WHO IS AN ACCOUNTER? DEFINITION

In English, an “accounter” is someone who gives an account of something. The word “accounter” is the agentive noun derived from the verb “to account”. Thus, an accounter is someone who gives a description, whether of events or of other kinds of information. “Accounter” could be considered a synonym of the word “accountant”. “Accountant” is the usual word for a person who gives an unified “account” of financial records. “Accounter”, although not the most common word for a person who gives a unified “account” of financial records, could be taken to mean the same thing as “accountant”.

Who is an Accountant?

An accountant is someone who gives a unified account of financial records. Accountants are trained and certified professionals. The practice of giving unified accounts of financial records is called “accounting”. Accounting is the discipline of accountants. Anyone who gives a unified account of financial records is practicing accounting.

What Does an Accountant Do?

Accountants give unified accounts of financial records. Accountants take the information contained in financial books and compile it systematically. Accountants undertake the systematic compilation of financial records according to set rules. The rules that accountants follow in compiling financial records are the backbone of the accounting profession. Failure to follow the rules of accounting can result in severe problems and even legal penalties.

What’s the Difference Between Accountants and Bookkeepers?

Bookkeepers keep financial books. Accountants use the financial books that bookkeepers keep compiling financial statements. Accountants prepare standardized financial statements using the books kept by bookkeepers. Accounting would be impossible without the punctilious efforts of effective bookkeepers. Punctilious bookkeeping is useless without the generalizing and standardizing powers of accountants.

Is Bookkeeping Same Thing as Accounting? Bookkeeping vs. Accounting

Bookkeeping refers to the keeping of financial books. Financial books are the records that accountants use to compile financial statements. Bookkeeping can be considered part of accounting. Bookkeeping has to do with recording the day-to-day transactions of a business. Accounting has to do with unifying the records of a company’s day-to-day transactions into a standardized format that can be used for legal and investment purposes.

The Roles: Bookkeeper vs Accountant

Bookkeepers and accountants have different roles, as we’ve seen. The role of the bookkeeper is to keep accurate record of the transactions in which a company engages on a day-to-day basis. The books that bookkeepers keep are the basis of the work that accountants undertake. The work that accountants undertake is to unify and synthesize the records of daily transactions kept by bookkeepers. The unified and synthesized products prepared by accountants are employed for the purpose of giving standardized accounts of a company’s financial health. The standardized accounts produced by accountants are useful for presentations to investors and for paying taxes to avoid the long arm of the state.

Should a Bookkeeper Have Any Credentials?

Bookkeeping generally requires fewer credentials in comparison to accounting. Professional bookkeepers often have a college diploma. Professional bookkeepers may also earn bookkeeping certificates to showcase their knowledge and abilities. Yet some bookkeepers may have neither a college diploma nor a bookkeeping certificate. These bookkeepers rely upon the experience they have gained in order to perform their work professionally.

What Are Most Common Accounting Credentials?

Accounting generally requires more credentials in comparison to bookkeeping. Both a college diploma in accounting and a professional certification are generally required to practice accounting professionally. Many accountants also have specialized credentials. The specialized credentials that accountants may have include master’s degrees in specific areas of accounting. The most common accounting certification is Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Specialized accountant credentials may also include certifications in specific areas of accounting such as Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), and Certified in Financial Forensics. Accountants who specialize in taxation can be IRS Enrolled Agent (EA). To be an Enrolled Agent and able to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service by either passing a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individual and business tax returns, or through experience as a former IRS employee.

Meaning of Accounter

Many people refer to accountant(s) by using the word “accounter”. Over the course of the history languages evolve and people use same words to express different things.