Cardigans & Comb Overs

When Hamish Edwards (Xero co-founder) recently tweeted that he was looking for an accountant, and that ‘if you wear a brown cardigan or have a comb over you need not apply’, it got me thinking.

In 2012, what does an accountant look like?

Are there still the pin stripe suits and ties? Or has it gone as far as jeans and t-shirts?

For me, it is not so much about the appearance but the following:

  • Having a positive attitude and Passion!
  • Being straight up and honest (the truth hurts sometimes!)
  • Having a tech and entrepreneurial streak
  • Being able to communicate across different mediums
  • Being flexible to change

Any others?

[Disclosure – I own 3 cardigans, none brown…]