a way as 'to make clear what is the exact financial position of each Goyernmerit undertaking.' Since ■ then'; I•: believe -.there • has been improvement in the setting out of some of the various-Governments' accounts in . Australia;. but therS seems to be room, for greater clarity, and there is room tor more of the leaven of accountancy . within the : Governmental'departments." • :'; '•-'■■.