Careers beyond the numbers
Last week, the AUT Business School hosted Counting on Success: How Accounting and Finance Can Lead to Different Career Pathways – an event showcasing the diversity within the accounting profession.
In partnership with MYOB, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and BDO New Zealand, the event brought together high school students, AUT students, parents and industry professionals to explore the dynamic potential of a career in accounting.
Chaired by Shailan Patel, Education Manager at MYOB, a panel of accounting professionals and AUT students shared how accounting offers not just stability, but adaptability and relevance in today’s world.
Dispelling outdated views, panellists described how accounting skills are applied in diverse fields - from corporate roles to forensic accounting, cybersecurity, and environmental agencies. Chartered Accountants today are embedded across varied sectors, with one third working in corporates, one third in local authorities, and one third in firms.
The theme of change resonated throughout the evening. Shailan noted that people can expect to hold up to 18 roles in their lifetime.
“In a generation expected to navigate 16-18 jobs across 5-7 different careers, the core skills developed by studying accounting, such as analytical thinking, problem-solving and financial acumen, will provide a robust foundation for diverse professional journeys," he said.
Mark Nicholson, Audit and Assurance Partner at BDO, reflected on his own career journey – from graduate to partner, highlighting a period working in London. He emphasised how an accounting qualification enables both career advancement and international mobility.
"An accounting qualification is more than just numbers, it’s a gateway to global opportunities," Mark noted.
Stephanie Cooke, Finance Associate Director at JLL, described how finance has evolved into a forward-looking discipline, where accounting knowledge fuels innovation and strategic thinking. She encouraged attendees to view accounting as a creative toolkit that turns ideas into viable ventures.
AUT students offered their own insights. Bachelor of Business student Vana Kumar, Co-President of the AUT Accounting Association, encouraged involvement in extracurricular activities as a way to build networks and enhance employability.
Final-year student Khai Nguyen reflected on his journey from Vietnam to New Zealand, his internship at Deloitte and his role as a student representative for CA ANZ. He highlighted how soft skills and transferable skills are critical to shaping a meaningful career.
Thank you to our speakers and partners for inspiring the next generation and demonstrating where accounting can lead.