#42 Relying on the Internet for Answers
Jul 7th, 2009 by pfi
Accountants know the answer to everything, provided that everything first shows up in the first few results of a Google search.
Accountants rely on web search for everything. Financial ratios, stock quotes, exchange rates, press releases, and lunch spots – everything is a click away.
Since Google is the current reigning market leader, we can just assume that accountants Google for everything. Google is pretty much the ultimate resource.
The amazing thing about Google is that it allows accountants to answer seemingly obscure yet basic questions. Accountants don’t need to have a copy of every tax form, excel template, or printer driver as these are all a search away. If somebody asks an accountant about Excel formatting, all an accountant has to do is type in the original question word for word in Google, and the accountant gets the answer.
For resources like accounting pronouncements, Google may not actually be the source for the best answer. Accountants sometimes have to rely on (gasp) company databases for the unimportant stuff: SABs, TPAs, company guidance, etc.
It’s also important to note that while college students use Wikipedia, accountants love Wikipedia.
It’s a good thing the internet was invented or accountants would be stuck working in an environment without Facebook, Twitter, or Youtube.