3

The Language of Finance

In this chapter we’ll explore the importance of financial and accounting language. As with all languages, the basics of grammar can be taught, but local dialects are inevitably more difficult to grasp.

Foreign language students spend a good part of their degree programme living and working in the country whose language they are attempting to learn. This is because a language can only be fully grasped when you become immersed in it.

As a non-financial manager you won’t be immersed in the world of finance, but you will touch on it on a daily basis. The more senior your role the more important it is quickly and coherently learn to speak this very special language.

To start with, a reality check

There is a very old joke ...

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