from “the office” to “parks and recreation,” listen in on how tv and movies shape our view of accountants.
accounting arc
with liz mason, byron patrick, and donny shimamoto.
center for accounting transformation
accountants are often depicted in popular culture in ways that range from humorous to downright exaggerated. in a recent episode of arc, hosts liz mason, cpa; byron patrick, cpa.citp, cgma; and donny shimamoto, cpa.citp, cgma, delve into these portrayals, discussing their favorite fictional accountants and the stereotypes that come with them.
patrick, vice president of client success at the b3 method institute, starts the conversation with “the office,” where characters like oscar, kevin, and angela offer a comedic take on the profession. “the beauty of ‘the office’ is in its exaggerated realism,” patrick explains. angela’s strict, by-the-book approach and kevin’s more laid-back attitude reflect common perceptions of accountants. “they were the butt of many jokes, but also some of my favorite accountants to watch,” he adds.
mason, founder and ceo of high rock accounting, shifts the focus to “parks and recreation,” highlighting ben wyatt and chris traeger. these characters, sent as auditors to save a struggling city, embody the dual nature of accounting work: precise and sometimes harsh, yet fundamentally about helping others. “ben wyatt’s fact-based approach contrasts beautifully with chris traeger’s optimism,” mason notes, appreciating how the show captures the complexity of the profession.
shimamoto, founder and managing director of intraprisetechknowlogies llc and founder of the center for accounting transformation, adds floqast’s “pbc” series on youtube, a niche comedy that resonates with those familiar with auditing. “it’s over-the-top but hilariously true to some experiences,” shimamoto says. he acknowledges that while such portrayals might seem extreme, they highlight real aspects of the profession.
patrick also mentions louis tully from “ghostbusters,” an often-overlooked accountant character. “he didn’t do much accounting on-screen, but he’s one of my favorites,” he admits. his comments open the door for mason to share a personal connection, reminiscing about her father’s involvement in the film’s financing and the real-life inspiration behind some of its settings.
a key theme in the podcast is the trust placed in accountants. “people confide in us because they see us as trustworthy,” shimamoto observes. despite stereotypes, the profession’s reputation for confidentiality and ethical behavior remains strong.
“we need more shows that reflect the true complexity and excitement of our work,” mason suggests, envisioning dramas centered around forensic accounting and financial investigations.
the hosts conclude asking listeners to share their favorite pop culture accounting references to hopefully foster a broader understanding of the vital role accountants play in both fiction and reality.
7 key takeaways
- shows like “the office” exaggerate accountant stereotypes but reflect some real traits.
- “parks and recreation” showcases different accountant personalities, from fact-based to people-oriented.
- floqast’s “pbc” series humorously captures the quirks of auditing.
- characters like louis tully from “ghostbusters” bring humor to the profession.
- accountants are often seen as trustworthy confidants, especially in real life.
- as pop culture influences public perception of accountants, the hosts call for more diverse and accurate portrayals of accountants in media.
- despite stereotypes, accountants take pride in their work and ethical standards.
2 responses to “accountants in pop culture: myths, realities, and stereotypes – accounting arc”
ron baker
here’s a good list from the jofa: https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2005/oct/lightscameraaccountants.html
by far, the best is the the crimson permanent assurance (1983) sail “the wide accountantcy,” monty python’s short film about accountants who start a mutiny and turn pirates when one of their own is discharged. it’s a story of the old regime versus the new corporate order. it was the opening short to monty python’s movie, “meaning of life,” and actually makes a brief re-appearance in that movie.
the movie carnal knowledge (anne margaret, jack nicholson, etc.), i believe nicholson played an accountant.
and, little known, but true, ward cleaver was an accountant (though it is never said on the show), but that was his official occupation per the writers and cast.
donny shimamoto
thanks for sharing the list ron! omg, monty python, i didn’t know about that one–hilarious!
thanks for contributing to some of the additional pop culture references. if i knew you were so well versed in this we would have had you as a guest for this episode!