Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks

Introduction

Accounting, contrary to what many people believe, is a dynamic profession that changes with

time. The major principles of accounting have remained static, but the ways and methods of achieving

results have changed with the times. This has created a gap between old-fashioned accountants and

modern techie entrepreneurial accountants.

The pace of change within the profession has accelerated and created an environment where

Generation Y accountants are est placed to respond to the changing role and demands! according

to the latest "ulse research from #age$ This is one of the bold article circulating in

Accounting eb.!o."#, $%th of &une, '($), where accountants, editors, managers and members,

argue the sense of having this #ind of survey done by *age. +elt insulted and down,some veteran

accountants who are managers of accountancy firms reacted negatively with this issue.

To define, generation ,ers, those born between $-.. and $-/., have some definite

professional advantages over their 0eneration 1 counterparts - those born between $-// and $--%.

+amiliarity with modern computer technology is probably not one of them, though. 0en , grew up

using telephones attached to cords in the #itchen and wal#ing across the living room to change

television channels, while 0eneration 1 was raised on computers, cell phones and digital cable. 2ost

of this population is relatively comfortable navigating smart technology and #eeping up the latest

programs, tools and digital trends without much problem. "sing social media sites and adapting to

their fre3uent changes are as ordinary as breathing to the majority of 0eneration 1. This difference is

advantageous to 0en 1 accountants and !4As, and is e5actly why 0eneration , needs to get caught

up.

6n the field of accounting, the older accountants have typically spent years building their

professional networ# and are directly considered as e5perts in their area. These professionals are

more accustomed to communicating face-to-face and by telephone. These 3ualities are essential to a

successful accounting career, but if a 0en , accountant is going to stay up-to-date on todays

changing technology trends, he or she needs to be willing to do what it ta#es not to get lapped by their

0en 1 counterparts. And in these times, this means technology and how it can be used to one7s

advantage as an accountant.

"nli#e 0en ,ers, 2illennials want a structured, supportive wor# environment, personali8ed

wor#, and an interactive relationship with their bosses. This group is technically literate li#e no one

else since technology has always been part of their lives, are typically team-oriented, wor# well in

groups, are accomplished multi-tas#ers, and are willing to wor# hard as long as there is structure in

the wor#place.

They ac#nowledge and respect positions and titles, and want a relationship with their boss,

something that many 0en ,ers are not comfortable with given their desire for independence and their

preference for a hands-off style.

2any articles brought the the gap of old or senior accounts to today7s young accountants in

their e5periences, #nowledge and capabilities in simulating the undying global change.

This issue do not frame the honor and reputation of an old veteran accountants into shame,

this is just the battle of the distinction of of the generation that results to a gap.

Discussion

Age for old accountants will never be a matter to be discussed when we spea# of learning new

tric#s.

The CPE thing. 6n accountancy profession we have this !49 or !ontinuing 4rofessional

9ducation :!49;, refers to the inculcation, assimilation and ac3uisition of #nowledge, s#ills,

proficiency, ethical and moral values, to raise and enhance the professionals level of competence.

*ection )' of <A =o. -'-> on !ontinuing 4rofessional 9ducation :!49; 4rogram states that all

certified public accountants shall abide by the re3uirements, rules and regulations on continuing

professional education to be promulgated by the ?oard, subject to the approval of the !ommission, in

coordination with the accredited national professional organi8ation of certified public accountants or

any duly accredited educational institutions.

This the best avenue for old and young accountants to ensure the continuous education of

registered professional accountants on the latest trends in the profession brought about by

moderni8ation, scientific and technological advances@ promote and protect the general welfare of the

public@ maintain their professionals capabilities in delivering 3uality professional services@ instill and

maintain the highest technical and ethical standards of the practice of the accounting profession@ and

ma#e +ilipino accounting the professionals globally competitive.

Developing smart habits. *mart tools are used more and more fre3uently to communicate,

compute, collaborate and create. 6nstead of viewing these gadgets as a threat to traditional ways of

doing business,A 0en ,ers should loo# at smart phones, tablets, and other devices as ways to enrich

what they already have been doing so well. +or instance, instead of a conference call, try a 0oogleB

hangout, which allows real time video chatting for up to ten participants. *#ype and 0oTo2eeting.com

are other user-friendly ways to meet digitally with colleagues and clients around the world.

or#-

related travel is reduced, saving the firm time and money.

*mart phones and tablets allow for 3uic# and simple scheduling and te5ting, meaning that any

last minute updates and changes are delivered instantly to the people who need them. 2obile credit

card processors can streamline transactions in a safe and efficient manner.

2odern techie accountants are always in touch with changes in the global world as they tend

to manage their business from a global perspective. Cld fashioned accountants usually loo# at things

from their countrys perspective. !hanges in the global world, as long as they dont affect their country,

do not concern them. They usually change things when it is a legal re3uirement or when it is too

outdated.

Count on social media sites. +aceboo#, Twitter, Din#ed6n and other social media sites are all

e5cellent ways to build networ#s, advertise your services, and develop professional relationships.

2any 0eneration ,ers use these tools already, but it7s 0eneration 1 that really #nows the ins and outs

of how they can best be used professionally. 6n order to #eep up, 0en , needs to jump on this social

train and learn a few tric#s from its younger counterparts. !onsider ta#ing a class in social media or

finding an e5pert for some one-on-one teaching.

Utilize the internet functions. Cld fashioned accountants do not wor# online nearly as much

as the new breed. They have accounting systems that are on their des#tops and laptops. Cnce they

leave the office they leave their wor#. 2odern accountants are able to wor# online through internet

based accounting systems li#e Euic#boo#s online. They are able to use their accounting systems in

their offices and at home. Cld-fashioned accountants tend to wor# in a traditional office during normal

business hours. They are usually employees of another company or accounting firm. 2odern techie

accountants can wor# in the office or at home. They made be employed by one or multiple companies.

They set their own pace and wor#ing hours.

Stepping the borders. 2odern accountants are not limited by physical and geographical

boundaries. They are able to wor# remotely and offer their services to foreign based companies

through their use of modern technology. They are less susceptible to a particular countrys recession

than old fashioned accountants. An accountant who is based in *outh Africa can provide accounting

services for a company in ?ermuda. 2odern accountants are able to advise their clients from the

global business trends and perspective. They have thorough #nowledge of how the global business

community operates and behaves. Cld fashioned are not well versed with the global business

community as theyve not needed to be, in general.

2odern accountants offer business owners a wide variety of service providers to choose from.

This is because when a business owner is located in a country where the cost of accounting services

is very high, they can get services from another country where the cost is reasonable.

Be an entrepreneur. 2odern accountants are entrepreneurial. They offer their services and

get paid for the job done. They run businesses in which they are the employee:s;. They might also

subcontract the wor# or employ other accountants. Their employees may also be located in other

parts of the world. The employees may wor# from the office or their home.

Conclusion

4rofessional accountants do battle here is for, ego, which is competence and integrity as

!ertified 4ublic Accountants. Feteran accountants defend themselves for a cause, that they have

already built and established a reputation in the mar#et, and its hurting someone7s pride to be

compared to a young professional who don7t even have a half of your e5periences.

?ut 6 guess this issue, is to challenge old accountants, rather to compare them or insult their

part. This is the moment old accountants must grab to prove, that they are very 3ualified in every days

demands. This is the reality not only accountants face, but it is present to any profession who wants to

survive the competition . 4rofessionals come and go, there is no need to stable our 3uality services

but strive for e5cellence, don7t be let behind. This humanity always demands for new, innovation,

upgrade and changes that all of us must be adaptive of.

6ntelligence is undebatable matter for accountants, for !4A, #nowledge is always power. ?ut

we need to adopt with the new revolution, standards e3uip us with wisdom but e5ternal factors helps

us to continue in e5istence in the mar#et.

Technology is stressed in all the articles 6 have read. This ma#es a gap between young

accountants from old because they are already birth in this age, fle5ible, very adaptive, curious and

do love innovation. *ome old accountants do prefer the same old way how they use to with things,

because they are comfortable with it

Bibliograph

Sources!

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accounting"'.Uo()*+,)z*#

http!""###.accountanc age.com"aa"feature"++-./.0"%aa p%+1/0%modern%accountants%

people%#ho%thin&%differentl

http!""strategiccfo.com"#i&icfo"the%future%of%the%accounting%#or&force%+"