Deception

The life of an accountant[1. In this context, we will refer to all accountants in different fields/practices as accountants, including general accountants, auditors, tax practitioners, finance, etc. ] is boring. Let me tell you why:

We have seen blockbuster movies telling stories about the lives of lawyers, doctors, military and police personnel, sales people, and even stock brokers. But how many movies have you seen that feature the main character playing the role of an accountant?

Not too many, right? That is, if you can remember one at all. The life of an accountant is so dull that scriptwriters can hardly think of an interesting storyline about it.

However, in the 2008 movie, “Deception“, starring Ewan McGregor (as Jonathan McQuarry), Hugh Jackman (as Wyatt Bose), and Michelle Williams (as S):

An accountant is introduced to a mysterious sex club known as The List by his lawyer friend. But in this new world, he soon becomes the prime suspect in a woman’s disappearance and a multi-million dollar heist.

Source: IMDB

Ewan McGregor played the role of an Audit Manager for a fictional accounting firm “Worth & Berman”. Yet, the movie paints a typical accountant/auditor as living a boring life, working late most of the times, zero social life, and a monotonous home-work-home routine. I believe the movie even portrays accounting as not-so-lucrative profession.

Moreover, the movie could only convey a lame “artistic” or “figurative” description of the work of accountants as ORDER and SYMMETRY, with the dialogues that go:

Wyatt Bose: So you like your work?
Jonathan McQuarry: I do. The order of it appeals to me. The symmetry. It’s alright, I guess, if you like workin’ with numbers. Do you like being a lawyer?
Wyatt Bose: It’s alright, I guess, if you like workin’ with assholes.

Jim Winter: What do you do?
Jonathan McQuarry: I’m an accountant.
Jim Winter: Do you like it?
Jonathan McQuarry: I love it. Numbers know how to behave, right?
Jim Winter: Sure.
Jonathan McQuarry: Order and symmetry. What else could a man need?

O, come on! How on earth did “order” and “symmetry” relate to accounting? It’s even nowhere near the official description, as we were taught in schools. They just couldn’t get it right!

Nevertheless, this movie is a must-watch for all accountants. And, the life of an accountant is boring!

No Comments

edwin b. November 20, 2011 Reply

I have read about this movie before it was released. I would say the movie is half accurate. It portrayed the activities typical of an accountant. But I am not surprised they didn’t get the right description of what we do. Only accountants understand accountants! Hehe!

deuts November 20, 2011 Reply

You should watch it. I have a copy I can lend you!

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