10 Things You Didn’t Know Your Accountant Secretly Loves

By Published On: June 19, 2025Categories: People, Careers - Culture

Movies and TV shows haven’t done accountants many favors, often portraying them as humorless number crunchers with pocket protectors and a love for spreadsheets. But life inside a public accounting firm is far more dynamic than the stereotypes suggest. Sure, tax season can be intense, but there are plenty of surprising things that actually brighten an accountant’s day. Here are 10 things your accountant secretly loves (even if they’re too modest, or too busy meeting deadlines, to say it out loud).

  1. A Perfectly Organized Spreadsheet
    A color-coded, formula-checked, tab-labeled Excel file? Yes, please. There’s nothing quite like the quiet satisfaction of data that adds up flawlessly.
  2. Clients Who Keep Receipts
    No shoeboxes, no last-minute email chains, just beautifully categorized records. It’s a love language.
  3. A Good Puzzle (Even if It’s a Reconciliation)
    Balancing a stubborn set of books is the accountant’s version of a thrilling detective novel. The missing $12.34? Found. Victory.
  4. When You Ask Financial Questions
    You might think you’re bothering us, but we actually love when clients want to understand what’s going on. Financial curiosity is a great sign.
  5. New Tax Laws (Seriously!)
    Changes in tax code keep us on our toes, and secretly, we like the challenge. Plus, it gives us fresh ways to help you save money.
  6. Office Supplies That Work
    A smooth-writing pen, a calculator that never dies, or a fresh stack of sticky notes? Instant serotonin.
  7. Being Trusted with Your Big Moments
    Buying a business, planning for retirement, selling property; we love when clients bring us in early. It’s not just helpful, it’s an honor.
  8. Clients Who File Early
    File early, sleep better. When clients beat the rush, we get to give their returns the red-carpet treatment.
  9. A Good Cup of Coffee
    During tax season, coffee isn’t just a beverage, it’s an essential part of the workflow. Bonus points if it’s paired with donuts.
  10. Seeing Clients Thrive
    There’s no better feeling than seeing a business grow or a family reach a financial milestone. Your success is why we do what we do.

At SDK, we may be accountants, but behind the spreadsheets and calculators, we’re people who care deeply about the people we serve. And yes, we might geek out a little when you hand us a clean profit-and-loss statement.