GUIDANCE FROM FIGURES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 16 February 1935, Page 2

GUIDANCE FROM FIGURES

ONUS ON ACCOUNTANCY In emphasising the importance of the third convention of the New Zealand Society of Accountants —to be opened at Auckland next Monday—the editor of the “Accountants’ Journal” stresses the Jact that captains of commerce and industry throughout the world are looking to the accountancy profession for real Kelp in Solving their various problems. ‘ ‘The rapid changes which have taken place iii recent years in our social, economic and political . thought make it more than ever needful that the. professional accountant should keep -abreast of the times,” the editorial article states. '■'We .can conceive of no better plan to stimulate the thoughts and expand the outlook of members than by attendance and active participation in the discussions at the convention. Sound practical subjects in keeping with modern trends and developments in trade and industry will be dealt with, and the committee has been fortunate in securing the services not only of leaders iff our oivn profession, but has enlisted the co-operation of outstanding members of the Government service to open the discussions. “Since the depression the accountancy profession has been aceused ; perhaps hot always quite fftirljr, of failing to recognise its responsibilities in respect to research and the collection of facts and data for the benefit of the community. Not infrequently business men complain that they are not being supplied with the information that they need. Nowadays principals expect us not only to furnish reliable facts and figures but they are of the opinion that we. should, be thoroughly conversant with the pressing needs associated with them. It is considered that the collective knowledge of the profession should he up-to-date, properly coordinated and efficiently classified for the benefit of the public as well as our clients. “With the expansion of commerce and the rise of great corporations, to say nothing ol the incursions of the Government into the realms of trade and industry, the horizon of the accountant has widened very considerably, and at no time in our history have there been greater possibility for expert. service. Leaders of industry have learnt to appreciate the knowledge acquired through years, of practical experience and study, and to depend on our members for advice and assistance iii the many problems of management and policy. With this enhancement of our status we cannot afford to rest on our oars, and it is the bounden duty of every member to better fit himself for tlie difficulties which lie ahead.”