Those than can do, those that can’t, count

8 March 2018
| By Rollover |
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Rollover, being a journalist, would never describe himself as being highly numerate and so acknowledges his deep suspicion of bean-counters and their ilk.

Thus, he is suitably cynical about “extensive new research” from recruitment outfit, Robert Half, which suggests that a bean-counting background can be handy if you aspire to being a chief executive officer.

Looking at the background and experience of every current ASX 200 CEO, Robert Half research found that 50 per cent of them had a professional background in finance, accounting or financial services.

Rollover reflects that given the need for CEOs to be able to read, explain and then deliver plausible excuses about a balance sheet, the Robert Half findings are not all that surprising.

However, he suggests that perhaps these bean-counting, financial types might not necessarily be best-placed to make engineering or medical decisions lest their manipulation of the bottom line leads to physical collapse.

Counting, after all, does not necessarily equate to building.

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