An Accountancy Lesson from The Polar Express

At Lewis Brownlee, we’re not your standard accountants. So, when tasked with writing a festive blog, our first thought wasn’t how to make tax sound appealing. (Rest assured, our Tax team were most disappointed not to be called upon!). Instead, we got to thinking about the lessons the festive period have to teach around accounts. So, without much further ado, we’d like to introduce to our whimsical ride aboard the Polar Express. Here’s hoping you discover some surprising accountancy lessons hidden within this beloved Christmas film.

Now, for those who haven’t seen it, the Polar Express is a heartwarming tale. It’s about a young boy’s magical train journey to the North Pole, filled with wonder, excitement, and life lessons.

So, here goes!

Accountancy Lesson 1: The Value of a Ticket

The film begins with a little boy who decides to catch a magical train that appears outside his house. Upon boarding the train, he is issued with a very important golden ticket. It turns out that all of the children are given these tickets and they are very important. They’re checked and punched by the conductor, as he spells our a word that will be significant to the holder.

A series of fascinating hole-punching antics go on, as the conductor carefully crafts the finest detail into the tickets. And, therein lies a crucial lesson! In accountancy, every detail matters, just like each punch in those tickets. Overlooking even the smallest transaction can lead to discrepancies in your financial records. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced expert ensuring the detail is perfectly captured, carefully allocated and given to exactly the right people. You’ve guessed it! That’s where accountants (like us!) come in!

Accountancy Lesson 2: Believe in the Numbers

The Polar Express’s ultimate message is to  believe in the magic of Christmas. It’s metaphorically about trusting in another being (Santa) and his ability to literally deliver the goods (toys!). Herein lies an accountancy lesson for us too. After all, accountancy is all about trusting the numbers and your accountant to come up with the goods. Yes, that’s right! We are the Santa of the financial world!!!

Our ‘goods’ might be in minimising your tax liability, getting your business finances on track, or even planning your exit strategy. But whatever your financial need, a reputable accountant (like us) can work wonders in giving you the gift of ‘peace of mind’ when you trust them with your affairs.

Accountancy Lesson 3: The Journey of Financial Planning

The film’s journey is full of twists and turns. The boy receives a magical gift of a bell from Santa’s sleigh. But, alas! The boy’s dressing gown pocket has a hole in it! If only he had had someone take a look at the risk surrounding him before he had put his gift from Santa in such a perilous situation!

In the financial world, accountants play a major role in risk management. They’ll want to dive into the detail, find where the ‘holes’ are in your personal or business finance, and make sure you are adequately covered to cope if the unexpected happens. So, the accountancy lesson we can learn from this is that (just as for the Polar Express) life does not always follow a straight track; there are ups and downs along the way. So, you need to plan ahead, with the right people by your side looking out for you. It’s also always good to have an objective third party casting an eye over the finer detail to make sure you don’t unexpectedly lose anything valuable!

Accountancy Lesson 4: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Just as the children on the Polar Express work together to see Santa after getting separated from the main crowd, the essence of teamwork in finance can not be overstated. In business, collaborative efforts in financial decision-making lead to better outcomes. It’s about combining diverse skills and perspectives for a common goal. That way, just as in the film, everyone can get to the finish line and achieve their goal!

Accountancy Lesson 5: A Financial Conductor with a Difference

As we reach the end of this fun, festive ride, we’re reminded of what an important person the Conductor aboard the Polar Express is. It turns out he is so much more than a passive bystander in the children successfully learning the lessons he stamps on their tickets at the start. Instead, he is actually an active partner in their learning.

At Lewis Brownlee, we believe that your accountant, tax adviser, auditor, bookkeeper and business advisers should be like your Polar Express Conductor. Like us, they should be ready to help with all your accountancy needs, ensuring your financial journey is as magical and well-guided as a ride on the Polar Express. So, why not hop aboard with us for a journey filled with expert guidance, trusted advice, and a sprinkle of festive cheer for 2024! We’d be glad to partner in your success!

If you’d like to speak to one of our experts about your accounts, please call 01243 782 423, or email from our contact page and we will be in touch!

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