Why I love accountancy…1) Solving problems My job allows me the opportunity to always be on the front line solving business problems. Whether it is cash shortages, low sales, how to turn losses into profits, there is always something to solve. This keeps the job interesting and diverse. I use my problem solving techniques and implement solutions that achieve the desired results. Most importantly these skill sets are particularly valuable to businesses today.2) Participating in key decision making and making strategic recommendations I get the unique opportunity to participate in strategic decision making. This is extremely essential in the accounting field to help shape and decide the long term goals and objectives of the organisation as well as make necessary recommendations for growth, expansion or restructuring.3) Collaborating with different departments Because the profession is the central unit where all information is accumulated, analysed and disseminated, there must be collaboration between the various departments within the business. This allows departments to work together, brainstorm on new ideas and solve problems. This also allows me to learn and understand the operational units and how they work. I have a well rounded overall understanding of how the company works, because of this I’m able to take on management roles.4) Analysing data to guide decision making For me, this is one of the most important aspects. Accountants get to use data to inform executive and business unit heads of the company’s financial performance, identify historical trends, understand market conditions and competitiveness and make projections for the future. As the volume of information increases and demands from businesses change there is an expectation to find new revenue potentials that impact the bottom line and ultimately the business and its stakeholders positively.5) Leading process improvements There is continuous need for process improvement within any organization. Businesses are so dynamic and so must we be too in responding to changes as they arise. There must be changes to processes as strategic objectives change to support them and accountants are integral to these improvements. Not only the introductionof new processes but reengineering and redesigning of old ones to achieve the company’s goals.