Balance Day Adjustment 2015

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CONTENTS

Editors’ Address 6

President’s Address 7

Semester 2 Events 10

About ASA 13

The Committee 16

Semester 1 - Recap 19

O-Week & Welcome Back BBQ 19

Q&A Evening 21

First Years’ Professional Services Seminar 23

Professional Development Week #1 25

CPA Australia Case Competition 26

Professional Experiences 27

Feature Article: The Road Less Travelled 28-29

Feature Article: Career Ready 31-32

Contact Us 34

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Applications+for+our+Graduate+Programs+(Store+Supoort+Centre,+Retail+and+DC)+will+open+in+June/July+2015+for+the+February+2016+and+August+2016+intakes!+

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In!April,!we!held!our!very!own!Graduate!Event!at!our!Store!Support!Centre!in!Hawthorn,!Melbourne.!

This!was!a!fantastic!evening!that!allowed!potential!graduates!to!see!who!we!are!and!what!we!do!!This!night!included:!

C Coles!specific!‘Careers!Fair’!where!different!functions!!each!had!a!stand!to!showcase!their!work!

C Live!cooking!demonstrations!from!Masterchef!contestants!!C Raffle!with!an!IPad!giveaway!C Surprise!performance! !

We!will!be!holding!another!Coles!Graduate!Event!in!August!so!keep!your!eye!out!for!further!information!so!you!don’t!miss!out!!

EDITORS’ ADDRESS Another semester has passed or for those first year’s – congratulations on finishing your first semester. 2015 has flown by and ASA were busy making sure our members got the most out of their membership. Welcome to our mid-year publication. We hope that it will help you throughout the rest of the academic year and that it will provide further development for your future career. In this edition of Balance Day Adjustment, you will find recounts and reflections of our past events, features articles to provide further insight into the accounting field, and what to look forward to in semester two. We hope you enjoyed the first half of 2015, and enjoyed what ASA had to offer. Furthermore, we hope to see more members in our future events in semester two.

Cameron Beer and Sopone Souphanh – 2015 Publications Team

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PRESIDENT’S

ADDRESS

Welcome back to both our new and current members! As semester one closes and we move into the next half of the year, I am excited to say that the ASA still have many more exciting events planned for 2015! Beginning with our Welcome Back BBQ in week one, we quickly will be moving to our second Q&A evening where members will have the opportunity to network with our corporate sponsors in a professional setting. At the beginning of the year we started the initiative of "Where will accounting take you?". This semester, we will be holding a number of events that showcase the numerous career paths outside of professional services. Our "Experts in Industry" and collaboration with the Centre for Accounting and Industry Partnerships are two events to look forward to. As in previous years, we will also be holding an event tailored specifically to our international student members. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about getting ahead in their career as an international student in Australia. Good luck for semester two and we hope to see you at all of our upcoming events.

Jordan Tan – President 2015

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For graduate Sally Dole, life is about being open to new experiences and new opportunities. To learn as much as possible; to gain a more holistic and well-rounded view; to consistently stretch and better yourself.

Sally has combined overseas work with her love of music, politics, travel and meeting new people. It’s this global and wide-ranging perspective, that helps Sally in her day to day work at KPMG.

It’s this approach of always striving for your best and taking chances that KPMG looks for.

If you want a career for all of you, talk to KPMG.

kpmg.com/au/grads

© 2014 KPMG, an Australian partnership. All rights reserved. VICN11566PPC.

Your horizons

Go Beyond

Sally DoleThomson Reuters Graduate of the Year, globe-trotter, music lover

Corporate Tax Consultant, KPMG Sydney

ABCD

Interested in a career beyond accounting?

Our Advisory, Tax and Audit teams are shaping the future of leading organisations across Australia.

With one of the country’s most varied range of client engagements, we’ll have you working with the nation’s most respected companies from day one. You’ll receive dedicated development and mentoring, and mix with some of the brightest minds around. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to work on community and environmental programs that make a genuine difference to our society.

At KPMG we believe that business has a vital role to play in solving social and environmental problems, we support numerous organisations in the areas of education, social inclusion and health.

But it’s also our diversity that sets us apart – we’re not tied to certain qualifications, backgrounds, disciplines or experiences. As long as you can ask the big questions as well as answer them, challenge us as much as much as we challenge you, we’ll never hold you back.

If you want a career for all of you, talk to KPMG.

Culture & values As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, we work with organisations in over 150 countries to work smarter, grow and prosper. In Australia, we employ around 5,200 people across 13 offices and work with some of the most high profile public and private names. Our open and friendly culture embraces individuality, rather than curbing it. We encourage building communities, and understanding the bottom line. We’ll encourage you to chase your personal goals as well as professional ones and build a successful and individual career at your own pace. A career for all of you We’re open-minded about people. Our standards are high but we’re interested in more than just academic records. We welcome all backgrounds, value all experiences and consider all qualifications, beyond just the ones you would expect. We’re looking for talented people, team players and progressive thinkers who can communicate their ideas with passion. Degrees/disciplines All disciplines accepted. How to apply For closing dates and vacancies in your preferred office and to submit your online application, please go to www.kpmg.com/au/grads Programs & deadlines First year program - Vacation work – Graduate positions For closing dates and vacancies in your preferred office please see our website. Citizenship/residency requirements

SEMESTER 2 EVENTS Welcome Back BBQ July 28th A chance to mingle with other ASA members in a casual environment, as well as getting the chance to meet our sponsors with a free BBQ spread.

Experts In Industry August 11th Representatives from key companies in industry will come to discuss accounting opportunities available outside of Professional Services. CAIP AusPost: John Stanhope 12pm, August 18th John Stanhope from Australia Post will be talking students about his career and current position. He will also discuss what it means to be business ready in the 21st century. Q&A Evening 2 6.30pm, August 25th The Q&A Evening is our flagship event, held each semester. The event is catered and gives you the opportunity to ask panellistsrepresenting our sponsors any questions that you would like to beexplored. Make sure to reserve a seat early, as venueconstraints means places are limited.

International Students’ Careers Forum 12pm, September 1st The Careers Forum will see a tailored presentation to International Students regarding opportunities in the commerce industry.

10

Use CA ANZ Employment Guide App to research

and apply for roles

Start your accounting role in a CA recognised

organisation

ACCOUNTING GRADUATE PATHWAY

charteredaccountantsanz.com/students

GraduateThird yearSecond yearFirst year

Start your business or commerce accredited

accounting degree

Apply for the CA Program

Get involved in extracurricular activities

to help you stand out

Keep your LinkedIn profile up-to-date

Attend on campus uni vacation fairs and events

Research and apply for graduate roles as early

as possible

Apply for vacation or undergraduate work

Attend CA ANZ Employment Evening

Attend CA ANZ Employment Evening

Attend First Year Development Day

to learn more about the opportunities available to you

Become a Student Affiliate

Build your professional profile on LinkedIn

Use CA ANZ Employment Guide App to research

and apply for roles

Get involved in student societies and find

networking opportunities to build your

professional network

ABOUT US The Accounting Students’ Association (ASA) is a leading association at the University of Melbourne that is run by students for the mutual benefit of students and employers.ASA was founded in 2001, in conjunction with the Department of Accounting at the University of Melbourne, ASA is supported by the Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) and the University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU). 14 years later and the association is continuing stronger than ever to benefit our members. We work in collaboration with major professional services and industry firms, as well as accounting accreditation bodies. Our Objectives are to: » Increase our members’ exposure to a vast array of opportunities including, but not

limited to, organising various events which: o Provide a platform to meet other students doing a Commerce degree o Provide the opportunity to network with professionals in the working

world, from graduates to managers to partners o Encourage personal and professional development

» Provide support material and information relevant to students studying a commerce degree

» Liaising with University departments such as the Department of Accounting and Careers and Employment to promote to our members the resources these departments have to offer.

» Assisting students with their endeavours to become employable/employed in a professional context

Now it is up to YOU

Keep an eye on our social media posts and look out for our posters around the Spot at Uni and attend as many of our events as you can. The more exposure you get, the more opportunities that will come your way!

Our Mission is to provide our members with the best value possible by aligning ourselves with professional services firms, accreditation bodies and companies in industry and organising events that will benefit you.

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‘I  could only  have  done  it  at  Deloitte’ When  we  hear  this  it  means  we’re  inspiring  our  people  to  achieve  their  potential.  So  how  do  we  do  this? Our ongoing innovation combined with our commitment to a diverse and collaborative culture set us apart. You’ll  be  joining  a  firm  with  a  relentless  drive  and  passion  for  world  class  client  service  and  a  sense  of  shared responsibility for our place in our local communities that matches your own. What we do As a leading professional services firm, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and its affiliates provide audit, tax, consulting, technology, risk management and financial advisory services through over 6,000 people throughout Australia and over 200,000 staff globally. Focused on the creation of value and growth, and known as an employer of choice for innovative human resources programs, we are dedicated to helping our clients and our people excel. In 2014 we were awarded the Employers of Choice for Gender Equality award by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). This award was previously known as Employer of Choice for Women (EOWA), which we held for 11 consecutive years.

Additionally at the 2013 Financial Review Capital CFO Awards we were awarded Accounting Firm of the Year and Audit firm of the Year – this is the first time a firm has won both awards in the same year and is a testament to our people. So step into your future with one of our programs especially for applicants who are still studying at university. Our Deloitte Development Program This two day interactive program offers you professional development, an insight into life at Deloitte and an advanced opportunity to secure a summer vacation position. You are eligible if you are in your 1st year of a 3 year degree, 2nd year of a 4 year degree or 3rd year of a 5 year degree. Our Summer Vacation Program This is your opportunity to gain practical and paid work experience. Spend three to eight weeks gaining exposure to client work, our award winning learning programs, and social events, with the prospect of securing a graduate position with the firm. If  you’re  in  your  penultimate  year  at  university  you  are eligible to apply. Our Graduate Program Join us at Deloitte in early 2016 for a career that will stimulate, reward and motivate you like no other. Surrounded by a  large  peer  group,  you’ll  be  supported  by  a  dedicated mentor and counselling team who will work with you to build your technical and business skills. It’s  your  future. How far will you take it? yourfuture.deloitte.com.au

THE COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT Jordan Tan VICE PRESIDENT Michael Huang TREASURER Mabel Chen SECRETARY Mariah Cartsidimas

SPONSORSHIP DIRECTOR Julia Rambaldi SPONSORSHIP DIRECTOR Daniel Zhang SPONSORSHIP OFFICER Anil Annamneedi SPONSORSHIP OFFICER Christopher Tang

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Caitlin Harris SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER Jennifer Wang

PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR Cameron Beer PUBLICATIONS OFFICER Sopone Souphanh

MARKETING DIRECTOR Meneka

Ratnasothy MARKETING OFFICER Shankari Thananjeyan

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR Elicia Hajis ACTIVITIES OFFICER Marissa Sivanandam

GENERAL COMMITTEE Cassandra Yam Cheong-Kit Au Christina Bonomo

Thomas O’Farrell Kenneth Tran Liuyang Li Linda Ho Victoria Chan Dana Perez Daniel Tay Minho Kim

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SEMESTER 1 O-WEEK & WELCOME BACK BBQ O-Week was a busy and exciting week for the Accounting Students’ Association. We welcomed new and returning members from various backgrounds to the University of Melbourne. Our members ranged from undergraduate to graduate students, and from a range of different courses. It was an opportunity for ASA to introduce ourselves to the new students. All in all, it was great to see enthusiastic students being active and interested in our future events and in becoming part of the ASA community. In week one, we held our annual Welcome Back BBQ in conjunction with FMAA and CSS. Luckily it was on a nice and sunny day and was the first event many of our members have attended. The line stretched miles away with the prospects of a free sausage or veggie pattie and a drink. Additionally, we had many of our corporate sponsors attend giving students interested in professional work and internships a great networking opportunity. It was great to see students taking this opportunity to go up and talk to the representatives. CAIP – GUNTHER ASA worked alongside Centre for Accounting & Industry Partnerships (CAIP) and The Department of Accounting to bring to you the insightful event “A Day in the Life”. The guest speaker, Regional Financial Director of Treasury Wine Estates, Gunther Burghardt, opened our eyes to his busy and proactive life, providing his audience with insight on what his position entails, what we can expect from our future careers and shared with us his professional journey.

Gunther told us about his past experience at Procter & Gamble, Kraft Foods and now Treasury Wine Estates, how he bikes to work to get his exercise, and his meetings with his colleagues. He gave the advice that we are not limited to our first career choice. Experience in an accounting firm or investment bank provides unique skills that are still useful if making the jump to industry. Coupled with how his experiences have encouraged his career development, students were able to see the positive impact that experiences can have on one’s life. Thanks to CAIP and The Department of Accounting, Gunther’s informative presentation, followed by copious food allowed students to digest his advice and leave with a far better understanding of a day in the life of an industry professional.

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Q&A EVENING

The first Q&A event of 2015 was a huge success comprising 150 attendees from three student associations: The University of Melbourne’s Accounting Students’ Association (ASA) and Monash University’s Commerce and Computing Association (CCA) and Monash Accounting Students’ Association (MASA). A nice change in venue saw the event being hosted at the Sofitel Hotel, which catered for a professional setting and provided an array of delicious canapés and beverages. Starting with a one hour Q&A session with a panel of eleven representatives from sponsors of all three clubs. This was followed by a networking session giving members in attendance an amazing opportunity to make a strong impression with graduate employers.

This year’s panel comprised of representatives from professional services as well as accreditation bodies and information technology companies. The panellists included Fiona Turk from KPMG, Lucy Liang from Deloitte, Lainie Robertson from EY, Lachlan Marshall form PwC, Jerry Andrews from CPA Australia, Guy Russo from Coles and Adhira Razdan from CA ANZ. There were also panellists from the Monash Clubs including Accenture, SMS Management and Technology, Australia Post, Pitcher Partners and DPM.

A flurry of non-stop questions were asked to which the panellists were able to provide all students with insights about future career opportunities and advice on how to approach applications. The panellists were also able to provide information about their respective jobs and their duties as a professional in terms of their own company and also drawing upon personal experience. Interestingly, it was perhaps the varied responses some of the panellists provided most likely due to their different industries that allowed students to understand that Accounting could take them to different settings. Overall the night was a huge success with many students giving positive feedback on the way the event was run. ASA looks forward to being able to provide similar opportunities for our students over the years to come.

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Navitas Professional Year ProgramThe Professional Year Program is designed to assist international graduates from Australian universities in gaining employment in their chosen career. The program also provides eligibility for migration points essential for permanent residency.• Professional training specific to the industry (Accounting/ICT/Engineering)• 44 weeks, as gazetted by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection• Professional internship for 12 weeks• CV preparation & interview skills• Flexible business language skills training • MYOB training • Eligibility for migration points on successful completion of the program

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FIRST YEARS’ PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SEMINAR

The Accounting Students’ Association (ASA) held its first ever ‘First Years’ Professional Services Seminar’ in the Prest Theatre. We had representatives from ‘Big 4’ accounting firms: Deloitte, PWC KPMG and EY. This was a tailored information session for first year students regarding the professional development opportunities and career programs each firm held. Additionally, representatives for the firms were able to advise students on how best to prepare their applications and tips for them to stand out from everyone else.

The firms may offer a first year program, where students can develop their soft skills in a two to three-day program at the firm. They also all offer vacation work, which is applied for at the beginning of your penultimate year and graduate programs, which some firms recruit for while others only offer to students who completed their vacation program first.

Having all four firms present enabled

students to compare and contrast the different cultures and opportunities that each had to offer. Many students had questions to ask such as about second year opportunities, the varying service lines or the different programs on offer. It was fantastic to also see students stayed behind to chat with human resources representatives and current graduates or trainees for an informal networking session.

We had an overwhelming response to this

event and we saw the chiquitos and quesadillas we had flying off the table. We hope to see a repeat of this enthusiastic response in the future.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEEK #1

On Wednesday 29th April, 20 members from the Accounting Students’ Association (ASA) had the opportunity to attend one of our sponsor’s offices in Collins Street kicking off our annual Professional Development Week.

Seed Training Group offered our members a three hour workshop, divided into three sessions, working on developing skills in Excel and MYOB software. This is the first time such an opportunity has been offered to our members and they were able learn and practice using MYOB software to create invoices and sales orders as well as some tips and tricks in using Microsoft Excel. The aim of the workshop was to strengthen some key skills that would be useful to accounting students that were not necessarily taught at university.

Our members really enjoyed the hands-on practical workshop, which was to contrast with our usual offering of only Professional Services firms. All those in attendance were in high spirits and the staff at Seed were very welcoming and willing to assist students.

Overall, the workshop was a success and any students interested in seeing the other workshops that Seed Training Group have on offer are encouraged to look up their website or contact ASA for more details.

Twenty ASA members got the opportunity to spend a morning at Deloitte for professional development.

The morning began with insight into the unique culture at Deloitte and a Q&A panel consisting of representatives from three service lines of Deloitte; Assurance and Advisory, Deloitte Private and Tax Services. The main focus of the day was a business case study. The case study mocked sections of the Deloitte graduate assessment centres and work within the firm. Attendees were split into groups headed by business representatives and then worked together collaborating ideas to improve the business. Coupled with valuable feedback from business representatives, it gave those involved a chance to develop necessary skills to approach similar cases in the future. An office tour and networking session followed, where attendees got the opportunity to speak one-on-one with representatives from the three different service lines.

All attendees took away something of value from the session. The business representatives were extremely approachable and welcoming, and made the morning a smooth-running success. Morning tea put on by Deloitte rounded out a rewarding and enriching professional development session for all involved.

The Professional Development Week ended on a high, with a visit to KPMG’s Melbourne office in the CBD. With many first and second year students in attendance, the wonderful team at KPMG informed members of the wide range of roles and opportunities available at the firm. These ranged from the Foundations program all the way through to the Graduate positions on offer.

During the day, members were provided with insight on the application process, with tips on how to prepare for and excel in the various behavioural interview questions, one of which included applying the STAR method. The visit to KPMG was also very interactive, as members were given the opportunity to practice interview questions, with valuable feedback provided.

A highlight of the day was the tour around the office, where members were able to get a sense of the culture within KPMG through the wonderful facilities and working spaces on offer to employees. The day was truly a success, with all attendees leaving with a valuable experience.

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CPA AUSTRALIA CASE COMPETITION The Accounting Students’ Association hosted its 2015 case competition with platinum sponsor: CPA Australia. A select number of teams took part in this competitive and exciting event. It was terrific to see participants from a variety of backgrounds and year levels competing. A panel of judges from CPA Australia assessed the high calibre presentations delivered by ASA members. The judging criteria included presentation, content, and the teamwork displayed in each respective team. The detailed case study provided by CPA Australia posed as an accurate representation of a common task required by professional accountants. A presentation pitching a forward thinking business strategy, outlining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and potential threats was required from all teams – all to be presented alongside a succinct slide show implementing visuals, such as graphs and charts, to strengthen the overall presentation. The workplace environment at the CPA Australia Office along with the strict time constraint allowed all participants to develop their critical professional skills. Hours of discussion were compressed into a 10-minute presentation, which tested every team’s time management skills. Despite having only a single winner, all teams gained invaluable first hand experience collaboratively presenting financial information in a formal setting. Additionally, by witnessing the presentations, every student scavenged useful methods of effectively engaging an audience. Overall, it was a rewarding experience for all participants, regardless of the outcome. All teams consolidated and tested an essential skill set comprising of teamwork, time management, critical thinking and presentation abilities. All of which are paramount to success in the corporate world. The winners of the 2015 CPA Australia Case Competition received both a cash prize and a copy of “The Naked CEO” by Alex Malley. In addition, as a reward for their efforts, CPA Australia awarded all participants with an official certificate of participation and a CPA Australia show bag.

Once again, we would like to congratulate Team Acconsultants for their innovative and informative presentation. Furthermore, ASA would like to thank CPA Australia for their time and effort in hosting another eventful case competition.

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES First-year Program After initial interest in professional opportunities from attending ASA events in first year, I successfully applied for the PwC Preview Program. Over the two days we developed and learned an essential set of skills and were given a number of presentations covering, interview techniques, resume writing and improving our personal brand through online networks. These techniques were later put the test as each of us were given the exciting opportunity to experience a mock case study and interview. The mock interview and case study were followed up with vital constructive feedback to help us improve for the real deal in assessment centres. Personally, the highlight of the PwC Preview program was the opportunity to individually shadow a PwC partner. I was able to witness firsthand the responsibilities and duties of my preferred service line at a partner level. Not only this, but I was able to interact and learn from such a friendly and successful accountant was extremely appealing. Overall, the PwC Preview Program was an incredible way to spend two days. The friendly employees and strong culture is something I will never forget. The valuable skills I learnt through the program will certainly be utilised to achieve my maximum potential in my future career. Anil Annamneedi

Vacation Program Over the summer holidays I completed a vacation program at EY in their Assurance service line. The program gave me the opportunity to take part in technical training, soft skills training and client work. Our first two weeks involved getting to know the other vacationers, working on group projects, finding out about the different opportunities EY has to offer, and taking part in many different training sessions.

We also had a social trivia night with all of the vacationers working at the firm, which gave us the chance to find out about what was happening in each of the different programs and to meet lots of new people. To cap off the program before the break, we also attended the EY Ball, which was a very fun night to be a part of in the program.

When we returned from the break, each of the vacationers were assigned to work at a client with their buddies. This was a first hand experience of what working in assurance would be like and for many we were able to understand the role of EY at firms in different industries. The vacation program was an extremely valuable experience, as it provided me with an insight into how the things we learn during our commerce studies fit into the roles available to us upon completion of our studies. Mariah Cartsidimas

Trainee Program I started my traineeship at PwC in February this year. I work in the Tax and Legal team, which I really enjoy. The change from full-time university to full time work and part time study seemed daunting at first, but my first six months have been a rewarding experience PwC has a very welcoming culture, so even though it was a steep learning curve everyone has been extremely supportive. Tax is an interesting area of work and with changing taxation laws it is important to keep up with the current news. I so far have had the opportunity to work with various major clients. My traineeship is structured so that I complete a full year of university, then work full time whilst studying part time for two years and then I will return to study full time for another year. This extends the three-year course out another year. I personally feel this is worthwhile as it allows me to get on the job training and gives me a different experience. During the university semester, I work four days a week and have one day off per a week to attend my university lectures and tutorials. It can sometimes be difficult to manage studying on top of work, however being organised allows me to fit everything I want into my schedule. Overall, it has been a rewarding experience and would definitely recommend it. Shankari Thananjeyan

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THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED:

A WORD FROM DAVID HUELSBECK The ever expanding and evolving range of career specializations presents a significant problem for jobseekers. Many writers and commentators have remarked on the frequency with which jobs unknown just ten years ago appear on lists of the best, fastest-growing or "hottest" jobs. By comparison, the choices facing Accounting graduates appear simple. Most focus on audit, tax or perhaps consulting. While popular for good reason, these public accounting pathways represent just a few of the available options.

Significant numbers of new Accounting graduates enter the profession along commercial accounting pathways. Many find positions with familiar titles in traditional functions such as internal audit and tax. However, the management-accounting function is increasingly decentralized and integrated into operating units. The evolution of the role managerial accounting is reflected in changes in job titles. Fewer are called “Cost Accountant” or “Management Accountant”. Progressively more hold positions labelled” Business Analyst” or “Financial Analyst”.

The responsibilities of these positions vary widely, creating additional challenges for new entrants. Job titles may reveal little of what positions entail. Many positions demand more than strong accounting skills. Required technical competences extend beyond accounting to include information technology and systems analysis. Further, most such positions demand nearly equal levels of business competence, especially critical thinking and the ability to communicate effectively with non-accounting colleagues. These broad competencies, desirable in all potential employers, weigh most heavily when hiring for a single position. Differentiation becomes critical to success.

Students begin to differentiate themselves through their choices of breadth subjects. Quantitative subjects, especially those involving information technologies are likely to be beneficial, but students should not overlook the potential of subjects in communications, languages and writing. Subjects in the natural sciences, combined with the strong economics core of the BCom, may be helpful in preparing Accounting students for emerging transdisciplinary roles in sustainability.

Coursework is not the only way to differentiate oneself. Accounting students should consider entering business-case competitions and experiential programs such as Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE). Participation in such programs provides valuable opportunities to demonstrate teamwork and apply the lessons learned in the classroom. Internships may be the ultimate opportunity to distinguish oneself and to demonstrate ability outside of the classroom, but competition for internships often rivals that for professional positions.

In the details, my own story holds little relevance to my students. My undergraduate education in Computer Science and Mathematics came well before my students were born. I did not sit my first formal class in Accounting until after I had worked in various professional capacities for more than a decade. Yet, my experience shapes my views on education and the profession.

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Though for very different reasons, I followed much of the advice given here. In addition to technical and quantitative subjects, I took advantage of a considerable number of subjects in the humanities. I pursued every opportunity for practical internships, stretching my four-year BSc to seven years. Liberal education paid tremendous personal dividends, enabling me to move beyond narrow technical roles to customer-facing positions in service, consulting and sales. This created unforeseeable opportunities. The highlight of my first career came when I was selected to support the first western-built supercomputer sold to the Peoples’ Republic of China in 1994. This afforded me the rare opportunity to live and work in Beijing for nearly three years at a time when few Americans were doing business in China. A mid-career MBA, a few more years of professional experience in accounting information systems and a PhD later, I am now on to my third career, country of residence and continent.

Had I adhered to a more traditional and more focused path as an undergraduate student, it is likely that I would have enjoyed an interesting and satisfying career as a programmer. I certainly would have spent more time earning and less time studying, at the considerable cost of fewer and far less varied professional opportunities.

The traditional professional pathways remain the first and best option for most. Public accounting promises professional training, structure and the ever- important professional network among other benefits. For those who by choice or necessity take the path less-travelled there may be more twists and turns, but it to be promises an interesting journey for those who embark well prepared.

David Huelsbeck - Teaching Fellow; Department of Accounting, Faculty of Business and Economics

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ALEX MALLEY CHIEF EXECUTIVE CPA AUSTRALIA 

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE

CAREER READY: YOU HAVE THE KEYS TO SUCCESS

If you expect to be graduating in 2015 or 2016, you will be facing a job market that is characterised by challenge and uncertainty, but also one that offers considerable opportunities for graduates who have taken the time to prepare themselves for life after university.

There are plenty of stories in the media about industries closing and jobs going off shore due to the high Aussie dollar and efforts to cut budgets, and there is little doubt that we will be seeing unemployment rates edging up in the next 12 months.

Of course, for students of the Australian (and indeed the world) economy, uncertainty is nothing new, and as a career professional, I have certainly seen the ebb and flow of graduate employment in recent years as major employers respond to the market and keep their workforce tailored to their needs.

Some graduates struggle in this environment to secure the kind of career start that they want, but others look for ways to differentiate themselves, and present themselves as the outstanding candidate who should be shortlisted for interview.

So how to take advantage of these uncertain times to get your foot in the door, and get a good start to your career? Here are a few ideas:

Start early Graduate recruitment seems to start earlier each year, and many final year students find that by the time they return to university and settle in, graduate program applications dates are rapidly closing. Check out the websites of your preferred employers and make sure you know when their grad programs open and close so that you can get your application in on time. Remember too that some companies assess applications as they arrive, so don’t leave it to the last moment to submit as they may have already completed their shortlisting.

Be prepared To be competitive, you need to be able to have all your documentation (resumes, draft cover letters, transcripts etc) ready to go. This means now is the time to revise these vital documents, and seek advice from a careers consultant if required, on how to prepare for the job market. Now is also the time to approach referees and get their consent before you add them to your application. A good tip is to send your referee a copy of your updated resume, and also give them an idea of when you will be applying for jobs, so that they are prepared in case they get a call from an employer.

Know the market Many students have a limited idea of where their skills might be in demand and while some of the well-known employers (like the Big 4 accounting firms) get thousands of applications, others in both the public and private sector find that they struggle to attract the kinds of candidates that they are after. While you might have a preference of where you would like to work, make sure that you also consider a

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range of other potential employers. What is important at this stage is to get your career started and gain experience post graduation, so even if the offer you receive is not from your preferred organisation, you have plenty of time to gain some experience and pursue your dream job in the future.

Engage with employers In a tough employment market, standing out from the crowd is important, and one of the best ways of doing this is learning how to engage with people whom you are seeking a job from. If there is a contact person that you can speak with, call them and ask some intelligent questions about the vacancy, and also make sure you use your name when you speak. Likewise, come prepared for on campus information sessions and career fairs, where you again have a chance to demonstrate not just your interest, but also the research you have done.

Follow up Everyone wants to be wanted! The best way to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm is to follow up with people and thank those that help you, whether it is your referees, the people who you speak to in companies, or some of the other people that assist you along the way to secure your career start. Ask recruiters about progress on your application, and thank them when they assist you – they won’t forget the courtesy that you are showing them.

And finally… Getting your career started can be difficult for some people, and it is easy to become discouraged and give up. What is important is to learn from every knock back, revise your documents and interview technique, and seek advice from professionals as well as family and friends so that your next application will be the one that secures your career start.

Melbourne Careers Centre is here to help Whether you are looking for advice on a résumé, tips to ace an interview, or a broader discussion on where your career might be heading, Melbourne Careers Centre offers a range of services to assist you. These include seminars and workshops through the year, a career drop in or bookable appointments to see one of our teams of career Consultants or Résumé Reviewers. We also have fairs on campus in 2015 and dozens of employer information sessions scheduled for the busy graduate recruitment season. Plus, don’t forget our website with plenty of online information and links, and Careers Online, the premier job site for students and graduates at the University of Melbourne. The Melbourne Careers Centre is located on Level 1 of the Alan Gilbert Building. Graham Habgood is a Career Consultant with Melbourne Careers Centre at the University of Melbourne.

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