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Buy an accountant a coffee this International Accountants Day

CPA Australia

8 November 2024

Buy an accountant a coffee this International Accountants Day

Accountants play a fundamental role in the success, stability and sustainability of companies, financial markets and the economies of entire countries and continents.

We also play a vital role in the local communities that we serve, and we love a good coffee.

So, this International Accountants Day (November 10), why not buy an accountant a coffee to say ‘good job’ in helping to keep the economic wheels of the nation turning, as well as just being all-round awesome people.

November 10 is a Sunday, so any time over the next week will be fine, thanks.

For Liz Shimmin FCPA, CEO of Melbourne-based Bluebird Accounting, it’s an almond latte… but each to their own!

Nothing shows appreciation like a free cuppa, but for Liz her job satisfaction comes from helping her clients and the community she serves to meet their financial goals and happiness.

“Accountants are not boring! It’s a career that creates the ability for me to help others. Each day I have the privilege of helping our clients to make empowered and informed decisions, ultimately the knowledge and education we pass on helps create a happy and healthy community,” she says.

“The great thing about our profession is that we are equipped with the expertise and skills to support others and create new opportunities. We’re great at listening, guiding and problem solving.

“I get out of bed every day knowing that I am in a position to make someone else’s day better, to help out and lead with integrity and purpose. Having the knowledge and skill set of a CPA is a privilege and supporting others to succeed is hugely rewarding.”

Accountants don’t just work as accountants

Professional accountants, including CPAs, can be found in a much wider variety of jobs than you may realise. That’s because training as an accountant equips you with the skills and experience that can open up all sorts of career doors.

We love our public practice accountants who support individuals and businesses with their traditional accounting, taxation, audit and consultancy services. But accountants can be found in many other senior roles, including the following:

• Founder of a start-up: Accountants often apply their expert financial and commercial knowledge in starting new companies. Strong business acumen and strategic vision comes with the territory – accountants are great at helping businesses realise their potential, including their own.
• Chief Financial Officer: Accountants can be great leaders, especially when it comes to managing finances. CFOs are responsible for the financial health of an organisation and experienced accountants with the right personal skills are well-placed to take on the responsibility.
• Counter-terrorism Financial Investigator: Forensic accounting is exciting enough, but what investigating the financial enablers of terrorism? Financial experts are needed to solve mysteries at the highest level of government and law enforcement, and a career in accounting makes you a great candidate.
• Environmental Accountant: The challenges of climate change means you can take a green approach to career progression. Environmental accountants ensure their organisation is meeting its compliance obligations, but also play a leadership role in making it as socially responsible and profitable as possible. 
• Strategic Procurement Manager: The masterminds behind a company’s negotiations and deal-making success, procurement managers require the kind of strategic mindset, supplier knowledge, negotiation skills and ability to manage complex contracts that accountants bring to the table.

So, whichever type of accountant you know, buy them a coffee and make their day.

(We’re just having a bit of fun with this to highlight the amazing work accountants do, you don’t have to take it literally – unless you want to, in which case, make it a large!)

Picture caption: Liz Shimmin, CEO of Bluebird Accounting, enjoys a coffee with her client, Paul Tulip, Founder and Director of recruitment consultancy Yorkshire Bridge.

About us:

About CPA Australia   

CPA Australia is Australia’s leading professional accounting body and one of the largest in the world. We have more than 173,000 members in over 100 countries and regions. Our core services include education, training, technical support and advocacy. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on local, national and international issues affecting the accounting profession and public interest. We engage with governments, regulators and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes. Find out more at cpaaustralia.com.au

Contact details:

Simon Downes, External Affairs Lead, simon.downes@cpaaustralia.com.au or 0401 461 503