Grant Ellis FCA describes himself as “the accidental accountant.”

“I went to university intending to study joint degrees in commerce and law,” he says. “Then, at the last minute I dropped law and continued with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting. I’ve never regretted it, but I’d really like to make accounting first choice rather than an ‘accident’ for subsequent generations.”

Recently retired, Ellis’s accounting career was primarily in the corporate sector, progressing through various roles in New Zealand corporates to the position of CFO for NZX- and ASX-listed company Restaurant Brands NZ Limited. In 2019, he was awarded the Deloitte New Zealand CFO of the Year.

Ellis is a fellow of CA ANZ and received the Meritorious Service Award in 2022. He also managed to fit in a successful 21-year career with the military reserves, serving as both commanding officer and honorary colonel of the Auckland Battalion.

“I’m a very strong proponent of all that a military career can bring to your day job,” he says. “You gain so many transferable skills, such as leadership, teamwork, how to deal with difficult people, developing strategy and how to handle adversity. You also get to know people from all walks of life who might not otherwise cross your path.”

“Both my military and accounting careers have given me a broad array of interests, experiences and contacts, and I believe that’s very important.”

His family’s involvement with the army stretches back over five generations and he currently has two sons serving in the military.

“I also have three brand new grandchildren,” he says. “I wonder whether they’ll decide to follow the same path? I’d certainly like them to become accountants!”

Building on strengths

Passionate about both the organisation and the accounting profession, Ellis is looking forward to building on CA ANZ’s many strengths during his year in office. He will be concentrating on three priorities: completion and implementation of the CA ANZ strategic plan, working to change the public perception of accounting as a profession, and widening the pathways to entry by welcoming members who haven’t necessarily studied the conventional subjects in their tertiary education.

Priority 1: The strategic plan

His first priority is to complete CA ANZ’s new strategic plan.

“Our last five-year plan guided our organisation to its current strong position, but now I think it’s time to find a new north star,” he says. “The new plan is well underway, with plenty of input and lots of consultation, but I want to see it through to completion and mobilisation.”

Priority 2: Shift the perception of accounting

Ellis’s second priority is to spread the word that accounting is an attractive and rewarding profession to choose.

“Maintaining future growth is a continuing challenge,” he says. “We need to bring more young people into the profession, and that means revising outdated perceptions that accountants just sit in a dark office poring over spreadsheets all day. Within the profession we know that accountants are very much at the centre of any organisation, from commercial enterprises to not-for-profit entities and government bodies. There are great job prospects, and opportunities for travel or working overseas.

“Accountants are also very much in demand and no organisation can operate without financial expertise. We need to get the message to young people that the profession is exciting and dynamic. There’s a lot of work to be done, but with everyone pushing in the same direction I believe it’s doable.”

Priority 3: Alternative pathways

The third priority is to bring more members in through alternative pathways.

“I’m a great believer in the benefits of the Flexible Pathways opportunities introduced last year,” he says. “This helps candidates from diverse backgrounds, or whose undergraduate degree is in a subject other than accounting or business and not necessarily from a university. Apart from creating a larger pool of potential members, this can introduce fresh ideas and wider views of the world into the profession – and it’s something I’d like to push hard for during my year as president.”

Outdoor pursuits

Beyond his professional life, Ellis is looking forward to spending time with his grandchildren while continuing his favourite leisure activities. A graduate of the Outward Bound program, he loves spending time outdoors.

“I enjoy most outdoor activities such as cycling and tramping,” he says. “I do a bit of sailing and I’ve also been known to ski occasionally. For my next break I’m heading off on a cycle tour of Nelson Lakes.”

He’s also looking forward to meeting CA ANZ members at various functions throughout the year.

“CA ANZ exists primarily for the benefit of its members,” he says. “I’ll be very interested to hear how it works for them and about anything they’d like to change.”

Read the first letter from your 2025 CA ANZ president here.