I can’t believe it’s finally here! On 29 June, almost one year since we finalised the book’s contents, the first print of the Australian Master Accountants Guide landed on my desk.  As a first-time managing editor on a project of this scale, I have to tell you that the journey in seeing months and months of seemingly endless researching, writing, reviewing and editing finally appearing in print has been one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve had in a long time.   

It wasn’t an easy journey however.  A lot can happen in a year, and the year with the Australian Master Accountants Guide was no exception. Two of the authors pulled out of the project a few weeks before the copy deadline, and BDO Kendalls who kindly spared their professional accounting knowledge reviewing the chapters suggested an overhaul of the structure of the book half way to the finish line.  Even as it got down to the home stretch, I found myself wrestling over every word of the Guide.  And with the deadline quickly approaching, the subeditor and I must have read each chapter at least eight times.   

But because of all these challenges, we believe the Guide will serve those who will use it much more powerfully. I hope that it speaks practically to accounting professionals needing guidance on advising their clients at different stages of a business cycle. I hope that the examples that challenged our creativity (with the names especially) and the flow charts and diagrams that expanded the boundaries of our logic, work together to explain complex principles more simply and clearly.   

After working on this book, I realise that I have been changed by the journey.  Picking up a book from the bookstore, I am now able to look beyond the print to appreciate the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. At the same time however, I cannot help my eyes from busily glancing through the pages trying to spot any typos.  I know, I’m plagued…

Tags: Accountants, editing, Reviewing

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