Letters to the Editor

I read your editorial with interest ("Should accounting save the world?" September 2014, page 3). I agree accountants have a lot to offer in addressing the world's key problems, particularly climate change. After all, aren't we the "facts" guys who are not blinded by unsubstantiated opinions and assertions? ... Unfortunately, I have seen little evidence of the accounting profession in North America being prepared to enter public policy debates on key issues other than those that affect us very directly.

John Simke

Learning Experiences

 

Of course we should do more. Accountants are milquetoasts and afraid of confrontation, embarrassment, or pushback on ideas that they don't broadly assimilate.

Michael Knight

Knight Rolleri Sheppard CPAs

Fairfield, Conn.

 

Accountants have historically been the bean counters who serve at the will of the leaders. Required to report, we have rarely made our opinions known beyond the audit letter. That needs to change. We have the data, we can interpret the data, and we should more boldly give direction to our organizations and the world.

Ron Houp

Senior vice president, GO InterNational

Wilmore, Ky.

 

It is clear that accountants need to speak up. Accountants need to mentor/teach the public the fundamentals of income and expense. This knowledge is lacking in our society, especially in relation to entitlements.

So in answer to your question, Should we step up? -- Yes, we should.

The next question is -- how should we step up?

Tim Metz

Controller, Shin-Etsu MicroSi Inc.

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