Advancing data in accounting
If we are to be true "strategic partners" as accountants, we have to bring significant value to the table. This has to be more than continuing to advocate for our favorite hobby horse, as valuable as many of those hobby horses are. I would put forth that where accountants within an organization is to be able to bring data grounded insight to most decisions. This requires the strong business grounding that comes foundationally with being an accountant in an organization, but also requires increasing data and statistical skills, and strong storytelling capabilities. I've long advocated that it is easier to teach an accountant to code (and statistics) than to teach a programmer (or statistician) accounting. So, let's not be frightened of learning Python, or regression analysis in all its forms, or factor analysis, or machine learning, and let's grow the value we're brining to our firms.
Thank you JP for your post above. I fully agree with you that what is most important is to make better decisions. This means accountants need skills with analytics and data science to enable their organization's managers and executive team to make those better decisions.