Questioning the field of Accounting

Six months ago, things were pretty bad
When my review came knocking, I surely wasn’t mad
As weeks transpired, nothing came to rest
After all, I was far from reaching crest

My mind to the grindstone things were looking up
Funds rolling in, yet it was I holding the empty cup
Perhaps it was my attire that I would soon need to oppose
With one door closed, an opportunity arose

Don’t you worry, things happen for a reason
Soon enough, I’ll be entering another stress tax season
For the time being, stress free, able to count some sheep
Question I have, as an accountant, am I in way too deep?

Confidence

STAND UP STRAIGHT

MAKE EYE CONTACT

LEAN SLIGHTLY FORWARD

FIRM HANDSHAKE

SMILE

CHEESE!

Good Enough

Employees are provided a competitive compensation and benefits package which generally includes:

Medical & Dental insurance
Flexible spending accounts
Vision plan
Life / AD&D insurance
Supplemental Life insurance option
Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance
Employee Assistance Program (provides confidential counseling and referral services)
Vacation
Maternity/Paternity leave of absence
Childcare/Eldercare Services
Paid Holidays
Tuition Reimbursement/Educational Assistance Program
401(k)/Profit sharing plan
Parking/Commuting Reimbursement
Employee stock purchase plan

As you were

Compensation/benefits drives individual behavior. Francona is looking at incentives for leading the Redsox into the World Series, twice in a four year span. When the game is on the line, the coach is ulimately responsible for winning or losing. Take Tom Brady. A second string quarterback, who continues to get better as years go by. Is part of it the experience of Bill Belichick, or perhaps the time Brady endures to study his opposition and improve on his weakenesses. In reaching a 16-0 season, Brady mentioned, "Every game, one step at a time...Playing Philadelphia, we weren't focused on the Colts...When we played the Colts, we did not look back on what we did against Philadelphia. Wait, we won that game?" Records broken, memories relived. More importantly, rewards are compensated on performance. Beckett, a 20 game winner, will definitely be reviewed prior to next years salary allocation. Others, well, things just didn't work out.

In today’s world, there is no such thing as job security. Five months or two years. Everyone is dispensable. As long as you are physically and mentally able to complete a task or perform a function, you may still have a job. If you are in a job that you are not challenged, everyday on the edge of your seat, you aren’t in the right position. It’s like the saying, “live everyday as if it were your last”. Tomorrow, you may be unemployed. What about..., that was yesterday, what did you do today, and more importantly, tomorrow?

Attitude reflects leadership. There is no "I in team", but there is a "U in us". Roger Clemens to Pedro Martinez to Josh Beckett. Each at a different point in their career, some at prime, others past their mark. However, they too were in the rotation as a relief pitcher or fourth in the rotation. With experience, they have earned the recognition of being viewed as an "ace". It just doesn't happen overnight. Then again sports are sports.

Toppers

In Boston "Best of Boston 2007",

"A quick ferry ride from Straight Wharf drops Sunday gourmands at the Wauwinet, where the garden at the inn's restaurant, Topper's, isn't just for show".

"In the hours before the brunch rush, chef David Daniels...can be seen plucking herbs for his refined recipes...".

"Elegant yet comfortable banquettes and sweeping views of Nantucket Sound have encouraged many a brunch...sometimes all the way until dinner."

Guide to Nantucket

Nantucket

Architecture

"Architecturally speaking, most historic homes on Nantucket are built in a lean-to style"

Astrology

"The Nantucket sky provides astronomers with one of the best views of space on earth"

Calendar/Events

"The Nantucket Arts Festival takes place in October"

"March on Nantucket is affectionately called 'Hate Month' after enduring winter on the island"

Clothing

"Whale pants are a common, but unfortunate sight on Nantucket"

Food/Wine

http://www.nantucketfoodandwine.com/

"Nantucket's best burgers are at the Brotherhood, but watch your head on the way in"

Geography

"There are two adjoining islands to Nantucket: Tuckermuck and Musketget"

Information

"When looking for a place to live, or anything else on Nantucket, the bulletin board at the Hub might be your best bet"

"Pacific National Bank at the top of Main Street always has water and treats for visiting dogs"

Interesting Facts

"At one time, Nantucket had seven streets named Atlantic Avenue"

"The oldest living Nantucket resident is given the Boston Post Cane, an award they hold until their passing"

"Nantucket was the 3rd town in America to have an Historical District Commission"

"Nantucketeters moving to the mainland in the 18th century often disassembled their island homes and took them along off island"

"Cranberries were first cultivated on Nantucket in 1857"

Mascots/Animals

"The Cormorant bird is said to be Nantucket's official greeter"

"The piping plover, a small sandy-colored bird, is endangered and can be seen on Nantucket"

"For outstanding bird watching, go to Long Pond on Nantucket"

Tourism

"The oldest home on Nantucket is the Jethro Coffin House, built in 1686"

"Nantucket's Whaling Museum first opened in the summer of 1930"



Courtesy of Nantucket Nectars

Feel them Out

As a colleague of mine and I discussed the latest chapter in my book, he described the difference between a permanent and temporary position. With the understanding, I immediately compared it to a relationship.

" A date is simply a date" You aren't signing into a one-year agreement, nor do you have to spend the rest of your life with this person. It's more like a tenant at will but instead of having to give a months notice, you can simply walk away at any given time.

Out of college, a candidate is often looking for a job to jump start their career. Consider this a "first love". What is the probability that they will stay with that job long term? Well, factoring the individual, the job, the location, the chances are as slim to none. They will always remember their "first love".

What worked? What didn't? Certaintly the individual becomes a little bit more selective in the job search. Instead of jumping into a relationship, they may want to "feel" a company out as "temporary" and after a period of time, discuss the future and growth between the individual and the company, as well as the company and its market. Would a company be more interested in hiring a 50 yr old or a 26 year old. Productivity would lean towards youth, but with principles and knowledge, age would be the likely candidate.

See Rules of Corporate

Corporate Lessons

"Give a man a fish, he can eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he can eat for a lifetime"
Play well with others
Obey and respect chain of command
When uncertain, ask for clarification
Expect the unexpected
Remain un-biased, leaving personal emotions at home

So, what does that all mean?

On third and ten, you’re the Quarterback. Your team is down by 5 and the directive is given from the coach for a pass play down the side to one of your top receivers. You know it’s the wrong call, so you call a timeout.

“Coach, there’s 20 seconds left, I know if I pass the ball to the rookie down the middle, he’ll catch it in the end zone”.

There’s no room for error, protect the ball, look for your open man, and make a spiral throw to the receiver along the side, hopefully they catch it, and make it out of bounds to save time on the clock.

You run back onto the field, you call a different play, and the ball is snapped. You look right, you look left; wide receivers are open. You turn back to the middle, throw your arm back and launch the “Hail Mary” to your rookie. You’re rookie breaks, is at the 10, at the 5, touchdown! The fans go wild, you congratulate your teammate; the coach keeps his composure. The extra point doesn’t matter. Team wins!

After the game, you are benched for insubordination.