September 2002

Trade School

Edwin J. Kliegman’s letter to the editor in the July 2002 issue of The Trusted Professional is substantially correct in my opinion in its reasoning: “Preparation for becoming a business person comes with practical experience in the field.” However, most accounting graduates have been earning a ‘trade school’ degree. Too much technical knowledge is needed and has been needed in the past to become an accountant. Accountants need to be more than good technicians. They need also to be “people person(s).” (Here I agree with Mr. Kliegman.) Accountants need more quality time to be more rounded people by studying psychology, sociology, communication, great literature, leadership, history, etc. Therefore, they need more time in universities. The 150-hour requirement is the only answer today to expanding their horizons.

Personally, when I was a midshipman studying at the U.S. Naval Academy, we called it the ‘trade school.’ And the U.S. Navy sent most of us off to graduate schools after our four years at the Academy. Times have changed.

Cordially,
Richard Glickman, CPA
NYSSCPA Member