...except that 400k in 1980 translates to 608k in 2017, if you factor in overall labor force size. That means even though there were 600k jobs "created", it's still a net loss.

[1] https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CLF16OV

I think the point of the comment in discussion is:

"Though the spreadsheet was supposed to make clerks obsolete, it in fact just upgraded their job requirements to allow the operation of spreadsheets"

And probably their salaries too.

This is more in line with the discussion related to OP, as well, as devops employees exist, even though apparently it is automated.

This is a weak argument, since it ignores the productivity gains in all the industries that necessitated more accountants. Accountants don't only do each other's taxes, so more productivity in accountants is an indicator for a more productive economy