Text 5 what should a modern accountant be like?

Exercise 5.1

Study the vocabulary:

1. solution	1. рішення (проблеми і. т.д.)
2. current	2. поточний
3. horizon on the horizon	3. горизонт; на горизонті
4. urgent	4. терміновий; настійний, наполегливий
5. a poll to conduct a poll	5. опитування; соціологічне дослідження; проводити соціологічне опитування
6. to reveal	6. виявляти; відкривати
7. controller assistant controller(A.C.)	7. контролер, головний бухгалтер – контролер; замісник головного бухгалтера – контролера
8. the latter the former	8. останній, інший (з двох перерахованих); перший (перший) з перерахованих
9. concise	9. стислий, скорочений
10. favour in favour of	10. підтримка, допомога; на користь когось, чогось

Exercise 5.2 Match the words with their meanings:

1. solution	a) перший з перерахованих
2. current	b) підтримка, допомога
3. urgent	c) останній, інший (з двох перерахованих)
4. a poll	d) виявляти; відкривати
5. to reveal	e) опитування; соціологічне дослідження
6. controller	f) терміновий; настійний, наполегливий
7. the latter	g) контролер, головний бухгалтер – контролер
8. the former	h) рішення (проблеми і. т.д.)
9. concise	i) стислий, скорочений
10. favour	j) поточний

Exercise 5.3

Read and translate the text:

In all countries of the world the complexity of economic activity is gradually growing. And this, in its turn, leads to an increasingly important role of accounting as a function of economic management. At present the necessity of improving accounting through raising its operational utility and quality is regarded as one of the most important tasks.

The main condition for the solution of this task is improving the quality of accounting personnel. To attract able young people to the study of accounting, to raise its prestige and demonstrate its importance is an urgent task in many countries of the world.

What do accountants think of the current state of accounting education? How well are students prepared for the profession? What changes are on the horizon and will these changes produce better educated accountants? To answer these questions a poll was conducted in the USA.

A lot of the US professionals have been asked to share their views on these issues and to comment on the value of accountancy programmes. In all about 140 accountants have been interviewed. Their positions ranged from higher level management accountants to assistant controllers. The interviews revealed that the majority favoured radical reconstruction of accounting education. All agreed that there should be new programmes setting the foundation for understanding all aspects of accounting. Most respondents were concerned with the fact that the majority of accounting graduates lack computer skills and oral and written communication skills. Several respondents stated that inadequate computer skills are becoming more noticeable as the demand for computer knowledge grows. Many respondents emphasised that the lack of good communication skills is the most serious deficiency of graduates. Students in accounting are sure to submit short papers to develop writing skills because as future managers they must be able to write concise reports. Other respondents dealt with personality characteristics of the graduates. Many respondents indicated that graduates lack self-motivation and enthusiasm. Some stated that graduates have a lack of common sense.

Many spoke in favour of strong conceptual over a practical approach to learning because understanding concepts is critical to coping with the dynamic nature of accounting problems. All academics (78%) agree that there should be additional emphasis on conceptual knowledge. However accounting managers favoured a practical approach as did most low level participants.

Exercise 5.4

Read the text again and choose the best variant:

1. In all countries of the world the complexity of economic activity…

1. is gradually growing.

2. is gradually declining.

3. is practically the same.

2) At present the necessity of improving accounting is regarded as…

a) one of the least important tasks.

b) the last task.

c) one of the most important tasks.

3) An urgent task in many countries of the world is…

a) to attract able young people to the study of cybernetics.

b) to attract able young people to the study of accounting.

c) to attract able young people to the study of national traditions.

4) The interviews revealed that the majority favoured…

a) radical reconstruction of accounting education.

b) slight reconstruction of accounting education.

c) no reconstruction of accounting education.

5) Many respondents indicated that graduates lack…

a) self registering and enthusiasm.

b) sense of humor and enthusiasm.

c) self-motivation and enthusiasm.

Exercise 5.5

Fill in the gaps. Then read and translate:

1. enadequate - недостатній

2. deficiency - нестача

deficiency reports computer skills managers communication inadequate accounting

Most respondents were concerned with the fact that the majority of accounting graduates lack …1… and oral and written …2… skills. Several respondents stated that …3… computer skills are becoming more noticeable as the demand for computer knowledge grows. Many respondents emphasised that the lack of good communication skills is the most serious …4…of graduates. Students in …5… are sure to submit short papers to develop writing skills because as future …6…they must be able to write concise …7… .

Exercise 5.6

Read the text again to find out which of the following statements are correct:

1. In Eastern Europe the complexity of economic activity is gradually growing.

2. At present the necessity of improving accounting through raising its operational utility and quality is regarded as one of the most important tasks.

3. The main condition for the solution of this task is improving the quality of accounting computer programs.

4. In all about 140 accountants have been interviewed.

5. The interviews revealed that the majority favored radical reconstruction of accounting education.

6. Most respondents were concerned with the fact that the majority of accounting graduates have excellent computer skills and oral and written communication skills.

7. Many respondents emphasised that the lack of good communication skills is the most serious deficiency of graduates.

8. Many respondents indicated that graduates are self-motivated and full of enthusiasm.

Exercise 5.7

Read the text again and put the sentences into a chronological order:

1. The positions of respondents ranged from higher level management accountants to assistant controllers.

2. Several respondents stated that inadequate computer skills are becoming more noticeable as the demand for computer knowledge grows.

3. At present the necessity of improving accounting through raising its operational utility and quality is regarded as one of the most important tasks.

4. A lot of the US professionals have been asked to share their views on these issues and to comment on the value of accountancy programmes.

5. However accounting managers favoured a practical approach as did most low level participants.

6. To attract able young people to the study of accounting, to raise its prestige and demonstrate its importance is an urgent task in many countries of the world.