In my first five months with Accounting Today, I've discovered a trend among many accounting professionals.
It's not earth-shattering, but for someone with a network of "creative-type" friends whose tax days culminate in a pile of W-2s from various bars and receipts for items such as tubs of apple sauce and a kiddie pool (to be presented in tandem), my personal mental connection between number-crunchers and artists was limited to those few months of the year when H&R Block would start replacing Grassroots Tavern as the popular check-in on mobile location app FourSquare.
I underestimated the deeper connection between number dexterity and creativity, that aspirational symmetry between left and right brain function.
As I started speaking with Accounting Today contributors, Accounting Tomorrow bloggers, and accountants, this manifested in the discussion of various extra-cubicle activities, hobbies and work-in-progress autobiographies.
People are inquisitive about my writing career, only to share stories about their own. I've seen creativity in viral videos, like those from the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs humorously referencing classic movies. At my first conference for the magazine, those of us in attendance were treated to a CPA's stand-up comedy set during cocktail hour.
As someone who cheered when my college advisor told me I would never have to venture near a math lecture hall to attain my journalism degree, I'm constantly impressed with people who easily juggle data analysis and a turn of phrase, stroke of paintbrush or punch of the line.
I would love to hear more about the pursuits of Accounting Tomorrow readers outside of the office. E-mail us your videos, published writing, photography or personal blogs, and we will start spotlighting submissions on Facebook.
Jarred fruit purees optional.
- Danielle Lee
