The Evening Star ”MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1929. ACCOUNTANTS’ CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 20263, 26 August 1929, Page 8

The Evening Star ”MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1929. ACCOUNTANTS’ CONFERENCE.

Thb civic reception which was given this morning to the visiting delegates to the annual conference of the New Zealand Society of Accountants was a. recognition at once of a most important profession, and a most rare occasion. Tho name “accountant” does not sound and glitter down the ages, like the names of some other professions, but those fulfilling tho functions which it connotes have always been essential to their times. Tho complexity which business of aIT kinds has assumed lias made them more than ever before essential to these latest times. Sir Joseph Ward, who is himself, and lias been for many years, a Fellow of tho New Zealand Society of Accountants, has well observed that “ the modern development of large-scale industry, of specialisation in manufacturing and of competition, has created a demand for persons skilled in costing, scientific management, and accountancy generally. It is difficult to over-estimate the value of an accountancy training to a business man. Ho may bo successful without such training, but it is certain ho would bo more successful witli it, , . . Tho scope of tho accountancy profession has boon increased to a very marked extent in recent years. The enormous expansion of trade, tho extension of commerce, tho development of credit, and the concentration of capital iu many important undertakings have lifted tho profession of accountancy to a position of marked prominence.”

Not only has accountancy become one of thb most important professions in itself, but it is wonderful how it has invaded other professions, which have been unable to complain of its intrusion since they have found it tho most necessary of allies. The Chief Justice has stated how a knowledge of commercial business and of the methods of commercial men is of the greatest value to the practising lawyer. Until comparatively recently it was difficult to acquire that knowledge except to tho extent to which it might bo acquired by contact and association wifh commercial men. This state of affairs Ims been altered by tho modern course and methods of training in accountancy, and His Honour has expressed his opinion that such a training must bo of the greatest possible value to any legal practitioner, particularly if ho desires to specialise in commercial law. Tho most outstanding example of the recognition of accountancy in the dominion* is in the Public Service. In 1914 there were only thirty-one accountants, qualified by examination, in the service, aud in only two cases was the position of accountant held by an officer qualified by examination. Last year there were 260 officers .so qualified, and to obtain promotion in this branch of the service the professional examination qualification is essential. There aro two accountants in tho New Zealand Ministry, which stands for “ more business iu Government ” as well as “ less Government in business "—Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Taverner. A survey of the post-war years reveals the very large part which accountancy lias played in the solving or industrial problems. Services of members of the profession have been utilised in reparation schemes, reconstruction and reorganisation of industrial concerns, taxation difficulties, installation of costing and budgetary systems, and in many other directions. The establishment of accountancy on its present basis in New Zealand is a comparatively now development. Tho first recorded instance of the organisation of the profession of accountancy in the dominion occurred in May, 1894, when the Incorporated Institute of Accountants was farmed, with headquarters in Wellington, In December, 1898, the New .Zealand Accountants and Auditors’ Association, with headquarters at Auckland, was formed. In 1908 the New Zealand Society of Accountants Act was passed, and immediately after the passing of tho Act the necessary procedure in regard to tho formation of the New Zealand Society of Accountants was put in train. Of the members of tho first council the only ones-now retaining their seats on that body are Messrs Peter .Barr and W. E. Best. In his valuable presidential askkaea reviewing the growth of the profession and dealing with a wide variety of economic problems with which accountancy is closely interwoven, Mr James Hogg recalled that 1,844 candidates sat for its examinations last year, the largest number for any of tho professions. Almost invariably tho annual conference of tho New -Zealand Society of Accountants has boon hold in .Wellington, and it is fifteen years since it sat before in Dun, edin. The present gathering, therefore., has an unusual interest for this city, and it is to bo hoped that its deliberations will be both pleasant and profitable.