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getting better

Don't want to jinx myself, but I think I realized yesterday why I'm starting to get used to this job, and it's not just the stockholm syndrome and the recession. Okay, maybe those are the primary factors. But the funny thing about this field, is that the higher you advance within the firm, the less you audit. For instance, say I see an asset balance of a few million. Usually, it would mean choosing the significant balances, asking the client for invoices, making sure it matches the balances, verifying that it's been paid in certain instances, etc. etc. etc. On top of that, I'd have to foot the darn schedule. Now, all I need to do is say this: "This is what I'd like you to do"...walk him or her through it..and be done. It's a beautiful thing.

A partner once asked me three years ago if I liked it so far. After essentially saying no, I decided to turn the tables and ask him since I wanted to get off the hot seat. He said he tolerated it. Another manager once told me he hated auditing, but loved accounting. Obviously, back then, I was a little confused as to why they were still doing this. Now, I'm starting to understand that you can still dislike auditing but not mind being an auditor. What should we call this? The ladder theory? The audit illusion theory? And for those who love what they're doing as staff associates. Well, good for you, and I hope to have you in our team.
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Comments

Anonymous said…
I call it the joy of delegation. :)

That's why co-ops are awesome - when it's new, everything's exciting - everyone wins.
March 28, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Anonymous said…
check out your feeds...I can't subscribe, thanks!
March 29, 2009 at 12:29 AM
notfordisplay said…
All the feeds are set appropriately. Not sure why it's not working.
March 29, 2009 at 7:22 AM
Francine McKenna said…
I swear to you I did not see this post and your mention of Stockholm Syndrome before I wrote my most recent one. Glad to see I'm not that extreme and that intelligent, dedicated, and intellectually critical employees of the Big 4 recognize the danger of buying into the story too much. Thanks for the link on the 8th. You have a great readership! I'm getting lots of referrals. Call or write anytime.

Regards,
Francine
April 11, 2009 at 10:14 AM
notfordisplay said…
Appreciate it. I did notice the stockholm syndrome comment, but, it's so obvious once you look at it from the outside,that any reasonable person would recognize this syndrome in our profession. PS - here's where I first mentioned it:
http://lifeofanauditor.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html#832255606301885309
April 11, 2009 at 11:41 AM
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