Getting involved helped open doors to graduate roles

Extracurricular activities make all the difference

Make the most of career and networking events and presentations, says Brittany Fitzpatrick, business advisory accountant (chartered accountant) at Findex.

It was at the AUT Business and Law Career Expo on campus that Brittany first met employees from Findex and started a conversation that later led to her being hired.

“It was very helpful to talk to employers and their team and ask questions to narrow down my options.”

Having extracurricular activities to chat about is always beneficial at these events, she adds.

“I had joined the AUT Investment Club and became vice president of the executive committee. I was also a peer mentor for business core papers, which led to a teaching assistant role in the accounting and finance department. These activities helped me come across as well-rounded, and that is really important.”

Fulfilling role

At Findex, a mid-tier financial advisory and accounting services firm, Brittany says her role is to help people understand how to translate their business numbers into useful information so they can make informed decisions.

She says communication skills are essential when dealing with clients.

“I’ve found having good interpersonal and relationship skills, including appropriate email and phone etiquette, is very valuable,” says Brittany.

The businesses she works with range from small to medium size across a variety of industries, such as hospitality, property, distribution and professional services.

It is that variety that makes public accounting so interesting, says Brittany.

“I’ve been here for three years, and I’m still constantly learning. I really enjoy the variety and problem-solving I am involved with daily.”

Brittany began as a graduate accountant, preparing financial statements and tax returns for clients at Findex.

“Now that I’ve been here a little while, I have more of a relationship with some clients who will ask for help or advice on things such as tax planning, budgeting, monthly reporting and Xero assistance. I really enjoy having more contact and the satisfaction of helping them directly.”

She also participates in discussions with partners and clients during annual review meetings that help clients understand what the numbers mean and provide meaningful advice for their businesses.

“The numbers tell a story and paint a picture of how the business is going financially.”

Gaining Chartered Accountancy status

Brittany says the biggest challenge as a new graduate was juggling her chartered accountancy (CA) study while adjusting and learning a lot in her role. She found working full-time and studying was quite different from fitting part-time work around full-time uni study.

“When I first started, it was a big adjustment with an 8am to 5pm (or longer) workday. With full-time work, there is less flexibility about how to plan your day and I found that tiring initially.”

However, she persevered because she wanted to gain chartered accountancy status to get a deeper understanding of accounting principles and business operations and develop her technical skills more.

And it is worth it, she says. Now, as a qualified chartered accountant, her career choices are wider and her earning potential is higher.

“Also, having CA after your name gives you credibility.”

She is also on the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) Auckland Emerging Leaders Committee, helping to set up and run initiatives, events and advocacy opportunities for young CAs. She attends events, speaks on panels, engages with members, students and universities, and assists with planning and promotion.

In this role, she can see even more clearly the advantages of getting involved in extra-curricular activities.

“They make a huge difference to your interpersonal skills, as well as your CV, and set you up well for the workplace.”

Events at AUT

Throughout the year, the AUT Employability and Careers service, as well as AUT faculties and university clubs, run a number of events, including career fairs, to help students meet with a wide range of industry and employers. Follow Brittany’s advice and keep an eye out for any event that may be of interest to you.

Want help to prep?

The Employability and Careers team run workshops throughout each semester on how to introduce yourself (elevator pitch), network and job search. You can find these workshops on elab.aut.ac.nz