Not all things recorded in the books are account titles and numbers. Some of those entries are hilarious stories recorded by an accountant in the office who is generous enough to share it on Reddit.

Problems With Excel 

Deseptikons posted a short story about his boss and Microsoft Excel. Apparently, his boss is quite new to Excel, and it has resulted in a lot of miscommunications between boss and employee. Below is just one of the examples of their frequent skirmishes:

[My boss] asked me for a report with certain summaries. Simple enough, I create[d] it and email[ed]. it to him. A few hours later he comes to my office.

Boss: Did you make the changes I specified?

Me: No, sorry I must have missed that email.

After checking the email,

Me: Sir, I didn't receive an email from you.

Boss: Well I made notes on the excel file you sent me.

Me: Oh, when did you send it to me?

Boss: I didn't, I just added notes to the one you sent me and saved it.

Me: ...Oh so on the network? [let me] see...

After checking the network folders,

Me: I don't see it. Where did you save it?

Boss: Ummmm in My Documents on the.... C drive.

Me: Sir, I can’t access it if it’s on your computer drive.

Boss: What? doesn't it update when you’re looking at it?

Me: Sir, Excel doesn't work that way."

Agent Who Cried Fraudulently

It’s not his personal story, but it’s funny nonetheless. Our accountant shares one of his partner’s hilarious stories that involves one IRS agent and a brush hog. The story goes like this:

[My partner] had a large farm client that had an IRS audit in the early 80s. Two IRS agents were assigned to the audit; an older guy, and a new, green recruit. A meeting was scheduled after the initial papers and books had been delivered to the agents.

As they reached a discussion of fixed assets, the young agent shot up his hand, as if he'd found something truly fraudulent. He pointed to the depreciation schedule. To paraphrase:

"Why's this not listed as breeding stock?"

The farmers leaned in.

"We've got everything categorized as breeding stock right here, but this hog's not on it."

The oldest farmer read the asset description and started laughing. He then said:

"Boy, I'd like to see you breed a brush hog."

Take note, a brush hog is a lawnmower.

Close and Personal

Sometimes, the funniest stories come from accountants who must put up with the most embarrassing of interns. As snakesnake9 demonstrates with his story:

[The Intern and I] were at the client's office and the kid goes into the hallway to take some kind of call. 

At some point, the client's CFO comes in and says that this guy's been on an obvious personal call for almost an hour right outside his office and he could hear everything.

References: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/talesfromaccounting/comments/2sobev/sir_excel_doesnt_work_that_way/
https://www.reddit.com/r/talesfromaccounting/comments/2he7gk/one_from_my_old_partner_a_farm_irs_audit/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Accounting/comments/395yy4/whats_the_most_embarrassingcringey_thing_youve/

Contributed by: Allison Julianne Macasaet
She is a freelance writer on the side, a student of international relations on the other. Interests include fantasy books, international relations, and lifestyle.