You cannot deny the chaotic beauty of Twitter. There's something oddly soothing watching millions of voices shout into the void with little regard for who will be listening. Hashtags provide some method to the madness, yet each retains its own flavor of ridiculous.
In the accounting world, I've noticed 3 hashtags emerge: #auditorproud, #BusySeasonProblems and #taxissexy. It's worth exploring each of these in detail so that accounting professionals know where they can best contribute to the mess. Let's begin.
#AuditorProud — This hashtag debuted late last year when special interests decided that auditor pride was in too short of supply on social media. I reckon it has something to do with all the verbal abuse they've had to endure from clients over the years. Anyway, #AuditorProud has something for everyone.
The sincere:
Independent, objective and fair is how we do #auditorproud #pwc
— Tim Ryan (@Timothy_F_Ryan) February 9, 2016
The silly:
Serenaded my team with some Hero by @enriqueiglesias today. #publicaccounting #weveallgonecrazyalready #SOS #itsonlyfebruary #auditorproud?
— Jen (@JenLebiedz) February 8, 2016
The sad:
God I can't wait to go home and cry. #auditorproud
— MFAM (@mfambloggette) February 8, 2016
The #SMH:
Thanks @EY_CareersUS for the selfie stick! Twitter #auditorproud pic.twitter.com/AjNdjtkhtn
— Carrie Barton-Garten (@carriegarten) January 13, 2016
#AuditorProud can't be beat in terms of its pure randomness.
You should be using #AuditorProud if you are:
A) An auditor;
B) Proud of A;
C) Sad about B.
#BusySeasonProblems — The original hashtag for accounting professionals. Busy season problems are so widespread that they inspired Going Concern March Madness last year. They are diverse and sometimes petty, but the fact remains that they are all too real
Woke up 3 times last night bc I solved my clients problems in my dreams. Is that billable? #busyseasonproblems #worktoomuch
— Autumn (@AutumnTSmith) February 7, 2016
Partner: "how late are you working tonight"
Me: "until I can't stay awake anymore" #busyseasonproblems #clientwantsitbyfriday #coffee
— Sara (@sarajp21) February 4, 2016
When the staff tries to abbreviate Analytical Review… #auditlife #busyseasonproblems #cpa pic.twitter.com/rT13sh6UQm
— Crystal G. Knight (@CKnightCPA) February 2, 2016
At least this year there's heat in the office on weekends. #movingup #busyseasonproblems
— Brendan Kennedy (@brendank09) January 30, 2016
Tomorrow is a short day at work. Which means a 10 hour day instead of a 12-13 hour day. #BusySeasonProblems
— Andrew Harris (@AndrewHarris27) January 29, 2016
Coincidence that my audit selection was for Bombay Sapphire Gin? I think not #busyseasonproblems
— Brian (@Balmendinger) January 26, 2016
As you can see, #BusySeasonProblems is mostly an endless cycle sleep deprivation, eating too much (or not at all), medicating oneself and working weekends. It never gets old.
You should use #BusySeasonProblems if you are either:
A) Working late;
B) Eating your feelings;
C) A and B;
D) Wearing the same clothes as yesterday;
E) Anything else found here.
Finally, we have the newest entrant into accounting hashtag canon: #TaxIsSexy. I figured tax people didn't need the self-esteem boost but #TaxIsSexy came about after the ballyhooed launch of #AuditorProud. Despite being effusive, there are some flashes of brilliance:
guys my moms accounting firm is trying to get #taxissexy to trend
— shayro (@shainaluvsfries) February 8, 2016
Working on a Saturday! Woohoo! #taxissexy
— Stephen Montellano (@S_Montellano) February 6, 2016
Well, that's about it. You should use #TaxIsSexy if:
A) You're a tax professional.
B) You're feeling sexy because of A.
C) Nothing in the Right Said Fred song applies to you.
These are simple guidelines that warrant serious debate and amendment, if necessary. Of course if you've been using a hashtag that's not represented here, I invite you to make a case for its inclusion below.
