<p>I would say that many accountants are essentially bookeepers. Scorekeepers.</p>
<p>A top finance guy may be able to offer more value added to a company, by coming up with money saving ideas, and with the ability to evaluate from a financial standpoint many difference business proposals. The finance guy uses the data the accountant compiled, but then might make $50 million for the company be making good use of that data.</p>