A pile of documents, a calculator, and someone tediously noting down numbers—this is usually the first image that comes to mind on hearing the word ‘accounting’. But in recent years, with corporations and industries expanding enormously, “the language of business” or accountancy has also evolved to keep up with them. Today, accounting not only fulfils its traditional role of keeping accounts in a radically different manner, but it also provides an array of additional services such as financial advice, forensic audits, and assistance in legal proceedings. Accounting, with the help of modern technology, has now become more efficient, more accurate and more helpful than ever. Let us define an accountant in simple terms and look at the services he offers.