This is the third part in a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I and Part II before continuing.
“What’s an accountant?”
Anne looked down to see two brown eyes looking up at her, the face containing them wide and open as it waited for an answer.
“I heard my mom say you’re an accountant. What’s that?”
Anne struggled for a minute to find a way to explain it in terms a child would understand. “An accountant is someone who helps other people and companies manage their money so they can make more money.”
Rather than the blank stare she was expecting, Anne was surprised to see the big brown eyes grow even larger. “You make people rich!”
Anne laughed. “Not exactly, but I do help those who are on their way to becoming rich get richer, and I help those who are already rich stay rich … and in some cases get richer.”
“Does that mean you’re rich?”
Anne cocked her head as she deliberated the best way to answer that. “That’s a relative term. I suppose by some people’s standards I’m rich.”
“I’m going to be SUPER rich when I grow up!” The kid flung her arms out wide to indicate all the large piles of money she would have.
“Really? And how are you going to get so rich?”
“I’m going to make lots of money and I’m going to hire lots of accountants like you so you can make more money for me.”
“That sounds like a very sensible plan. I’ll be sure to keep some time in my schedule available just for you, so you can call me when you’re ready.”
“You’d better. I’m going to give you SO much work to do! And you’re going to make SO much money for me!” She flung her arms out wide again each time she said “so”.
Anne couldn’t help giggling at the kid’s enthusiasm and conviction she would one day be rich. Why couldn’t more of her conversations with adults about her job go so well?
The end.