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It's all about keeping up with technology and the extra workload that comes with it. Yes it saves time somewhere but, because of the extra information it produces, will cause extra time elsewhere. Basically the grass isn't greener on the other side, just greener in different parts. Until we have the workforce that is flexible enough to handle this then we up the creek without a paddle.
So no surprise.
Most finance people don't like saying no so end up with all sorts dropped in their department because it doesn't fit precisely in any other department. I ended up leaving my FD job because I spent less than a quarter of my time dealing with finance that's my first love (sad I know...)
I'm now back as a financial controller but still getting haunted by new fads like GDPR and I'm sure once that has bedded in there will be something else that no one knows how to deal with so it lands in finance's lap...
"There are no hard and fast rules with taking on added responsibilities but it comes down to being a professional and being professionally competent enough to carry out the roles you’re being asked to undertake. "
As qualified accountants, we understand that. But trying saying "No" in a workplace.... these days there would be consequences to refusing the unallocated job to do.
Having worked in senior finance/commercial roles in both large-cap and SMEs I know the stresses and strains of both. I love SMEs - everything that gets done is done because you and your team achieve it; but there is no place to hide when things don't go to plan. I knew as I moved through exams and then my career that I wanted to go down the "grey" world of wider commerce and business, as opposed to the more technical world of areas such as corporate reporting. But, I do agree, there are days when we are all stepping outside our comfort zones - I try to limit mine to only 5 days a week! - but experience, professionalism, Google and resilience are all invaluable tools, no matter which "stream" we go down. Admitting to yourself and others sometimes, when you don't know everything, in my book, is a great strength, and not a weakness!
Accountants get the extra jobs because they tend to be versatile, disciplined, have great attention to detail and act in a professional manner whatever they are doing.
In practice this exposure to such a diverse range is how they are the trusted business advisor to business.
I loved the variety of work while in industry. In various roles I have had the following managers/teams reporting to me: finance (of course), quality (ISO9000 etc) and data protection, IT (including Y2K responsibility), reception, property maintenance, health and safety, environmental policy (ISO11000 etc), HR and others I can’t remember without checking my CV. Most of it consists of hiring good people and letting them get on with their job.
The role of a Finance Director is much more about strategy and running the company than debits and credits. As such it very different from the role of a management accountant and doesn’t suit everybody.