Tim Chapman
CA Director, Herbert Morton, Cambridge

Could you describe your career journey to date?

My dad was an accountant and that’s what initially inspired me. I have also always had a fascination with numbers. I studied a Bachelor of Management with a major in accounting at the University of Waikato and became a CA in 2013. Since 2018, I have been with Herbert Morton and in January, I became one of three directors.

Why was the CA Career Mentoring program important for you at this time?

I signed up in late 2022, as I was on the precipice of a new opportunity and I needed some honest, third-party advice for my own peace of mind. I needed to talk this through, so I had confidence that I was making the right decision. David proved to be the ideal person to guide me.

How did the mentoring relationship evolve with David?

In our first meeting, I realised the advice I was after was the career experience David has had. Our meetings were pretty informal – we only met three times, usually over a drink or a meal. I would ask questions or pose a scenario to David, and then sit back and listen to all he had to say. It was exactly what I needed.

What were the main issues you wanted to explore?

It was about career progression, focusing on should I go into a partnership, or go out on my own? And if I stepped into the partnership, what were the pros and cons of taking over from a retiring partner, how to make the transition and, ultimately, make the role my own? We explored the ways to deal with these issues before I made my decision. 

Hearing his insights about a similar situation David was in years ago was so important. He gave me homework between sessions, and that made me more reflective about where I was at and where I wanted to go.

How did David’s mentoring impact on making that decision?

Hearing his insights about a similar situation David was in years ago was so important. He gave me homework between sessions, and that made me more reflective about where I was at and where I wanted to go. A lot also came down to improving my communication skills to express my ideas and opinions.

How did the mentoring program reach a conclusion?

David said I could text or call him anytime with questions and while that was reassuring, I never felt I needed to. Once I made the decision to join as a director, I had already worked through with David the many questions I had.

Was this mentoring program ultimately worth it?

I got out of it what I needed and quite a bit more, as David made me look at my future in a range of different ways. I would like to do this program again in a few years, but next time as a mentor. Maybe my experiences will help someone in the future.

David Waine
CA Director, Matley Accounting, Hamilton

Could you describe your career journey to date?

I went into public practice in 2000 and became accredited as a CA in 2003. In my first accounting job, I had a great mentor who helped guide the way. When I was considering going into corporate, he told me it wouldn’t suit me and I was currently on a better path. He was right and I’ve been in public practice ever since.

When did you join the CA Career Mentoring program?

It’s been 10 years. Because I had such a great mentor, I wanted in turn to help people who were in the same position when I was trying to work out my career path. So much of the early years of accounting is tightly structured and after that a lot of people wonder where to head next. That’s where I felt I could add value.

What was your reaction when you were assigned Tim as a mentee?

Tim was my 10th mentee and l always seem to be assigned the people who want to work out their next steps in public practice. Tim had the opportunity to become a partner in his practice but was unsure if he wanted to go out on his own. I had been in that same situation, so we spoke a lot about the lessons I learned through my own process.

How did the mentoring relationship evolve?

I am not a templated person – I love a discussion that goes off in all directions. We highlighted what Tim wanted and talked honestly about why three can potentially be a bad number in a partnership, as well as what he could do to make it work.

So much of the early years of accounting is tightly structured and after that a lot of people wonder where to head next. That’s where I felt I could add value.

What made the mentorship between you work?

It’s about listening to what is not being said. I understood Tim’s reservations, so we spoke about how those could be addressed. The common theme with mentoring is the person is at a crossroads and needs someone who, 10 years ago, was in a similar situation and can offer lessons on how to navigate the roadblocks.

How did the program wind up?

We had the three meetings and that was it. I finished up the program by saying, ‘I am always here if you need me’, but Tim seemed to work it out well on his own.

What do you get out of mentoring?

I like looking at accounting from a different perspective and seeing accounting as a tool to where people want to go, instead of being the outcome.

Why is mentoring important?

Deep down, I think we’re all worried we’re going to stuff it up in our work. What mentoring says it’s OK to stuff up, as you do learn from it. Keep moving forward and it becomes an important part of your skill set to make you a better accountant.

Register for CA Career Mentoring

CA Career Mentoring is a six-month CA ANZ program that matches mentors to mentees, to help mentees achieve their career goals or overcome challenges. There are specific programs for early and mid-career, return to work, and practice peer support. The next intake of CA Career Mentoring starts in October 2024. To register as either a mentor or a mentee, visit CA Career Mentoring.