United by the kaupapa (focus) of growing the Indigenous economy globally, Te Hui Taketake a Te Puna Tahua Toa, an Indigenous business summit held in New Zealand in July 2024, saw participants from across Canada, the United States, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand share their perspectives on strengthening their Indigenous culture, language and traditions, both in the wider community and business worlds.

Beyond this, a significant amount of korero (conversation) centred on growing the pipeline of Indigenous talent in the accounting profession. While demand for the skillset of chartered accountants is increasing, there is a challenge in growing a pipeline of talent into the profession, particularly among those who identify as Māori, Pasifika, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

CA ANZ was proud to support this with a panel session called ‘Empowering Indigenous Talent’, featuring members Glenn Hawkins FCA, Jennifer Tupou CA, Ben Eisikovich CA and Amy Wharakura-Taewa CA. The panellists shared the perspectives, including their successes, and what action needs to be taken.

Growing talent from kura (school) up

“From a pure iwi organisation perspective, we need to actively reach out to our people. We can’t sit back and expect them to come to us,” says Amy Wharakura-Taewa CA, CFO of Waikato Tainui.

“We’re committed to building our pipeline for the future, as our iwi organisation is going to be here forever – we’re not going anywhere. So, we have to ensure that we have a pipeline of people coming back, because our finance area is quite massive within our organisation.

“And that’s about collaborating with the likes of the big four, with the likes of GHA, because I know our people are in those areas training. There’s an opportunity to say to them, ‘Hey, once you’re finished, there’s an opportunity to come back to the tribal organisation as well’.”

Creating pathways for those with existing experience

Ben Eisikovich CA, vice-chair of CA ANZ’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Member Panel, called for better recognition and training for experienced Indigenous bookkeepers and accountants.

“When I think of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, a lot of them have bookkeepers, people from the community, that have been with that entity for a long time, doing more than a traditional bookkeeper would do. Upskilling those people that are providing that crucial advice for the community is important,” he says.

“Also, having the body [CA ANZ] support the youth journey is important, and making sure we’re getting out there and promoting their stories. Figuring out how we can talk about accounting in a simple way and remove the complexities around it, to promote it.”

Jennifer Tupou CA, group chief financial officer and director of corporate services at The Fono, a health provider, said that while some Pasifika youth thrived in the professional environment of big firms, others were not drawn to it – and those are the young people that she is engaging.

“I recruit Pasifika business graduates through community engagements and not from the big four. I have an interest in graduates who have not embarked on their CA pathway where I can provide them with the opportunity, within the Pasifika environment, to work in accounting and finance, and to provide the on-the-job coaching they need. This includes mentoring them towards a professional pathway.

“Data [on Pasifika CA membership] from the institute is really helpful, and I would like to see more of that. If we put that out to the communities, showing the opportunities and lack of Pasifika members, we can use that to advocate and recruit.”

A collective responsibility to strengthen the future

Glenn Hawkins FCA is the founder and partner of GHA Chartered Accountants and Management Consultants, a firm that has grown from two to 30 employees since 2005, with a kaupapa (focus) on empowering Māori organisations.

“This problem – the need for more Māori accountants – is just going to grow,” he says. “We all need to come up with solutions and everyone in this room could be mentoring someone, bringing them through, schoolkids through in the profession – it’s a collective responsibility.

“Certainly, a dedicated role through CA ANZ to bring more Māori through the profession, through kura (schools) and through the university system is needed. There are some students right here in front of me and there’s tremendous opportunity within our profession. I think it’s a collective responsibility.”

“Showcasing the pathway is important,” concludes Amy. “It’s a foundational skill for CEOs and board directors – a lot of them will have a CA background. Being an accountant is potentially not just the endgame.”

CA ANZ financial support for Indigenous students

CA ANZ offers a variety of scholarships to support high school and university students of Māori, Pasifika, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, who intend to study the CA Program. Some applications are open now, and close on 8 September 2024.