Date posted: 01/02/2019 5 min read

Meet a CA | Dr Nives Botica Redmayne FCA, Vice-President New Zealand

New Zealand vice-president for 2019, Dr Nives Botica Redmayne FCA, says she took a “non-traditional” path into accounting, despite it being in her genes.

In Brief

  • Nives Botica Redmayne FCA wants to use the knowledge she has gained through educating young people to promote the worth of a CA designation for business careers.
  • She is keen to harness technology to engage with potential CA ANZ members.
  • A senior lecturer in accountancy at Massey University, Botica Redmayne admits she always wanted to be an auditor when she grew up. #AuditorProud

Dr Nives Botica Redmayne FCA approaches accounting from a different angle to many CA ANZ members. A senior lecturer in accountancy at Massey University in Palmerston North, Botica Redmayne teaches advanced auditing and advanced financial reporting courses to undergraduates and postgrads.

Her main area of research and expertise is assurance, in particular the economics and production of assurance services.

She also sits on the New Zealand Financial Markets Authority Audit Oversight Committee, and has helped develop professional standards, guidance and policies for auditors and regulators in New Zealand.

But for Botica Redmayne, theory and practice go hand in hand. She knows the practical value of the CA designation for young people pursuing a business career, and as New Zealand vice-president and chair of the New Zealand Regional Council, she is keen to give younger CAs a potent voice.

Find out more about her passions and goals for 2019.

Dr Nives Botica Redmayne FCA

What would you personally most like to achieve in your year ahead as vice-president?

I have two passions – education and youth, which includes the new and incoming members of our profession.

I work in the education sector so I understand the dynamics and challenges of educating young people and mentoring them into our profession. I also understand new technologies to deliver accountancy curriculum and to engage the young and the potential CA ANZ members.

My “non-traditional accounting” background (my first degree was in economics and finance) provides me with the understanding of how bridging the degrees and specialisations works, and how important it is to gain the CA designation as part of a career in business. So the current CA ANZ CA X and CA X Flexi-paths initiatives are very close to my heart and I am very interested in the ways to futureproof our profession.

What has been your proudest achievement as a council member to date?

Representing our members, especially giving a voice to our young members, and contributing to the governance of our professional body.

What is one benefit of CA membership you wish more members took advantage of?

Building on our great brand, connecting across regions. Collectively we have tremendous potential to influence and contribute.

What do you see as the most important issue for the future of the profession?

We need to futureproof our profession. We need to thrive in the times of constant change.

“I am a third-generation accountant and I think the first words that I would have heard my mum and dad speak would have been ‘debit’ and ‘credit’.”
Dr Nives Botica Redmayne FCA

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt about how to achieve strategic goals?

Work as a team, and harness the passion of all involved.

What’s on your summer reading/viewing list?

Quiet by Susan Cain, which is about the power of introverts. Nevidljiva žena [The Invisible Woman], a collection of short stories by Croatian author Slavenka Drakulić, and Divljakuša [Savage Woman] by Marina Šur Puhlovski, another Croatian writer.

What do you like to do for fun or to unwind?

I love the arts, especially the performing arts. So, a good show, dance, gallery visit is me. I also dance tap (occasionally). Other than that, I love to travel and meet people.

When you were young what did you want to be when you grew up?

Believe it or not (this is going to sound funny) – I always wanted to be an auditor – #Auditor Proud. I am a third-generation accountant and I think the first words that I would have heard my mum and dad speak would have been ‘debit’ and ‘credit’.