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Yes, Christopher Columbus Had an Accountant

John Vanderlyn’s painting, “Landing of Columbus” in the Capitol Rotunda, depicts Columbus’s accountant, Roderigo Sanchez, as fourth man standing on left
John Vanderlyn’s painting, “Landing of Columbus” in the Capitol Rotunda, depicts Columbus’s accountant, Roderigo Sanchez, as fourth man standing on left

Valuable contacts can become friends.

By Ed Mendlowitz

One of my hobbies is my interest in accounting history.

Delving through history is very interesting but usually a solitary pursuit. However, when you meet likeminded people, the discussions can become very animated. It can also cause you to meet extraordinarily interesting, bright and nice people, and I have.

Learn more: Call Me Before You Do Anything: The Art of Accounting

I wrote the lead article in the Journal of Accountancy’s 125th Anniversary issue, and two of the editors were Dale Flesher and Gary Previts. We “met” over the phone discussing the article. A few months afterward the AICPA had its 125th Anniversary Council meeting and Dale and Gary called and suggested I come to Washington, D.C., to meet them and perhaps visit the Capitol and have our photos taken in front of the painting by John Vanderlyn showing the landing of Columbus, including Roderigo Sanchez, the accountant hired by Queen Isabella to accompany Columbus.