The role of an accountant is to maintain and analyze a company's financial records and ensure that they are accurate and in compliance with accounting standards and regulations. They are responsible for preparing financial statements, tax returns, and other financial reports that provide valuable information to stakeholders. Accountants differ from other finance-related professions, such as financial analysts and investment bankers, in that they focus on the day-to-day maintenance of a company's financial records, while others focus on providing financial advice and analysis.