Citation
Evans, S. (2006), "Literature and insights", Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Vol. 19 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aaaj.2006.05919faa.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Literature and insights
A critic for the Times newspaper claimed that an art show promised “to be the most dull exhibition yet staged by the Serpentine…As a cultural experience, this could probably rank with snuggling up on a sofa with the latest copy of Understanding Your Tax Code” (Rachel Campbell-Johnston, “We were only being boring”, 24th January 2006). Tax law may not be a very compelling or suspenseful read but I am extremely grateful that my own accountant slogs through it on my behalf. Actually, he is an art-wise person, and always considerate enough not to tell me how the story ends. I gave up reading tax legislation when I left accounting, but I wonder whether it would have a wider audience if it were to be repackaged as a quasi-fantasy novel in three parts with a title like Understanding Your Da Vinci Tax Code. There could be t-shirts, and a movie too. Probably not.
We know what Campbell-Johnston was getting at, though. So, why do some people, when they want to present a lack-lustre character in a story, pick on accountants? Where is their imagination? Well, we might not normally associate accounting or auditing with life and death battles against hideous monsters in virtual space, or daring escapades in the Great Hall of Depreciable Assets, but is it really such a quiet life? After all, one has to contend with the internal factions of the office, the rumbling discontent of an occasional rogue client, the strategic manoeuvres required to advance one’s career – that is plenty of dramatic potential right there.
Distinguished poet, Andrew Taylor, has chronicled the career highlights of one man who saw it all, Dan Synergy. In the poem sequence below, you will discover how our “hero” deals with consultants, office rivalry, workload and domestic woes. If you are offended by coarse language, look away – there are one or two vulgarities, though you will doubtless have heard and read them many times elsewhere.
As always, your contributions to this section of the journal are most welcome.
Steve EvansLiterary Editor