When I left school I knew I wanted something to do with business – either helping businesses in an advisory capacity or owning my own. My firm provides modern accounting services to small and agribusinesses throughout New Zealand. I feel I am a natural problem solver, so I enjoy taking business owners’ problems and finding a solution.
I moved here from the UK with my Kiwi partner around four years ago for a lifestyle change. Moving country and changing from being an employee to running my own firm has been a challenge. However, I’m almost on the other side of it and feel proud of what I’ve achieved.
Technology has impacted my career massively, and for the better. It allows me to work from home, in a rural area, for businesses based at the other side of country, and to have a better work/life balance. The firms I worked for 10 years ago had massive physical filing systems taking up valuable office space. I had trays piled up with paper, so in order to perform most of my work, I really needed to be in the office.
As I live rurally, I find getting to face-to-face networking events difficult but I’ve found some really great support through accounting Facebook groups
Now, most firms I know all store their documents in the cloud and have paperless offices. It is great to see firms embracing technology and making the most of the efficiencies and flexibility that it offers.
Having a well supported professional network can be hugely beneficial for your career. It’s great to have a network of people with different levels and types of experience to use as a sounding board. As I live rurally, I find getting to face-to-face networking events difficult but I’ve found some really great support through accounting Facebook groups.
Covid-19 has obviously had a really big impact on business, politics and society in New Zealand. I love that more people are now supporting local businesses rather than purchasing products overseas. Online presence has been one area that New Zealand businesses have been lagging and it’s great to see progress being made in this area, too.
If I weren’t an accountant? I used to run a wedding venue business back in the UK, and myself and my partner also enjoy renovating properties, so perhaps I would be doing either of those things. But back in reality, I would like to see our client base grow and to become known as the go-to adviser for agribusinesses. Outside of work, I’d like to purchase a farm to bring our family up on.
