Research rap … an unfinished work

Article Type: Literature and insights From: Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Volume 26, Issue 7

Let me tell you ’bout the time I went to towninto an organisation – no cap and gownjust business clothes, ’cos I wanted to seehow they did their accounting – if they’d talk to me!To get a foot in the door was my first concernso I made a few calls, just hopin’ I’d learnthe best way in ’cos if we could talkthere might be a chance this project could work.

Is accounting just numbers, or is it more?

What’s it mean to you, and what’s it for?

By the end of a year I had data galore –it was all over my desk and onto the floorthere were transcripts and documents all aroundmixed up with meetings and budgets I’d foundhelpful yes, but if I didn’t sort them outI’d end up crazy and start to shout.My filing system was all over the placefinish my thesis? I was losing the race!

Is this a marathon more than a sprint?

Will I last the distance of this endless stint?

My rellies and friends almost had a fitwhen I said I was joining the NUD*IST cliqueIt’s not what you think, I hastened to say’though at times it seemed like a weird sort of wayto spend my weeks, when day after dayI’d be coding away when I longed to playand reading a book or walking the dogwas way down the list past the long hard slog

What’s on telly and what does it matter?

I’ve no time for that or even for chatter!

Shopping for a theory, nearly lost my wayIf I could have bought one I’d gladly payjust to get this thing finished and live the dreamthat one day again I’d let off some steamSo days became weeks and weeks became yearswith oceans of pain and tissues of tearsbut when I finished my thesis that awesome day… I’d really just started to find my way

When you finish your thesis on that awesome dayyou’ve really just started to find your way

Helen Irvine

School of Accountancy, QUT Business School, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia