What to Do With our Girls.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue IV, 28 July 1900, Page 177

What to Do With our Girls.

Women are gradually winning their way into businesses and occupations hitherto monopolised almost exclusively by men. and amongst these must now be added that of a- public accountant, which more than one woman is pursuing successfully in the metropolis at the present time. To say that the work is suited to the average girl would be preposterous, as it requires exceptional faculties. which are given onlv to the few. The position of a public accountant is in reality that of n glorified bookkeeper. and the work is both responsible and imperative in its demands upon the time of the accountant. Extreme accuracy, orderliness, and method are absolute essentials, and a mathematical mind of great clearness is also a desideratum. Any girl with a genuine talent for book-keeping and accounts, with neat handwriting, and the above requisites, should be very carefully trained as her talent may eventually be turned to account as an accountant, and, since there are so few womenworkers in the field, there is a good opening for a really clever woman. The first step in the direction is a good, sound, high school education, in which special attention has been given to those subjects which are more directly connected with the girl’s future career. Any girl who is unmethodical, inaccurate, or careless, may as well give up all idea of this branch of Work at the outset, for the accountant, like the poet, may be said to be born, and not made. The mind must be naturally 7 well-balanced, and the head clear and calm, to begin with, as these qualities cannot be instilled artificially. When the girl leaves school she should be apprenticed to a public accountant;—preferably a woman—and serve her articles for some years—say, five l —working hard all the time, and devoting her time and energies entirely to the duties required. The more varied the practice of the accountant, the better, of course, the opportunities of learning the work, and every opportunity should be seized of mastering all details. Sometimes the student remains on with her firm as a clerk, thus gaining still more valuable knowledge, and she may, if successful, obtain an appointment as accountant to a company, before setting up for herself—a step that requires the most careful consideration. The fact of being considered competent by an established firm or company to undertake its business is in itself a recommendation which cannot be over-valued. The expense of the articles is naturally a stumbling block in the path of many-would-be accountants, but no expense should or, indeed, must be spared to make the education complete throughout. It will be amply repaid afterwards.