Meet a Chartered Accountant...

Name: Jason Gent CA Position: Assistant Manager Organisation: KPMG

I work as an auditor in the middle market division of KPMG. The majority of my time is spent leading engagement teams and assisting junior staff to complete client engagements, as well as responding to regular client queries.

The most enjoyable aspect of my career is working with people and applying the skills I have learnt, both through the Chartered Accountants Program and working in a Chartered Accounting firm, to the unfamiliar and complex situations that my job often presents. Completing each module of the Program broadened my knowledge which has helped me to better understand and perform my job.

I was attracted to the Program due to the range of opportunities it creates for its candidates. The following reasons drove my decision to undertake the Program:

• It is one of the most widely recognised and respected qualifications for anyone in business
• The designation is a valuable tool to make it to the top in any organisation
• Your qualifications are recognised globally.

Although the Program is both challenging and time consuming, candidates really only get out what they put in. Anyone planning to undertake the Program needs a good support network of peers and accomplished Chartered Accountants. This network should be used to discuss relevant issues as you go through the Program. The guidance of my peers and mentors were the most valuable resource I had during the Program.

A career as a Chartered Accountant can be both demanding and rewarding. However I still had time to enjoy my favourite activities such as; fitness and outdoor activities, going to the beach, dining out with friends, movies, music, travel and reading. Chartered Accountants are able to achieve a great work/life balance through flexibility in working arrangements and I believe they achieve greater autonomy than professionals in other fields.

Completing the Program has helped me to succeed in life both professionally and personally. Since becoming a Chartered Accountant I have realised many of my career aspirations and continually have new opportunities presenting themselves. If I had my time over again, I would not change anything about my career. I firmly believe becoming a Chartered Accountant was the best path for me.

The best advice I can give to someone thinking about becoming a Chartered Accountant is to make sure you are 100% committed to completing the Program. It may be a challenging course of study, but the benefits you receive continue for the rest of your working life.