Matthew Carroll CA

 

Northern Territory Young CA 2021

 

Matthew Carroll CA sees himself as the eyes and ears for his accounting community. A member of the Northern Territory CA committee since early 2019, he passes on what he hears and learns to the CA ANZ’s regional manager.

“Located within the NT, with a relatively small population spread across a vast area, it is important we still have a voice and as equal opportunities as those in the larger cities,” he says.

“Without volunteers putting their time in to be that voice, or even a communication channel between the members and the professional body, it is difficult to achieve these equal opportunities. I just want to do my part to assist.”

Carroll is a regular at CA events, and also helps younger CAs with university and career mentoring. At the end of 2019, he became a Young CA representative.

Carroll’s community work has included chairing the first Helping Migrants Succeed seminar for The Korean Association in Australia (NT) followed by another two seminars, where attendees benefited from Q&A sessions and hearing tips on how to create resumes and ace job interviews.

Carroll hopes that through his actions he can “encourage others within the community to continue to develop their own professional development and personal branding.”

 

Rahui Corbett CA

 

Lower North Island Young CA 2021

 

Morrison Creed advisory partner Rahui Corbett CA certainly pulls her weight. The Palmerston North local has been a Manawatu Young Accountants SIG committee member since 2013, a Manawatu Women Accountants SIG Committee member since 2014, and is on the Manawatu Local Leadership Committee.

“I want to learn from experienced CAs but, more importantly, help attract young talent to the profession,” she says.

Corbett developed an enthusiasm for teaching and training in a senior role at Audit NZ. After a stint at BDO, she joined Morrison Creed as a partner in 2013.

The firm sponsors the Young Enterprise Scheme program in the Manawatu. Corbett has presented to high-school students on careers in accountancy, and mentored teams through the program.

She also implemented a successful program to increase financial literacy for women in business, which ran for two years.

She is involved with several local boards and committees, from the Manawatu Chamber of Commerce to Camellia House, which offers emergency temporary housing for women and children.

“It means being able to give back to our community – working with clients in their businesses, helping them look at situations in a holistic way and solve problems,” she says.

 

Solomon Dalton CA

 

Upper North Island Young CA 2021

 

Community and helping people is the reason Solomon Dalton CA became an accountant. The father of five puts in the hard yards over and above his day job, strengthening Māori business and iwi, and helping rangatahi (young Māori) imagine different careers.

Of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Porou descent, Dalton works as part of the BDO Northland Māori Business Unit. His specialty is governance training for Māori organisations and cloud accounting solutions.

A big influence was his uncle – an accountant and the first in the whānau (family) to go through university – who showed him the importance of being a role model.

As well as volunteering on several community boards, Dalton mentors local school students who want to become accountants. He used to be on the board of Northland College and is still part of a team that attends career days.

BDO Northland also sponsors two Youth Enterprise Scheme awards and Dalton is one of the judges. He and BDO are working on a training scheme to bring in more young people for work experience.

“In part, it’s to change the perceptions of what it means to be an accountant, but it’s also about seizing an opportunity to strengthen Maori organisations from within,” he says.

Dalton also mentors local businesses and NFPs such as the Tahunakura Charitable Trust.

 

Patrick Doan CA

 

United Kingdom Young CA 2021

 

Sports clubs in both Australia and the UK have benefited from Patrick Doan CA’s give-back philosophy. He was treasurer and adviser for Old Trinity Grammarians Soccer Club in Melbourne from 2012 to 2017, and is currently sponsorship liaison for the London Swans Football Club.

Helping the wider community, Doan has volunteered as a steward at vaccination centres in London and cooked 150 meals for staff at a nearby nursing home.

After moving to London a little over four years ago, Doan wanted to stay connected to CA ANZ. He joined the UK Overseas Regional Council and made such an impression that he was voted in as deputy chair the year after joining. He became chair of the UK Young CA team in June 2020.

Doan has mentored many Australians in London, helping with their career progression and specialisation. “I believe giving back to the community in whatever profession, passion or interest is of importance because we’ve all taken from what we have been given,” he says.

Now an associate director at fund administrator SS&C Technologies, Doan is grateful for the opportunities being a CA has provided. That includes “the opportunity to move to London, explore Europe, make new friends, but also to get into hedge fund finance and being ‘head of Europe’ for my client recently.”

 

Joshua Duke CA

 

ACT Region Young CA 2021

 

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples,” said Mother Teresa. It’s an ideology Josh Duke CA believes in deeply.

As a proud Dunghutti man and chartered accountant, Duke enjoys promoting the profession to First Nations communities, and advocating for greater financial literacy through mentorship projects.

He also worked as a facilitator for Charles Darwin University’s pre-accounting program for Indigenous students in 2020, and has more widely worked as a mentor for First Nations CA candidates. (In 2021, there were only about 50 Indigenous accountants nationwide.)

Duke’s efforts have been acknowledged with the offer of a position as an Indigenous Accounting advocate for the ACT CA ANZ regional office. He also received an Indigenous Business Leaders scholarship in April 2021 from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Duke has worked as a consultant with Deloitte since 2018. He is also a director of the YMCA Canberra, sitting on its finance and risk subcommittee, and is treasurer of the Ausdance ACT board.

But that’s not the end of his activities. As deputy chair of the Young CA committee, Duke supports events and development opportunities across the Canberra region to encourage greater member engagement.

 

Waqas Durrani CA

 

Tasmanian Young CA 2021

 

Waqas Durrani CA says he’s “passionate about youth engagement, education and employment”. During his five years as a senior financial auditor at the Tasmanian Audit Office, he has taken on responsibility for mentorship of junior staff members.

In 2016, Durrani organised a Youth Networking Employer Bridging event with a grant from the Hobart City Council, creating opportunities for migrant, refugee and Indigenous youth to meet potential employers. That initiative directly led to employment opportunities with the police and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Durrani believes young CAs should exemplify CA ANZ values. “With the privilege of being a member of CA ANZ comes responsibility,” Durrani says. “I’ve always believed in giving back to the community as the necessary thing to do.”

Durrani came to the University of Tasmania from Pakistan in 2012 to complete a Master of Professional Accounting, and soon became involved with multicultural Australia.

From 2017-2019, he chaired the National Youth Committee for the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA). He was FECCA’s treasurer from 2019-2021 and, in conjunction with his role as chair of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, helped lobby for funds to assist migrants in need during the COVID crisis.

 

Chris McClelland CA

 

Hong Kong Young CA 2021

 

Chris McClelland CA is an active career mentor for a number of organisations, in addition to his successful career at Deloitte in both Australia and Hong Kong.

As well as mentoring young Deloitte professionals, he’s involved with the Network of Executive Women Mentorship Programme (NEW). McClelland says the significant pay and seniority gap between men and women in the workplace was his motivation to contribute to NEW.

He also mentors students at the University of Hong Kong to support their in-house consulting service to social enterprises such as Encompass HK, an organisation which addresses diversity, inequality and sustainability issues in Hong Kong and Asia.

And he has assisted with food distribution to homeless people and other charities.

“I have been so fortunate to have had a good education and diverse career and I want to be able to help and share my experiences with others,” he says.

Currently a senior manager in the Hong Kong Deloitte Consulting (Finance and Performance) practice, in mid-2021 McClelland will take up a new role at Adidas in the Footwear Sourcing Operations division.

McClelland is active in CA ANZ and was fundamentally involved in establishing the first Young CA subcommittee in Hong Kong, including leading the Young CA event plan and strategy for 2021.

 

Lisa Mead CA

 

South Island Young CA 2021

 

Lisa Mead CA believes strongly that every child deserves a fair future. That’s why her Christchurch accounting practice, Social Currency Investments, donates 10% of its revenue to rigorously selected charities supporting the most at-risk young people in the city.

As the name implies, social change is at the vanguard of her company’s business model. Mead has donated almost NZ$100,000 since setting up her company in early 2018 and believes the focus on charity has been good for business. Her goal is to use her work time 50% for profit, 50% for purpose.

Mead studied accounting through the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand and worked with KPMG New Zealand (2009-16) and then Kendons Scott Macdonald until mid 2018, before establishing her own firm to deliver positive social impact.

Along with her charitable giving, Mead is involved in the grassroots of her community. She has worked with vulnerable youth in East Christchurch and sat on the Hillview Christian School’s Home and School Association [PTA] for five years.

As well as being a CA speaker for Careers Engagement, Mead has mentored business students from the Ara Institute of Canterbury who have gone on to accounting and finance roles in other organisations. “Being able to combine people and numbers makes working in this profession a really rewarding experience,” she says.

 

Gayan Mendis CA

 

Queensland Young CA 2021

 

Gayan Mendis CA works to ensure the voice of young CAs is heard across CA ANZ. As chair of CA ANZ’s YCA Panel Member Engagement subcommittee, he hosts sessions during CA induction programs to welcome new provisional members.

“Being a CA, you naturally become part of a very special community which is always with you along your journey,” he says.

He also speaks regularly to high-school and university groups, promoting the CA career path, and has been a mentor in the QUT Career Mentor Program for more than a decade.

An alumni of KPMG, Mendis has spent the past five years as an investment finance manager at Queensland Investment Corporation, which is owned by the Queensland government.

He assists his community in different ways. He is a Justice of the Peace, and has regularly volunteered his time supporting the Starlight Foundation, the RSPCA, Orange Sky and other charities.

“To me, community is what connects people and provides unity towards achieving something for a greater cause,” Mendis says. “It is important to build knowledge and gain experiences through continuous development, which is ultimately what drives my passion for community involvement.

“The greatest satisfaction is in making a difference through community to shape the way for the next generations to continue to do the same,” he adds.

 

Jessie Pill CA

 

New South Wales Young CA 2021

 

On the Illawarra-South Coast regional committee from 2017 and chair since 2018, Jessie Pill CA is always keen to promote the CA ANZ brand at local events.

The national commercial manager at BlueScope is also pretty excited about mentoring a CA candidate at her workplace. Pill says this gives her the chance to give something back. “I not only get the chance to support existing CAs with growing their networks, continuing their professional development and connecting, but I can help guide emerging leaders on their path to a successful career.”

Giving back to her South Coast community is also big in Pill’s “get involved” mindset. She is treasurer or finance director of several local organisations, including Surf Life Saving Illawarra and the Oak Flats Bowling and Recreation Club..

Pill was originally interested in a career in law. But after completing an introductory accounting subject in her first year of university, she was seduced by the numbers game.

“I realised how much I loved applying accounting principles to solve a problem while also balancing the ledger, so I applied for a cadetship with KPMG,” she says.

She rates the CA Program as a game-changing career move. “The program challenged me, expanded my perspective and enabled me to develop skills that have helped me make a difference in my workplace and in the community.”

 

Laurensia Rosana CA

 

Western Australian Young CA 2021

 

Laurensia Rosana CA has contributed to a number of CA ANZ initiatives, committees and programs in Western Australia, including mentoring and assisting other members to engage with the not-for-profit (NFP) sector.

She volunteers as a speaker at schools and tertiary institutions to encourage young people to consider accountancy as a career, and is involved with CA ANZ’s work placement Achiever Program.

And as an enthusiastic advocate for the NFP sector, Rosana has been instrumental in developing the CA ANZ NFP Board Experience Program, including interviewing mentees, approaching potential mentors and promoting the program.

She has chaired events as a member of the YCA Panel, gathered feedback to improve the NFP program, and created key program resources, such as the handbook for mentor and mentee participants, which is now used across Australia.

Seeing her work affect the lives of real people is rewarding and a strong motivator. “In my work, I focus on social inclusion and creating a sense of belonging,” she says.

As finance manager at Australian Inclusion Group, she is on a team that provides inclusion and community development services across the country. But Rosana is not resting on her achievements. She wants to gain new skills to remain relevant and broaden her network.

 

John Savvas CA

 

South Australian Young CA 2021

 

John Savvas CA started a student association at the University of South Australia to connect with CA ANZ before he even entered the CA Program.

“I’ve been very enthusiastic about the profession ever since I commenced basic accounting studies in Year 11,” he admits.

Since 2018, Savvas has been a member on the YCA Panel in South Australia, and he has continued to grow his efforts to develop other young CAs.

He began guest lecturing at the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia to final-year students to help promote CA ANZ and the opportunities it provides. In 2021, he began a new mentor role with the UniSA Mentor Program.

“It is extremely important to continuously give back and to ensure current and future CAs remain engaged,” he says.

Savvas has worked for Deloitte and Westpac in risk and compliance, and is now with entertaining and gaming company SkyCity as an optimisation manager.

His advice to other young CAs? “Take a risk,” he says. “If an opportunity arises, such as a new job or trying something new, you should take it. If you feel uncomfortable, that’s a good thing. It means you are learning something new and acting outside your comfort zone. Never become complacent.”

 

Danny Whyte CA

 

Victorian Young CA 2021

 

Working for small firm Tim Gubbins Chartered Accountant in Shepparton, Victoria, Danny Whyte CA has used his accounting skills for the benefit of his community in many ways.

As treasurer for his local hockey club, Whyte implemented invoicing to improve fee collection processes. He has also worked as chairperson of the finance committee within his local church [St Mel’s Catholic Church] and led a restoration project to increase the longevity of the heritage site.

He is secretary and the youngest member of the FamilyCare board and has helped the NGO to make smart investment choices for the future of its service to the region.
He has also taught financial literacy classes and promoted the CA profession to a local college; his practical budgeting activities are now part of its curriculum.

“When I did the CA Program it set me up to succeed,” Whyte says. “It gave me a methodology and thought process to be able to go onto boards and work in public practice and to come up with practical solutions to not just help clients but to help the community.

“It was a lot of time, a lot of late nights, but it is paying dividends.

“You go off and join boards and do community work to help people. The projects I’ve been able to implement at the firm and in the Goulburn Valley have benefited so many people.”

 

Boon Kin Wong CA

 

Malaysian Young CA 2021

 

Boon Kin Wong CA is intent on giving his all to his profession and his community. As well as regularly participating in both CA ANZ and Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) events, Wong is involved in outreach programs providing food to the needy and helping other groups such as the homeless and the elderly.

He has also been deeply involved in encouraging and training aspiring accounting students in Malaysia.

“This dynamic profession is an ideal platform for younger people to grow and develop themselves and contribute back to society,” he says.

Wong began his own accounting career in 2010 at Ernst & Young, Kuala Lumpur, before moving to a small accounting and auditing firm in 2014 to gain experience in other accounting disciplines.

After obtaining his companies’ audit licence in 2017, he started his own accounting and audit practice in Kuala Lumpur.

Wong says his passion for accountancy stems from his belief that it is an essential language and skill set, required by all forms of commerce, government, businesses and entrepreneurship.

He networks with accountants in all those areas through his CA ANZ and MICPA activities, including as a member of the Technical and Small-Medium Practices subcommittee under the CA ANZ Overseas Regional Council (Malaysia).

 

Alecia Wright-Chand CA

 

Central North Island Young CA

 

Alecia Wright-Chand is keen to share her experience and knowledge as a Māori woman within the accounting profession.

A CA ANZ member since 2016 and a member of the Waikato local committee for five years. the Fonterra accounting services manager presented on “Auditing in the Māori Environment” at the 2017 Ngā Kaitatau Māori o Aotearoa (National Māori Accountants Network) conference in Waitangi. She also contributes her expertise to her iwi by sitting on the board of Ngāti Awa Group Holdings as an associate director.

Her advocacy of CA ANZ to young accountants has been constant and prolific. At Deloitte, where she worked for 11 years, Wright-Chand mentored some 30 candidates through the CA Program.

“It’s a rewarding experience to be a part of giving back by shaping the new generation of CAs development and growth,” she says.

As point of contact with CA ANZ’s Hamilton office, she is involved with events organised by the University of Waikato and Wintec. She also regularly attends career expos to promote the profession and CA ANZ.

“As a CA, our exposure is no longer limited to a traditional accounting mindset but is much more diverse,” she says. “I have tried to use this knowledge to help my volunteer work – by providing a unique lens that combines analysing the numbers with understanding the drivers of the entity.”

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Words by
Seamus Byrne
Alex Johnson
Jordan Manning
Paul Robinson

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