It’s The ’80s All Over Again!

Avaci was very helpful and most interested in understanding the similarities
and differences in how the profession is practiced in our respective countries.
We compared demographics and found that while Brazil has more firms per capita
than the United States, both countries have an overwhelming majority of small
(fewer than 10) firms. In reviewing the state of small business in Brazil, it’s
easy to understand why. There are very few franchises, and most businesses are
small “Mom & Pop” owner-managed style. These businesses utilize
precious little technology (the more advanced retailers have just rolled out
scanners and bar codes!), and most (those with annual revenues over ~$600,000)
are required by law to engage a “Contrador” (i.e., CPA). Once engaged,
the Contrador (actually the firm) performs virtually all bookkeeping and accounting
services. You’ll find no Sarbanes-Oxley management rules here. The outside
firm does EVERYTHING and at year-end issues a signed and certified “book”
that contains a printed record of EVERY transaction, including all appropriate
adjusting journal entries, for the year. This “book” is kept by
the client and must be presented upon demand of a bank creditor or of the Brazilian
Internal Revenue Service. I tried, without success, to find something that vaguely
resembled a financial statement in the “book” I was shown. It seems
that management prepares and issues financial statements, and the role of the
independent accountant is to capture, classify and record every transaction
and prepare a record of such. Avaci proudly told me that the Society is working
with vendors to develop a method to deliver the “book” electronically!
(Ya think?)

My next stop was the Revenue Service, where I met Roberto Forselius, District
Manager of the Brazilian Internal Revenue Service. Roberto confirmed that the
IRS and CPAs in Brazil have the same “love/hate” relationship as
in the United States … with certain significant differences. The format
of the “book” is prescribed by the Service, and the accountant’s
license is at risk for virtually any material error. In sharp contrast with
the United States, young accountants in Brazil begin their careers in private
practice and aspire to land a prestigious, high-paying position with the IRS.
I was surprised to hear that the Brazilians estimate a 50 percent revenue loss
attributable to under-reporting and failure to file. It sorta made me feel proud
to realize that they admire our success in voluntary compliance!

My last stop was at the offices of the largest firm in Chapeco — about
160 people. The firm looks exactly like a typical U.S. firm of the ’80s
— two partners, six managers, about 20 seniors, and 130 clerk/data-input/bookkeepers.
Professionally licensed “Contradors” are four-year college graduates,
while clerks are basically trained “on the job.” I observed no “sense
of urgency” here, and everywhere I looked I saw vestiges of the “the
olden days” for the profession. From a wall full of rubber stamps to rooms
full of data-entry clerks, Brazil is decidedly?behind the United States in the
delivery of professional services. Managing?Partner Vilmar Tadeu Da Silva told
me that people are cheap in Brazil; and, while they are trying to advance technology,
the costs are very steep. During this discussion, I heard an interesting complaint
— one that I heard at a small office in Compos Novos a few weeks before
and also at the Society office earlier that day. It seems that the market-leading
provider in Brazil (I.O.B.) was purchased in 2000, and practitioners feel that
prices have increased substantially. The purchaser? None other than the Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters, which subsequently sold IOB in June 2007.
(No further comment!).

While Brazil is technically considered a “third world” country,
its financial infrastructure seems solid, albeit mostly manual. The people understand
their need for technology, and they keep a close eye on the United States as
an aspirational example. They have a vibrant economy and an enviable entrepreneurial
work ethic. My prediction is that they will move 30 years in the next 10. It’s
an exciting time for this South American giant, and I’m fortunate to have
had the opportunity to share with and learn from them.

Obrigado, amigos!

PS: If you’re not familiar with the concept of “social
networking” perhaps you should consider becoming so. Back in the ’90s,
we had to learn about e-mail, and many practitioners scoffed when we showed
them a business card including an e-mail address. Today, many are scoffing about
LinkedIn, Facebook and Second Life. The AICPA recently launched LinkedIn groups
for CITP and ITMS, and Tom Hood, visionary Executive Director of the Maryland
Association of CPAs has become the de facto “mayor” of SLACPA (that’s
the Second Life Association of CPAs). Virtual communities ARE happening, and
they WILL change the way we practice public accounting. I spoke on this topic
(Blogs, Podcasting, and Social Networks for Accountants) at AICPA TECH+, and
I’ll be covering it at several other conferences, as well. Please join
me if you get the chance!