Meet a Chartered Accountant...

Name: Belinda Lake CA Position: Business Analyst Organisation: Western Power

When choosing a major at university I sought a degree that was both relevant and flexible. In hindsight, accounting was the natural choice. Yet I initially resisted due to some stereotypes attached to the profession! At the end of my first year of university, I was able to undertake work experience after winning a Chartered Accountants Achiever award. I spent 4 weeks at Grant Thornton split evenly between Audit and Business Advisory which allowed me to get a feel for what I might do once completing university.

After my time at Grant Thornton, I did work experience with KPMG in their Insolvency division where I found my forte. Insolvency exposed me to a number of industries and businesses and allowed for an understanding about running businesses while providing me with variety and challenges on a daily basis. I wrote restaurant menus, managed mining equipment, negotiated with creditors, sold assets and liaised with employees and stakeholders.

When an interstate move was on the cards I found myself looking for a job in Darwin. I made the switch to Business Advisory and Management Consulting at KPMG’s Darwin office. While a completely new skill set was required for this role, I enjoyed the challenge and have picked up valuable taxation knowledge that I have been able to apply in my own life. The office was also a very fun and sociable environment, very representative of life in Darwin generally.

Working at KPMG was an advantage when it came to completing the Chartered Accountants Program. The support provided both by the company (study sessions, materials, and leave) and the other candidates within the organisation was a huge factor in successfully completing units. While the Program was challenging, and balancing work and study commitments was demanding, completion brought with it a definite sense of achievement. I believe the Chartered Accounting designation provides instant recognition of a high quality candidate to employers and a transportability and flexibility to career choices. I would, and have, recommended the Program to potential candidates.

Since returning to Perth 2 years ago, I have been employed with Western Power as a Business Analyst. I am part of a team that works with the engineers, project managers and technical personnel whose primary responsibility is the maintenance and expansion of the electricity infrastructure within South West of Western Australia. We have a strong improvement focus, with a lot of effort spent solving business problems and reviewing processes in order to make them more efficient. We provide financial training to the business and encourage a commercial focus to all decisions.

This role provides different challenges to those found in public practice and allows me to expand my skills. I have been able to learn about the workings of a new industry, apply my knowledge to make recommendations on a daily basis and help people who do not naturally have a finance focus. A fantastic work life balance means that the years of late nights studying have all been worth it.