The Portrayal of Accountants in Pop Culture: Who’s Got it Right?

We know that Hollywood takes quite a creative license when portraying characters and what different careers are like. Take, for instance, doctors and nurses in tv shows, from the melodramatic lives in Grey’s Anatomy to the comedic and potential malpractice in Scrubs, most of us know that is not real life. But, have they ever got it right when portraying a job? Depending on whom you ask, but I think, yes. For example, the way algorithms and coding are talked about in The Social Network is quite accurate and how they explore the legal battle Zuckerberg has to go through is pretty spot on. And, in the movies End of Watch and Hot Fuzz, the main actors accurately portray the slow and boring ride-a-longs all officers experience. But, one career that almost never seems to be the main character’s job, but could certainly be, is an accountant. We do, however, have many side characters of accountants and I have listed them from the most accurate portrayal to the least, plus what education I think they have and what may have helped them, looking at you Angela Martin and how a communication course would have made your co-workers lives so much easier.  

Parks and Recreation: Ben Wyatt 

Starting with the accountant that we all know and love, and everyone in Pawnee wanted a piece of (sorry Barney and the Tilton & Radomski Firm for never having him for more than a few days) the man, Ben Wyatt from Parks and Recreation. He came to Pawnee as a state auditor, there is no one specific path to get into this career, but we do know he probably completed accounting courses, either a certificate or a degree, and completed an American or Canadian taxation course to learn about all taxes specific to a municipality.  What sort of continuing education courses could Ben have benefited from? Thinking maybe some sort of mindfulness training to stay present and be in the moment and share some of those mindfulness tips with Leslie.   


The Office: Kevin, Angela and Oscar 

Next, we move to another popular group of accountants: Kevin Malone, Angela Martin, and Oscar Martinez from The Office. I think out of the three, Oscar shows the best portrayal of an accountant, he does a variety of work from excel spreadsheets to providing financial advice for the company and Michael. With how Oscar handles Michael and his impending bankruptcy, it is safe to say he has a financial planner certification and with his knowledge of stocks and mutual funds, potentially has completed an American or Canadian securities course. Angela, she does a lot of the payroll and other admin work, so it is safe to say she has completed a QuickBooks training course and some payroll courses. While no one really knows for sure if Kevin Malone knows what he is doing or if he even has an accounting background, we all still love him and his special number. As I have mentioned before, it would be beneficial for Angela to take a communications training course, but I think all three of them could benefit from it for different reasons.  


Breaking Bad: Skyler White 

Lastly, an accountant who is not super ethical, Skylar White from Breaking Bad. In the beginning, Skylar has the most stereotypical job of doing some contract bookkeeping and works as an accountant at an accounting firm; but what she ends up doing for most of the show is a felony. While she would have to be quite knowledgeable about bookkeeping to have been able to successfully pull off money laundering, she does not accurately portray what an accountant is, hence why she is last on my list. What she did become was a well-loved anti-heroine. 


Honourable Mentions: 

  • Louis Tulley from Ghostbusters 
  • Oscar Wallace from The Untouchables 
  • Loretta Castorini from Moonstruck 
  • Chris Wolff from The Accountant

It is unfortunate that Hollywood does not make more characters like Ben Wyatt and Oscar Martinez; a career in accounting is not only fast-paced but is constantly evolving and they have knowledge we could all benefit from, which could make for a very fascinating and informative TV series.  


Written by Lindsay McKay

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