Counting on Success: How accounting can lead to different career pathways

Understanding the exciting future career pathways available to you when contemplating study options allows you to make informed decisions. Accounting is more in demand than ever.

If you are a secondary school or tertiary student considering a major in accounting, a parent or a teacher, we invite you to join us to learn more about the landscape of the accounting profession and the many different career pathways it can lead to. Join us to hear from our panel, to help you understand the world of possibilities and what your future may hold.

We hope you enjoy the session!

Chaired by:
				Shailan Patel Education Manager, MYOB Shailan is passionate about helping students catapult from education into meaningful employment. Shailan is a graduate from the University of Bristol, England where he was born and raised, before moving to New Zealand in 2010. His career has been diverse, starting off in recruitment in London, in sales and advertising for three of NZ’s largest media companies, before joining MYOB in 2015 to manage their education channel across Australia and NZ. He loves how education is full of promise, ambition, and opportunity, and works with young people to help find success whatever their career path. Shailan is also on the New Zealand Association of Graduate Employers Board.
Panellists:
				Mark Nicholson Audit & Assurance Partner, BDO Auckland Mark Nicholson’s BDO story is one of growth. “I joined BDO Auckland as a graduate in 2011, undertook my CA, and was an audit senior on some large jobs before taking the chance to further develop through a secondment with BDO London. After three years in a manager role there, I returned in 2018 to a growing BDO Auckland, where I became a Partner in January 2024. Mark graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) and completed his CA studies with CAANZ and BDO, becoming CA qualified in 2014. Outside of life at BDO, Mark enjoys spending time with his young family, running around with his golden retriever, making the most of Auckland’s North West craft breweries, and he is attempting to work on his golf swing.
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				Brittany Fitzpatrick Accountant - Accounting & Business Advisory, Findex Brittany Fitzpatrick is an accounting professional with over three years of experience as an Accountant in Business Advisory at Findex and CA ANZ provisional member actively involved in shaping the future of the accounting profession. Brittany's commitment to education is reflected in her past roles as a Peer Tutor and Teaching Assistant at Auckland University of Technology, where she fostered academic growth within the Accounting & Finance departments. Formerly serving as Vice President of The AUT Investment Club, Brittany cultivated a community of finance students and enthusiasts. Currently, she is engaged in the CA ANZ Emerging Leaders Committee, where she contributes to shaping the next generation of leaders in the profession. As a CA ANZ speaker, Brittany shares her expertise and insights in the industry and the CA ANZ programme to aspiring accounting academics from high school students to University students, further establishing herself as a respected figure in the accounting profession.
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				Georgie Ludbrook Bachelor of Business in Accounting student and 2024 Co-President, AUT Accounting Association Georgie is a third-year accounting student who was appointed co-president of AAA last year! She initially chose accounting as she loves numbers and it seemed more appealing than finance. Since then though she has really grown to appreciate the profession. This is her last semester studying and she will be moving onto a graduate role at 2degrees in their finance team. In her free time, Georgie loves to take the opportunity to get out into nature, a walk through the NZ bush is always calming.
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				Muhammad Ali Bachelor of Business in Accounting student and CA Student rep Muhammad is a second-year accounting student who is also taking a data analytics minor. Fully committed to academic excellence and professional growth, after graduating from AUT he wants to pursue a Chartered Accountant degree to become more qualified. To upgrade his skills and knowledge in the accounting field, he is working with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand as their Student Representative. He is enjoying the opportunity to connect with different people in the industry and learn new skills. Muhammad is also working as a Technology Specialist for Warehouse Stationery which has helped him to become more confident and a better communicator. In his free time, Muhammad loves playing cricket and one day aims to represent the Blackcaps.

This event is in partnership with MYOB, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and BDO New Zealand.