Accounting graduates today find their skills are in huge demand, not just in New Zealand but globally.

There is an ongoing shortage of accountants and it is projected to keep growing. The USA Congress moved this year to have Accounting included in the STEM subjects. Along with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Accounting has been identified as a subject that underpins the world we live in and impacts many areas of society. The world needs more accountants!

In New Zealand, much is being been made of the need to teach personal financial literacy. This is admirable!! But what about financial literacy for organisations? Every organisation, be it a business, high school, sports club, church, hospital, Government department or ballet theatre, absolutely needs people who understand the financials, who can tell the story behind the figures and offer business advice. This financial literacy comes through an Accounting qualification.

An Accounting qualification opens up a world of possibilities for our students: being able to work in the area of their passion, overseas travel, remote working, running their own business, knowing how to build personal financial security and independence. The list goes on.

In 2021 at Riccarton High School, we decided to run an information evening to update our parent and student community on the world of Accounting, what it means to be an accountant today and the multiple, interesting career pathways an Accounting qualification offers.

Originally scheduled for Wed 25 Aug, lockdown intervened at the last minute and it wasn’t until Wed 3 Nov that we were able to get the evening underway.

We were very fortunate to have two very approachable and entertaining senior lecturers from the University of Canterbury (Rob Vosslamber – Accounting and Alistair Hodson – Taxation) come along and share valuable information about their subject areas and some examples of careers their students have moved into. They also regaled us with stories about their own career journeys. Jonie Chang of Support Services took us through the array of student care services available within the Commerce faculty.

This was followed by presentations from Jane Glentworth (Manager – Deloitte Private, Canterbury) and recent graduates, Hannah and Lydia, who took us through their university years and what their Accounting roles at Deloitte have been to date.

A big thank you goes out to our presenters for giving of their time and making our evening so worthwhile. We look forward to running a similar evening in 2022.

Students who would like to know more about studying Accounting at Riccarton High School can contact Mr Wedlake throughout the school day.