Behind the Numbers: When Accounting Gets Unexpected
A day in the life of an accountant might sound predictable or even boring. But sometimes, it isn’t. Occasionally, the work takes unexpected turns — like interacting with the police.
Recently, I had a couple of experiences that reminded me just how varied life in a small practice can be.
When Former Clients Make Headlines
One morning, two police officers arrived at the office to ask a few questions. They wanted to know whether we worked for a particular business. In the past, we had done some bookkeeping for them, mainly monthly bank reconciliations, but we weren’t their accountants and had already disengaged from the client due to difficulties in working together.
After I explained the situation, the officers shared that they were tracing a wider investigation involving police corruption, spanning multiple regions and linked to this client’s business.
I was relieved that we no longer did any work for this client. Once they had the information they needed, the officers left to speak with the accountants who were currently responsible for the client’s accounts and tax returns.
Phone Calls from the Local Police
More recently, I received a call from the South Wales Police asking me to move a van. My initial reaction: “That would be clever — I don’t even have a van, and both our office vehicles are parked outside.”
After they provided more details, it became clear it was one of my client’s vans obstructing the road. Since the company was registered to our office address, the police contacted me to help resolve the situation. I promptly provided the director and manager’s contact information. Problem solved — and everyone went on their way. 😊
Lessons from Unexpected Police Interactions
These experiences highlight just how varied life in accountancy can be, especially in a small practice. You never know when bookkeeping and tax returns might intersect with investigations, road regulations, or wider administrative issues.
While unusual, these interactions are reminders that accountants often play a practical role beyond preparing accounts — sometimes acting as a first point of contact, helping solve problems quickly and professionally.