Key To Financial Control

Opportunity for graduates in the field of accountancy cover a wide range, from specialised consultancy to financial journalism. In between lie the fields of public accountancy and of financial management, and administration in every industry throughout the nation.

The largest single group of accountants are public accountants, comprising 27 per cent of the membership of the Society. The nature of the practice carried out varies with its location and with the interests of the accountant concerned. Larger city firms are engaged primarily in auditing, whilst some smaller firms in country districts have predominantly a practice based on the preparation of tax returns for farms and small business men. In between lie varying combinations of taxation, estate planning and secretarial work.

In New Zealand, membership of the Society represents the key to financial control of businesses of all kinds, and the standard of accounting in commercial concerns compares most favourably with similar undertakings overseas. In smaller concerns, registered accountants (members of the Society not in public practice) act as financial controllers and managers in addition to their normal secretarial and accounting functions. Larger concerns rely heavily on members of the Society for executive appointments at various levels, as can be seen by numerous advertisements in the local press. Many opportunities are available to accountants in the Public Service, in banks, and in local bodies.

The general acceptance of the role of the accountant as financial adviser in recent years has widened the horizons of the profession considerably, as evidenced by the establishment of Chairs of Accountancy at all four universities. This in turn is creating greater opportunity for accountants in the academic field—the number of accountants actively engaged in university teaching is now considerable.

In any expanding nation such as New Zealand, well trained and imaginative accountants are assured of excellent remuneration within a few years—in fact it is doubtful whether any profession provides a quicker route to a worthwhile income. A survey conducted by the University of Melbourne recently proved conclusively that accountants with a degree earned an average up to £200 a year more than accountants without a degree, which is a clear indication of the value of the wider education obtained through a university degree.

The profession is well served by the New Zealand Society of Accountants, which provides much assistance to its members in all sectors of the profession, through first-rate library facilities, publication of "The Accountants' Journal", facilities for liaison with Government departments and in many other ways, In turn, the profession gives much in public service to the nation, through membership of many Government commissions, voluntary financial services to charitable services and other ways.

Entry to the profession may be gained in many ways. Many of the larger firms of public accountants are able at any time fully to utilise the services of graduates, as are many of the larger commercial concerns and Government departments. Vacancies for accountants and financial executives are constantly occurring in smaller firms, and these are normally advertised through the Press.

Introductions to leading firms of public accountants requiring staff at graduate level will gladly be supplied by the Secretary, New Zealand Society of Accountants, Woodward House, 99 The Terrace. Graduates are invited to visit the Society's office personally and to inspect the library and other facilities available.