ASA+ 2021 Publication by Accounting Students Association Macquarie University

ACCOUNTING STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

2021

ASA+ UNIVERSITY AND CAREER GUIDE Make the most of out of your degree Career tips and tricks Job opportunities

Contributors

Alec Ma Amylou Chakuzira Andrei Anislag Angus Ng Bada Lee Cheryl Kwon Chris Jerylle Claire Ho Damian Sutrisno Elly (Jingrong) Zhang Kelly Phu Kingston Wong Hamza Siddiqui Hanh Do Harpreet Singh Karl Mabulay Keith Jiang Kerry Ngo Letizia Phung Michael Tran Myuri Kuganathan Rijwa Abbas Sarah Horton Sze Kay W Vanessa Leonardo William Noh

Editors

Alec Ma Amylou Chakuzira Elly (Jingrong) Zhang Karl Mabulay Kerry Ngo Kingston Wong

Design & Layout

Karl Mabulay Elly (Jingrong) Zhang Letizia Phung William Noh

Special thanks to

ShineWing Chartered Accountants ANZ Jaya Kandasemy Darren Sutrisno Grace Chau

Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Accounting Students Association or Macquarie University. Although the Editors have taken every care in preparing and writing the Guide, they expressly disclaim and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, misuse or misunderstanding on the part of any person who uses or relies upon it. The editors, Accounting Students Association and any persons related to this publication accept no responsibility for any damage, injury or loss occasioned to any person or entity, whether the Accounting Students Association members or otherwise, as a result of a person relying, wholly or in part, on any material included, omitted or implied in this publication.

President's Welcome We at Macquarie Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Accounting Students Association (ASA) would like to welcome you to the third edition of ASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual university and careers guide. This publication was produced by a group of passionate, dedicated and career-driven students with the aim of assisting their peers in gaining exposure to numerous professional and self-development opportunities. At ASA, we have all personally experienced both the successes and difficulties of university. With the world rapidly changing and COVID-19 affecting all aspects of life, we at ASA understand the worries not of knowing what will come next. Our university and careers guide is an extension of our mission to help students smoothly transition from high school to tertiary education, kick start their professional careers and encourage selfdevelopment in students. We at ASA aim to help strengthen the bridge between the education and corporate industries by providing numerous opportunities for eager students to not only foster lifelong relationships but have the chance to develop professionally. With the amazing support of our sponsors and ASA alumni, our publication provides members with quality and relevant university, industry and job application content to help you succeed in your future career. Regardless if you are in the first year or final year of your degree, we hope that this university and careers guide will provide you with insights into the numerous opportunities available whilst you are at university. To wrap things up, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all of our sponsors, alumni and members for their continuous support of ASA and all of our endeavours. We will strive to continue having a positive impact on student life and engagement both on and off-campus. Additionally, we will continue to provide a community where students can thrive in a supportive environment filled with leadership and career opportunities. On behalf of the executive and sub-committee team at ASA, we thank you for all the support and we can not wait to show you what else we have in store for our members in 2021! Stay safe and happy reading!

Kingston Wong | President, Accounting Students Association

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Editor's Note University is an opportunity to learn more about yourself while making memories. You can meet lifelong friends, enjoy experiences and find the path to your future. That said, it's also essential to prioritise your progress and productivity, practise discipline and build good habits you can carry into adulthood and the business world. For those in first year, this newfound freedom can lead to overcoming challenges and changing habits, especially when it comes to your coursework. That's why it is essential to develop a good mindset from the start. ASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team understands the importance of stress relief and wishes to help them in every way possible. Therefore, ASA is proud to announce our publication of 2020/21 University and Career Guide full of information on how to maximise your potential at university. This publication has been designed by students for students; giving an opportunity to look beyond university with a range of relevant topics such as: Pathing your way into the business world Building up a resume Starting up your LinkedIn profile Opportunities for both international and postgraduate students Through the dedication of the ASA team, we have done our best to bring you tips and tricks pathing your way into the business world, building up a resume and starting up a Linkedin profile that can help you land those interviews and providing students with opportunities all year round. ASA wishes all students the best of luck in completing their degree and job searching. Alec Ma | Vice-President, Accounting Students Association

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The Team and You Who, What and Why ASA? As the Accounting Students Association (ASA), our society acts as the bridge between the students and the corporate world. We provide our members with professional events where they are able to learn from industry professionals, meet like-minded students, networking with corporate professionals and gain a competitive advantage when applying for jobs.

Who? We are a faculty-based student society at Macquarie University looking to provide networking opportunities and help students engage with like-minded peers in the business and accounting faculties. Our objective is to provide events and workshops that link them to corporate networks and add value. This, in turn, will aid them in achieving their personal and professional endeavours. Through partnerships with professional organisations, we connect students with industry professionals, offer networking opportunities and provide resources to enhance their knowledge, wisdom and business experience. Whether you are undergraduate or postgraduate, there is a spot for everyone at ASA!

ASA 2020/20201 Executive Team

What? Founded in July 2010 by a group of accounting students, we are eager to develop and create a dynamic community - with the main focus to provide job opportunities to its student member base. Our focus is to provide students with connections to professional Accounting institutions and organisations. Our events are split into professional and social events to connect its members with job recruiters, professional accounting bodies and academics. Most professional events are run in collaboration with external partners such as EY or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA); while social events are run by ASA members such as games night, study night on Discord. Students can refer to either Discord #Welcome description or other official description of ASA to be further informed. Over the years, ASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events included Excel and resume workshops, interview preparation, as well as games night, networking sessions and information sessions presented by industry professionals, alumni institutions and ASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s members.

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Why? ASA provides an abundance of opportunities for all students involved, irrespective of your degree. By surrounding yourself with individuals on the same path, it strengthens the development of soft skills through a network of student peers, corporate sponsors, and other valuable stakeholders. Oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professional development will also progress as there are opportunities to receive exposure to ASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social and corporate events, a chance to participate in the writing of annual publications and the great opportunity of being part of the ASA sub-committee. Furthermore, ASA presents the opportunity for all students to personally grow and contribute to our work by joining our team of executive and committee members. Becoming a member of our sub-committee allows students to develop both socially and professionally, add to their CV, and potentially advance to an executive or committee member role. To gain priority access and benefit from ASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events and resources, sign-up online at asamacquarie.com or inperson during O-Week. The $5 membership fee can be paid during sign-up or at one of our events, and stay connected with all things ASA by speaking with us during our events or liking our Facebook page.

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Joining the Sub-Committee Team Keen to maximize your university experience? Join ASA’s sub-committee team! Find out why and how here.

But First, What is the Sub-Committee?

Why Should I Join?

Our sub-committee generally comprises of ASA members who help to plan, promote, and run ASA’s events and the society in general. When applying for a sub-committee role, students have the opportunity of joining one or more of our teams – Secretary & Events (S&E), Marketing & Publications (M&P), Human Resources (HR), or Treasury.

Becoming a part of ASA’s sub-committee team offers a wide range of benefits. Sub-committee members can enhance their skills and knowledge - a fantastic opportunity for their personal development. Becoming a team player, clear communicator, and savvy problem solver are some of the key attributes which ASA can help you to improve upon. Such skills are of great value to employers. As such, your time at ASA is an experience you can add to your resume to differentiate yourself from other candidates when applying for jobs and internships.

What Does This Involve? The role of a sub-committee member varies based on which team they join: The S&E team plans and executes both professional and social events. Members are responsible for brainstorming and developing new event initiatives for ASA; ensuring that our sponsors’ needs are met efficiently and effectively. The M&P team promotes events and operations of ASA. Members play an important role in maximizing exposure to and attendance of ASA’s events, which are carried out in liaison with our sponsors.

ASA x ShineWing Gelato Networking Event 2020

Joining ASA’s sub-committee also allows you to give back and be more engaged within the community. By frequently collaborating together, members are able to befriend and closely connect with student peers as well as industry professionals, job recruiters, sponsors, and other stakeholders relating to ASA. The potential to progress from being a subcommittee member to either a committee or executive member after one semester also provides the opportunity to further develop your leadership skills. Executive members in particular play a significant role in leading the S&E, M&P, HR and Treasury teams. Notably, elections for executive positions run in July of each year at our annual AGM.

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How Do I Join?

Have More Questions?

ASA typically recruits sub-committee members at the beginning of Session 1 and 2 every year, information about application openings are usually advertised through our Facebook page and in various Facebook groups in the first two weeks of each semester.

For any other queries about our recruitment process, we encourage you to talk to one of our friendly ASA executive or committee members at O-week or at an ASA event. Otherwise, feel free to contact us through our Facebook page: simply search â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;asamqâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to find us.

When applying, you will need to fill out a short online application and may also be required to do an interview. At the end of the process, all applicants are informed of the final outcome with successful candidates given an offer to join our team.

Any Requirements? No experience? No problem! The only requirements for sub-committee members are: Be a current Macquarie student Have at least 6 months left on your degree Can dedicate a minimum of 4 hours per week

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ASA Meet & Greet 2020

Executive Team 2020/2021 The executive team plays a crucial role in the administration of ASA by leading the Secretary & Events, Marketing & Publications, Human Resources and Treasury teams.

Kingston Wong President

"I joined ASA with the intention to help build the bridge between the education and corporate industry to not only foster lifelong relationships but to give other like-minded students opportunities to grow."

Damian Sutrisno Vice-President

"I want to ensure that all members are able to grow as a person, make new relationships and understand the professional business world to prepare them for their future."

Alec Ma Vice-President

Marketing & Publications

"Being a student-run society created for students, I want to provide them with opportunities to look for beyond university life and widen their horizons within the business world."

"My goal is to equip students with knowledge useful for their career and their life. Furthermore, I want to continue the high standards and reputation that the previous ASA executive teams have upheld."

Karl Mabulay

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Kerry Ngo

Elly Zhang

Marketing & Publications

Secretary & Events

"My vision is to bring students together through ASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events and promote an inclusive and supportive community that can empower students for a better future."

Amylou Chakuzira Secretary & Events

"I hope that being part of such an incredible team will help me inspire those who will come after me and help them reach their full potential, knowing that anything is possible."

"My aspiration is to motivate and encourage others to reach their potential and by establishing a supportive work environment."

Kelly Phu Human Resources

"My goal is to inspire members to be in a supportive environment where they are able to exhibit their unique and individual qualities."

Shane Silva Treasury

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"I aim to help push ASA in the right direction to where students can find a place where they feel comfortable to interact and form bonds with others as well as providing opportunities and the tools needed to kick-start their future careers."

Pathing Your Way to the Business World The Importance of Being Well-Rounded If you think employees only look at your grades, you’re sorely mistaken. It is essential to have an arsenal of skills gathered from both academic and extracurricular activities. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best extracurriculars and roles for you to invest to become a well-rounded student inside and outside of class.

Grades

Unit Representatives

Maintaining a strong Weighted Average Mark (WAM) is essential to being competitive. This is the backbone of your studies and is the first instance of your theoretical understanding that employers see. Remember to balance your studies with breaks and to maintain your knowledge through constant revision.

MQ offers students the opportunity to volunteer as representatives for units. You will be the intermediary between students and the University to voice opinions on how units are being taught and organised.

Ask questions if you don’t understand and take advantage of unit consultations to receive indepth guidance. Strong grades show your commitment to your learning and a passion for what you study.

Peer-Assisted Learning If academics are your strong suit, you should definitely apply to become a Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) Leader. The PAL program allows you to demonstrate your knowledge in a particular unit you have completed with high grades by holding classes for students currently taking the unit. Being a PAL leader involves caring for the academic performances of your fellow students while showing your ability to juggle your individual studies and the studies of others. PAL is an excellent addition to any resume and a great way for you to display your knowledge.

As a Unit Rep, you are showing your passion for the quality of your studies and making friends along the way by showing that students' opinions are valid.

Sports Clubs Whilst academic skills are essential, physical health is also important. Joining a sports club will keep you fit whilst improving your communication skills. Team sports show your dedication and teamwork capabilities. Sports clubs are also a breath of fresh air away from your studies and a chance to enjoy time with friends. Employers would love to see you balance a social, healthy lifestyle with strong academic performance.

Global Leadership Program The Global Leadership Program (GLP) is an awardwinning, internationally recognised program run by Macquarie University that allows students to partake in seminars and debates about increasingly complex world issues. With a focus on cross-cultural understanding, leadership, international issues, innovation, and entrepreneurship, the GLP provides you with the knowledge, skills and networks you’ll need to advance in your professional and personal lives.

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Jobs and Internships

Mentoring

The importance of time management and organisation skills cannot be understated, with many employers looking for these attributes in their future employees. For students, this means showing off their multiple commitments on their resumes.

Macquarie University offers multiple mentoring programs in which older students assist first-year students to overcome their nerves and adapt to the university lifestyle. These programs provide a great opportunity for students to make friends, network with other students and develop great teamwork skills.

Accounting students can take advantage of the great summer internship programs run by many businesses (EY, KPMG, Deloitte and more) to show their interest in a future in accounting, as well as having real-world accounting experience. Also, working a part-time job alongside your studies is an indication of those crucial time management skills that employers crave, and is an option for all students.

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The university provides the First-Step mentoring program for first-year students studying business and economics whereby you are set up with an academic mentor to help guide through your first year. LEAP mentoring which allows students to develop their global skills by helping out high school students from refugee backgrounds and the Lucy mentoring program which encourages the development and training of undergraduate female students to develop the skills to become future leaders.

Interview with Jaya Kandasamy Partner, Assurance at EY Sydney

What advice would you give future students considering a career with EY? Be motivated to be a lifelong learner – the strongest attribute someone can have is an insatiable appetite for learning. Learn about EY prior to the interviews and have an understanding of the service line you are applying to. Be yourself. EY organization is very large and we need a wide range of personalities and styles to best suit EY clients.

What qualities do you look for when recruiting a graduate or vacationer? Eagerness and energy Someone who enjoys learning and challenging themselves to try new things Someone that wants to be a CA Team player

With the Transformative Age upon us, we are already seeing roles within EY changing. How do you see a graduate role evolving at EY? With increased technology and AI, the role of the graduate will continue to change. They are coming into roles which are more of a ‘supervisory role’, as opposed to at the ‘bottom of the ladder’. Certain tasks, which historically were done by the graduates, will be completed by technology and therefore allowing graduates to have a quicker progression into learning the technical areas which more senior people traditionally handled. The path to partner will be shorter for the future graduates, as they will be dealing with complexity at earlier stages of their careers.

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Networking with Business Representatives What is it and why is it important? Networking is a deliberate activity to build, reinforce and maintain mutually beneficial relationships. Professional networking is not a one-time action but a continual process of building a relationship, maintaining it, and then activating select contacts. Making and keeping a strong professional network will allow you to encounter opportunities you might not find on your own. Your network will give you unique perspectives into different fields, information on what potential employers look for and advice on how to develop professionally.

How do you network effectively? Be proactive. Cultivating your network yearround is crucial to maintaining beneficial connections. If you suddenly message a friend you have not spoken to since high school, they may not want to recommend you to their employer. Maintaining pleasant relationships with your extended network at all times, even just by sending a short email to say hello, is the best way to make sure they are willing to help when you need them. Have the right mentality. First impressions are important, having a negative or skeptical mindset will set you off on the wrong foot. Being positive and self-confident goes a far way when it comes to being an attractive person to communicate and spending time with. Being positive will leave a good impression on the people you meet, making it easier to not only make connections but also keep them. Always show genuine interest with an open mind, you don’t know what opportunities are available if you don’t give others a chance.

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Use your resources. Take advantage of the resources provided by technology to help in creating, cultivating, and communicating with your contacts. Use social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and forums to reach out to professionals in your area; to reconnect with old friends and to start a conversation with the people you meet while on the job. Following-up with an initial contact by sending a friend request or a brief message will help them remember you and encourage them to seek out a mutual relationship. Seek out networking opportunities. Networking opportunities present themselves every day, from casual encounters with other students, work colleagues, or in the local park. However, there are also specific events created to induce networking in a professional setting. Examples include university career fairs and professional development programs, accreditation body events, and accounting firm information sessions such as ASA’s networking events with major professional services firms. These events create an environment where others will also be networking and will be happy to exchange business cards or contact information.

Further Resources A key resource is Macquarie University’s CareerWise which consists of several modules exploring your career options by looking into your self-development. CareerWise also provides a module on improving skills that will get you workready through success boosters, tips on work experience, employment criteria, and networking. Finally, it helps students take the final steps of achieving a job by providing students with CV/resume tips, advice on selection criteria, tips on cover letters, job interview tips, and knowing your workers' rights.

Guide to Making a Good Resume The first step to successfully attaining a job is to perfect your resume. It is usually the first interaction an employer has with you and thus, significantly impacts your chances of entering the next stage of recruitment. This article aims to provide you with an easy yet effective way to structure your resume to accurately reflect your strengths.

What to include 1. Your name and contact details should be stated at the top. Email: Use a professional email and check regularly.

6. Extracurriculars: All your volunteer work. These include not-for-profit or University societies, etc. 7. References: Always notify listing their details on your Resume, state that references Requestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Professional referees friends or family.

a referee before resume. In your are â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Available on are preferred, not

Phone number: For many vacationer and graduate roles, the third round is usually a phone interview. LinkedIn: Your recruitment will almost always look at your LinkedIn rather than your Facebook.

2. Executive Summary: 75 - 100 words to address the following: Who are you? What can you bring? Your values Your long-term goals

3. Education: If you have a good GPA or WAM, do mention it! However, if your grades are not that great, it is okay too. Companies prefer a candidate with average grades and more work experience compared to a candidate with higher grades and little to no work experience. 4. Work Experience: Tailor it to the role you are applying for! 5. Skills: List a few skills relevant to the job you are applying for.

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What to exclude

Macquarie University Resources

It is important to understand that a hiring manager has limited time to view all the applications that they receive. Hence, it is crucial that you do not include every aspect of your life. Additionally, many recruiters now use electronic resume scanning tools as the first method to accept or reject applications into the next recruitment process. Thus, it is important for your resume to actively reflect the job description by using keywords. This conveys to recruiters both your interest in the position and understanding of the company.

Career and Employment Services

Personal details such as age, gender, photograph, religion or ethnicity are not relevant and often lead to discrimination (intentional or not). Even if you have been in the workforce for a lengthy period of time, you should only include the most relevant and some recent roles that demonstrate your skills and experience to the position you are applying for.

The Career and Employment Service also provides helpful information on resume writing and layouts to use, workshops and 1:1 consultations for students. Workshops, for example, the Resume and Cover Letter Essential Workshop can improve your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile to help you secure a job. CV360 CV360 is an online resume tool by the Career and Employment Services which provides feedback specific to your resume. It also provides advice on how to improve your resume.

General Tips A Resume should be: Concise: Only include relevant information to the position and things that add to your character and skills. STILL UNSURE? Easy to read: Use a simple layout, good font size and dot points rather than large paragraphs. However, some positions relating to marketing or design may require a more aesthetically pleasing resume to reflect your abilities. Free of errors: Be sure to recheck your spelling and grammar via a checking software or ask a friend to spot errors in your resume. Customised: Adjust your points to the job description by including keywords, as recruiters may use electronic resume scanning tools.

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Join our professional events! Throughout the year, we run various events with company representatives aimed at providing you with helpful information on employability skills and ways to enhance your resume for success.

LinkedIn Building What and Why LinkedIn? LinkedIn is a social networking site which allows individuals to connect themselves with job opportunities as well as other professionals in the industry. LinkedIn is often the first point of network building, as well as a stepping stone to meeting people in the industry. Just like any other social media site, LinkedIn allows you to stay updated with the latest news from pages you follow. Not only is LinkedIn useful as a networking site, it is also a great research tool. Over 30 million companies are registered on LinkedIn, which makes it easier to find job opportunities and company information. LinkedIn also provides constant new job and experience opportunities in real time.

How to build a good LinkedIn Profile Profile Picture: Your profile picture will be the first thing that people will see on your profile. As LinkedIn focuses on the professional side of social networking, make sure that your profile picture looks the part too. Your face should take up around 60% of the photo, which typically means a shoulders-and-above shot, whilst wearing business formal wear. Summary: Use the space wisely to talk about who you are as a person, as well as how you want others to perceive you. Don’t just list your skills or education here, but talk about why you believe those skills are important. Personalise this space to your own person whilst staying professional. List Skills: List the skills you’re most confident in, as well as those that you have developed through previous experiences. By including a wide range of skills, it allows you to gain more exposure to recruiters and hiring managers.

Get connected: With over 575+ million registered members on LinkedIn, you might feel clueless as to where or who to even start networking with; but the solution is simple. Start by reaching out to your friends or workmates, and build your connections from there! Also, try to personalise your connection request and stay away from the default one. Include your Resume: With over 77% of employers using and checking LinkedIn for potential employers, having your resume ready to view on your profile saves yourself and them from one extra step. Stay updated: It’s easy to set up your LinkedIn profile then leave it to ferment, but that’s not enough. Update regularly with new skills you’ve developed and share the job promotion you just got! Staying active and engaged on your account shows that you’re career-driven and eager for self-improvement. Avoid: Try to avoid being too casual or laidback in your LinkedIn. Despite being a social site, it is still mainly used by professionals. As much as people enjoy hearing about your last holiday away or your pet dog, keep these personal posts away. If unsure, think about what or what not you would tell your manager.

You've done all this, now what? Don’t be afraid to exchange LinkedIn profiles at networking events. The first step to building your LinkedIn is getting connected with different contacts and following pages that interest you. Don’t be intimidated by the professional side of LinkedIn, after all, most people would be happy to expand their own network and help out as well.

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Work Experience and Job Opportunities Job Seeking While it may be stressful to add yet another commitment to your tight schedule, having a job whilst studying opens various future pathways and enhances career prospects. Don’t know where to start? The following section dives into the university’s range of readily available services to assist you to make the transition from university to the professional world. Subsequently, we will examine the benefits and functions specific to job search engines to get you a headstart in your career.

University Services Macquarie University’s Career and Employment Service is provided to all current students during their studies and up to 12 months after they graduate. Within the Career and Employment Service includes CareerWise, CareerHub and Career Zone. The subcategories have been developed with the aim of setting students towards the best careerready position possible. CareerWise, CareerHub and Career Zone CareerWise is an innovative online portal with a number of resources to assist you to launch your career. Upon opening CareerWise, you are given instant access to CareerHub and MyMQ Career Zone. CareerHub allows students to register for digital networking, career fairs, and access presentations with various interview and career strategy webinars. In addition, CareerHub features a page dedicated to various listings for part-time and full-time jobs, volunteer roles, internships, and graduate roles. Linked to your CareerHub account, MyMQ Career Zone features videos including topics from resume writing to interviewing and career planning. Various career tools such as an instant online resume review via CV360, a resume and cover letter builder, and an interview simulator are also available.

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With the aim of helping students prepare application documents, MyMQ Career Zone is yet another invaluable platform where students can obtain skills and experience to become careerready. It is highly encouraged that students who are looking to break into the industry for the first time look through the readily given resources. Start browsing now and utilise the readily given resources during your time at university. Keep in mind that persistent browsing, research and upskilling will kickstart your career!

Job Search Engines It is highly encouraged that you keep an eye on job listing portals for a wide range of opportunities. There are several job search engines available, all with their own benefits.

GradAustralia

Word of Mouth

GradAustralia is a source of graduate media and recruitment services dedicated to enhancing employability prospects for all students. The highlight of this platform is in the active listing of graduate opportunities that students can tailor to

All in all, if none of the methods above work for you, word of mouth could be a way to hear about job opportunities!

their interests by selecting industry-specific options. The website is split into six different sections: Graduate Jobs, Employers, Events, Further Study, Advice, and Top 100. Exploring the six sections, the final insight is that GradAustralia provides career-specific advice for those who have yet to find a set interest in the industry.

Seek Seek is an online job search platform encompassing a strong global and regional reach of the employment marketplace. As one of Australia’s most visited employment sites, having a SEEK profile allows you to present a summary of your education, career history and attach a resume for employers to examine detailed information about your achievements. Creating a SEEK Profile provides you with the exclusive access to the website specific features such as “apply for this job” immediately, “save” the job, or even “email” the company directly, all assisting you in finding and applying for jobs efficiently.

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Opportunities With so many graduates looking for jobs in the corporate industry, it is important to be proactive and secure a place within your career early on. There remains vast competition amongst thousands of graduates for a finite number of positions within the industry. So how can you take that first step to having a head start?

PACE Program

Relevant Resources

The Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) Program is an initiative carried out by Macquarie University to help students connect with prominent professionals in the relevant industry to build practical learning experiences.

Career Hub - Interns Australia Internships are a great way to place yourself in the industry and increase your chances of employment simply by virtue of your presence. However, there are certain regulations that apply which will affect your internship experience.

The PACE Program is designed to give Macquarie University students a leading edge over other graduates by pairing them directly with sectorleading professionals. All Bachelor degree programmes at Macquarie University have at least 1 unit dedicated to the program so it is important to check which of your units are allocated for this function. This information can be found under the “My Enrolment” section of eStudents. Alternatively, you can also find this information on Macquarie University’s degree finder website. It is important to note that doing a double bachelor’s degree or double major can lead to having multiple PACE units.

Fair Work Ombudsman notes that unpaid work should only be conducted for voluntary or not-forprofit organisations. Thus, work conducted for businesses entitles interns to pay as they would be considered an employee. This ‘work’ is subject to the type of activity conducted and interns can be made aware of their rights on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. Interns Australia is a volunteer-run advocacy body that is there to support interns with pointers to whom queries can be taken up with to clarify what expectations around what interns are entitled to in the workplace; including wages, discrimination policy, workplace harassment to name a few.

Why should the Program matter to me? The PACE Program has an expansive reach across national borders, allowing applicants to train with over 3,000 organisations across 26 different countries. Not only does PACE promote a setting of professionalism, but one of social interconnectedness as well. Lifelong skills that the Program facilitates include:

Professional Learning from sector-leading professionals

Social Developing cross-cultural competency

Exploring future career options

Adapting to new environments

Build professional contacts and networks

Becoming an informed global citizen

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Considering new perspectives

The Recruitment Process Your accounting journey starts from the day you look for a job, an internship and even during your studies. As it is a strenuous and lengthy process, success hinges on your career hunting strategy. While every accounting firm has their own procedure, we present a typical recruitment process and explain what is needed to surpass every stage.

Stage 1: Learn from the Industry

Stage 2: The Online Application

The recruitment process does not start on the day you submit your online application, but from the first impression, you give to your prospective employers at career events.

This is when you prepare all the paperwork for your job application. Here are some important tips you can do before, during and after each online application.

Before the event Do your homework - research the industry, the company and the service line you’re interested in. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date. Prepare any questions you want to ask.

Before you apply Always go through the recruiter’s website thoroughly to understand the required submission documents such as cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, written references, and visa documents. When preparing your cover letter and CV, make sure they are tailored to each recruiter’s hiring requirements. For resume writing skills, log into your CareerHub MQ Portal for assistance. You can use CV Builder and CV360 as online tools to build your resume and have it reviewed. Always prepare at least three truly certified copies of all your required documents. Book an appointment with a career counsellor from CareerHub MQ to proofread your cover letter and CV.

During the event Dress appropriately for the event. Introduce yourself with a firm and confident handshake. Start with a casual but professional conversation to develop rapport. Show them your interest in the industry by discussing the latest developments of the service line (e.g. audit, tax or advisory). Ask relevant questions about the industry, the company, and the interested role. Avoid asking questions about matters which you can find on their website. Once a cordial relationship has been built, take the opportunity to ask for their permission to add them on LinkedIn. This will create a long-lasting connection between you and your prospective employers, building up your network. After the event Send them a thank-you message to express your sincerity and gratitude. If possible, discuss any latest industry development to show that you’re interested in the service line. When the application phase is nearing, express your interest directly to them via LinkedIn.

During online application Upload all your required documents in the application portal. Be sure to answer all the questions. For scenario-based questions, it is recommended to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) technique. Always do a final check of all the application sections before you submit. Once submitted, it might be irreversible.

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After online application Immediately inform your recruitment leads via LinkedIn about the submitted status of your application. Networking also plays a part in your recruitment success apart from merit. For interstate application, it is important to let the HR know of your preferred interview arrangement so that they can understand your travel limitations. For instance, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re applying for accounting jobs at Melbourne, Victoria, ask if it is possible to conduct a phone or Skype interview. Relax and wait for their online test and/or an interview invitation.

Stage 3 : Online Psychometric Training Online psychometric tests assess an applicantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s abilities to identify complex patterns, reason logically, compute accounting figures and solve real-life problems. These tests come in many forms such as abstract reasoning, verbal reasoning, numerical or even scenario-based questions. These are some important tips you can use to prepare yourself: Maintain a calm composure and relaxed mind before taking these tests. Ensure your computer is strongly connected to a WiFi system on the day of the test. If you are completing abstract reasoning, verbal reasoning, and numerical tests: try familiarizing yourself with the questions under time-based conditions. You can practice for free at https://www.psychometricinstitute.com.au/Fre e-Aptitude-Tests.asp. If you are completing scenario-based questions: be yourself! Use your own conscience to answer the questions. If you have a past situation question, try using the STAR technique. For scenario-based questions, place yourself in the hypothetical situation and consider how you would have reacted in that scenario. Make sure you check your answers before submitting (just like an exam)!

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Stage 4: The Assessment Centre This is the best opportunity for recruiters to assess your abilities in depth before deciding whether to invite you for an interview. They will usually place you in groups to discuss and solve real-life problems, ending with you presenting your solutions to a panel of interviewers, ranging from managers to partners. The idea of this stage is to examine your problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills. Here are some important tips you can use to prepare for the physical assessment centre: Dress appropriately to make a good impression - i.e. formal business attire Arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes prior to the interview First impressions are important! Introduce yourself to your interviewers with a firm and confident handshake and build rapport with your group members. When given a situation, discuss as a group how you can plan and approach the topic question. This may come in the form of a situational judgement or critical thinking tests. As your group will be under a time limit, divide the work amongst yourselves and work individually on your findings in an efficient manner. After 10 to 15 minutes, discuss and compile your findings as a team. Use your group findings to brainstorm solutions. Confidence is key when presenting to the panellists. Be yourself during the presentation! There is nothing to fear if you and your teammates have tackled the topic question effectively.

Stage 5: Interviews This stage is crucial as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your last chance to persuade the recruiters why you are the ideal candidate and be hired for the position. These are some important tips you can do before, during and after each interview and/or face-to-face assessment. Before the interview Do your homework! Research the latest developments in the industry and the company. Try finding out more about the company from your recruitment leads by reaching out on LinkedIn. Rehearse the interview with a friend or a university career counsellor. Prepare a few questions to ask the interviewers on the day. During the interview Dress to impress - wear full formal business attire. Arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes before your interview. First impressions are key. Introduce yourself with a firm handshake. Most interviewers like to get to know you better. When asked an introductory question, tell them more about yourself in a humorous but professional manner. Let them know why you have decided to follow this career path. They are eager to know why you want to join the company rather than any other organisation. This is when your research about the company plays a part in the interview. Honestly answer why the company is your most ideal career platform. They are also interested in why they should hire you out of countless applicants. It would be best to differentiate yourself from others who are equally qualified for the position. Tell them the unique value that you could bring to the company. When asked behavioural questions, try using the STAR technique. Interviewers will always ask if you have any questions you would like to ask them. This is why itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to prepare a few in advance. Ask relevant questions about the role and more importantly, avoid asking about matters which you can find on their website. Make sure you thank them for their time and effort when the interview concludes.

After the interview Send them a thank-you message to express your sincerity. You can also reiterate your interest in the role. Relax and wait patiently for the outcome of your application

Stage 6: Outcome This is arguably the most nerve-wracking stage of the entire process. It can either be the happiest or most disappointing stage. If an offer is made, they will usually call you but always check your email. Congratulations on your successful application and make sure you accept the offer by the given deadline. Carefully read the terms and conditions of the offer to avoid any surprises. If you are rejected, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel disheartened. Reflect on the entire application process and review where your shortcomings may have been. Failure is not final but instead gives you the opportunity to learn from your mistakes. You can try contacting the interviewer to obtain their honest feedback about your performance to prepare you for the next interview.

Conclusion Hopefully, you have gained some insights and handy tips on how the recruitment process works, and what to expect when you apply for a position. Remember that every firm has its own unique procedure. Take a look on their website or attend an informational session to better prepare you before you apply.

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Interview with Darren Sutrisno

Former Vice-President of ASA, Graduate at EY Sydney

From your personal experience what parts of the recruitment process were the most challenging and what were the most rewarding? Personally, the most challenging stage for me was the video interview. Talking to a camera can feel daunting and can make it difficult to showcase your personality. Before completing the video interview, I would highly recommend you prepare behavioural questions and practice answering those questions in front of the camera to get comfortable. Importantly always keep a smile when performing the interview!Though the recruitment process can be challenging. It is overall a rewarding process as it allows you to not only reflect on your past experiences which is essential in answering behavioural questions but also identifying your strengths and weakness. As you reflect and look back you can be proud of what you’ve accomplished so far and identify the areas that you could potentially improve upon in the future.

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What do you think is the key to succeeding in the recruitment process? The key is differentiating yourself from others and being confident. Having good grades may make get you past the initial recruitment process. However, beyond grades recruiters/employers are looking for candidates that they believe will work well with their teams and fit within the company’s culture. Getting involved in extra-curricular such as societies, sporting teams, volunteering or charities etc. is another way that can not only help you differentiate yourself but also help you develop important teamwork and soft skills the recruiters are looking for.Most importantly, when proceeding through the recruitment process make sure you understand the role you are applying for, why you are interested in the role and learn about the company (this can be easily found on the company’s website).

Any other advice for students who are seeking jobs and internships opportunities Be proactive and take up opportunities that may arise to gain experience. All these experiences will help your personal growth and in particular developing your teamwork and soft skills. These skills and experiences will help demonstrate that you can strive in the working environment. It is also important to note that you should not feel down on yourself if you’re rejected - Use the experiences from the previous applications (interviews and assessment centres etc.) as a learning experience and strive to continually build up your skills/experiences for future applications.

Internships, Cadetships & Graduate Roles Internship/Vacationer Program An internship is often your first chance to apply theoretical concepts to real-life and a great way to gain insights into a career in accounting. Internships are typically undertaken during the summer holidays in the 2nd or penultimate year and they provide the opportunity to actively practice your theoretical concepts gaining realworld experience in accounting. Internships often involve various service lines and interns are typically tasked with writing financial reports, journal entries and software usage amongst other tasks. Internships at the Big 4 usually run in the summer uni break and start accepting applications around mid-year. While the application process may be confusing, ASA runs many events with representatives from the Big 4 to break-down the process. Career fairs are also a good chance to pitch yourself directly at representatives and land internships. Smaller firms often donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the resources to run internships and directly offer jobs to undergraduates. It is also possible for undergrads to be offered a full-time job at a large company. Companies often look for interns with a strong theoretical foundation and work ethics that fit their culture. It is a good idea to conduct prior research into companies you are interested in to have a clear understanding of application dates and possible requirements, such as GPA. When applying, ensure you have both a good understanding and reflect the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals and culture. Throughout your internship, there will be various opportunities for direct communication with partners and senior managers. It is important to make a good impression and maintain professionalism as internships can often be extended or lead to being offered a graduate position without undergoing the recruitment process again.

Internships can be challenging as you strive to meet expectations while balancing your studying and personal life. However ultimately, internships are rewarding. They provide a unique opportunity to gain both professional and personal management skills that textbooks are unable to teach and provide an accurate representation of the day-to-day processes involved in an accounting career. By undertaking an internship, you gain valuable knowledge into both the culture of the company and a variety of service lines.

Cadetships Cadetships are a way for students to gain industry experience whilst studying. Unlike internships, students can undertake cadetships at any moment in time during their degree without the need for being in their penultimate year. It is also a way in which businesses can support students studying at a tertiary level to develop practical experience in their chosen fields. By taking part in cadetships, students are able to gain industry experience before they finish their degrees, in-turn increasing their chances of employment after graduating. They offer opportunities for students to network and connect with senior executives. They also provide a platform for students to build connections, establish a reputation and gain graduate roles. Cadetship programs offer students the opportunity to work and train with industry experts whilst completing their degrees. Firms offer cadets practical experience and on-the-job training, in a salaried position, with paid leave and financial assistance with textbooks.

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Many companies across the accounting industry offer both paid and unpaid cadetships throughout the year. As employers tend to look for the ability to communicate clearly and effectively using different mediums, value honesty, expect technical competency and good work ethic, a cadetship is a good way to acquire these valuable skills for future use. Employers also value employees who are flexible and can adapt to the ever-changing business environment. They look for an eagerness to learn and a willingness to gain more knowledge. By having these skills, students are able to gain a competitive edge during the application and interview process.

Graduate Roles

Cadetship information and roles can be found at sites such as Gradconnect, Seek, Professional Cadets Australia amongst others. They are a great way to jumpstart one’s career and contain a variety of industries with a large number of companies offerings. They serve as the first step into the workforce and provide extensive work experience that is vital in any industry.

In many instances, getting a graduate role is a crucial step in regard to either the CA or CPA programs, as many companies will provide graduates with the opportunity to obtain the qualifications whilst working full time. Generally, the recruitment process for graduate roles starts early in the year, so check when companies of interest open their applications and apply early!

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Once you’re in the final year of your degree, it’s important to begin looking into companies you want to work for — whether that’s a Big 4, a midtier or a smaller firm — and apply for graduate roles. Graduate roles are an important aspect of finishing university, as it is expected that you likely do not have a wide variety of experience within the industry. As an employee in a graduate role, you will be able to work closely with experienced employees that will provide guidance as you adjust to the business world.

Accounting Accreditations Chartered Accountants (CA) What is CA? Chartered Accountants (CA) is a renowned global accounting organisation that aims to proactively shape and influence the accounting field within mainly Australia and New Zealand but have recently been expanding their reach and presence to countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and London. Currently, CA represents over 120, 000 members across the world and employs over 400 talented professionals in multiple fields including marketing, accounting, event management, education and member service.

Requirements for CA There are 4 stages that are required to become a member of Chartered Accountants:

Enrol in CA Program Modules Once you have been accepted as a provisional member you may enrol for your first module. There are many timetables of varying programs that you may choose from to best fit for the field you wish to explore.

Apply for full CA ANZ membership When you complete all the required components of the 3 year CA program you are eligible to apply for a full Chartered Accountants ANZ membership. This is an optional stage for those that want to stay with CA for their future career. It should be noted that you will need to apply for a Certificate of Public Practice (CPP) if you wish to provide services to the public as a Chartered Accountant.

1. Eligibility 2. Apply for Provisional Membership 3. Enrol in CA Program Modules 4. Apply for full CA ANZ membership (optional)

Apply for Provisional Membership In order to apply for a provisional membership you must provide your official academic documentations and complete the provisional membership application.

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Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) What is CPA? CPA Australia is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest accounting bodies with a global membership of more than 166,666 members (as at 31 December 2019) working in 100 countries around the world. A Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) is a finance, accounting and business professional with further studied qualification. Being a CPA is a mark of high professional competence and indicates a soundness in depth, breadth and quality of accountancy knowledge.

How to become a CPA To qualify as a CPA, one must: Hold a degree recognised by CPA Australia, in any discipline Have completed the CPA Program, including Your Experience, within six years To offer public accounting services, CPAs must also complete CPA Australia's Public Practice Program and hold a public practice certificate in accordance with the CPA Australia's ByLaws. Undertake CPD activities each year Comply with strict code of conduct set by CPA Australia Offer public accounting services, CPAs must also complete CPA Australia's Public Practice Program and hold a public practice certificate in accordance with the CPA Australia's ByLaws.

What it means to be a CPA Member? Joining as a member means you will have access to the many privileges including interactions with other CPA members worldwide, receive special rates on products and services, and discounts on professional development including access to valuable resources to enhance your career. Once commenced the CPA Program, you become an Associate. As an Associate, you have six years to complete the CPA Program, including six education subjects and the Your Experience requirement, before becoming a CPA. Depending on your prior study and work experience, you may gain recognition toward your experience requirement. Highly-experienced CPAs can become a fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA). You must be a CPA with at least 15 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; work experience in accounting, finance or business, including at least five years in an executive position or providing full-time Public Accounting Services as a public accountant.

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What entails in the CPA Program? The CPA program includes four compulsory subjects, two electives and an experience component to give students skills to stand out in the real world. Ethic and Governance Financial Reporting Strategic Management Accounting Global Strategy and Leadership

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) What is ACCA? The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a global accounting body that consists of professionals within the accounting and finance industry. It is widely recognised in over 170 countries with more than 500,000 students and members joining the program. The ACCA qualification is highly valued by employers as it depicts the important traits that organisations look for - the ability to think strategically, technical abilities and professional integrity.

Requirements for ACCA You are required to have three GCSEs and two A Levels in five separate subjects including maths and English (or other equivalent qualifications in Australia) to initiate the ACCA Qualification.

ACCA Exams There are 13 exams that must be completed to receive the ACCA accreditation: 1. Applied knowledge (introduction accounting and finance industry):

the

3. Strategic Professional (develop studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; technical, ethical and professional skills to prepare them for future work positions): Essentials Strategic Business Leader (SBL) Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) Options (choose 2) Advanced Financial Management (AFM) Advanced Performance Management (APM) Advanced Taxation (ATX) Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)

Length of the Program Students are expected to complete a series of ethics and professional skills modules that provide students with necessary workplace skills while gaining exposure to realistic business situations. Prior to receiving the ACCA accreditation, students must fulfil 3 years worth of relevant work experience, while achieving 9 essential performance objectives. This will be regularly monitored by a practical experience supervisor. In overall, the entire course would take 3 to 4 years to complete.

Accountant in Business (AB) Management Accounting (MA) Financial Accounting (FA) 2. Applied skills (to help students strengthen their current knowledge): Corporate and Business Law (LW) Performance Management (PM) Taxation (TX)F inancial Reporting (FR) Audit and Assurance (AA) Financial Management (FM)

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International and Postgraduate Opportunities for International Students At Macquarie University, international students comprise a significant majority of accounting students at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Thus, this article aims to study the current opportunities available to international students in terms of careers and professional development.

Current Opportunities Many international students, especially from developing countries have come to Australia in the hope of getting a permanent residency through the two-year Australian study requirement and the post-study work visa. However, the future often seems bleak for them in the area of accounting as government research in the fiscal year of 2017-2018 revealed that Australia experienced no shortage of accountants. This could mean a tight labour market for international students wishing to embark on an accounting career in Australia. This could be corroborated by the findings that there is an average of 21.6 applicants per vacancy. Of these 21.6 applicants, only 2.4 applicants (11.1%) are suitable for the vacancy. Employers have commonly cited interpersonal skills, communication barriers, and lack of organisational fit as reasons for candidatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; unsuitability. All of these points exemplify the limited career opportunities for accounting students at the national level, let alone international students. At the micro-level, we have conducted research on the career opportunities available in three main circles of industries, namely the top 10 accounting firms, top 10 commercial companies, and 10 fastest-growing small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Australia. A safe majority of accounting firms are receptive to international students, with firms like PwC and KPMG considering candidates who meet stringent English Language requirements.

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A vast majority of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top companies are also presumably receptive to international students, including Woolworths and NAB. While SMEs seem to be receptive, the career future is still in uncharted waters as the majority of the 10 fastest-growing SMEs do not have a formal hiring process in their websites. This illustrates that English language proficiency, soft skills, and communication skills are crucial for international students to secure a permanent accounting career in Australia. The existence of three main accounting bodies: Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), Certified Practising Accountant Australia (CPA) and Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) in Australia has created a predicament for international students while planning their professional development. While the ACCA gives an advantage for accounting professionals to work in any country around the globe, the Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA) and CPA Australia are more prestigiously recognised in Australia. However, the current two-year post-study visa gives international students a limited room to gain the required three-year work experience as required by both Chartered Accountants ANZ and CPA Australia.

However, both CA and CPA are recognised in a number of countries around the world; International students may have more professional opportunities in pursuing CA, CPA Australia and ACCA with wider support from their regional branch offices. However, it is also notable that those who complete the ACCA program can get their CA accreditation after five years of work experience and vice versa. Overall, it is evident that the best qualification for students to pursue depends on their personal preferences as to which geographical areas they want to practice in and what career path they wish to follow. Additionally, it is important for students to make comprehensive enquiries to determine what is best for their unique circumstances. Traditionally, young graduates have embarked on an auditing career for more exposure before moving onto the accounting career of their choice. While many companies are open to recruiting international students that meet their requirements with the necessary experience, it is often difficult to gain these experiences due to the already stringent requirements imposed on students. This leads us to the main dilemma, how can international students gain the experience required to secure employment?

Recommendations Seize every opportunity to attend any career networking events organised by CA ANZ, CPA Australia or ACCA to grasp the expectations of the highly competitive accounting industry. Also, consider student representative programs offered by accounting bodies. These are a great way to network and meet people in the industry. Use LinkedIn to grow your network and engage with people already operating in your desired industry, especially International Alumni to receive more tailored advice. Attend LinkedIn workshops to maximise its use. Be involved in student clubs and societies on campus. They often have networking events and show examples of your pro-active passion for accounting. Moreover, it is a great way to gain leadership, coordination and team skills.

Try to secure an internship (whether paid or unpaid) or consider doing a Professional Year Program after graduation to gain first-hand working experience in Australia. Focus on improving soft skills such as communication, teamwork and time management skills. Getting involved in volunteering and meeting new people is a great way to do this. Recruiters have said that soft skills are most hard to obtain and equally important as technical skills. Try to achieve “Proficient English” in English language requirements. Some big firms desire this in job candidates. Tap on Lynda.com, Coursera and edx to equip yourself with the introductory accounting software courses such as MYOB, SAP or XERO. Consider working in a small or mid-tier accounting firm, a multinational commercial company or a growing SME in Australia. Search jobs using multiple online job sites such as LinkedIn, Australia Jobsearch, SEEK, and our university’s Career Hub. Also, make use of MQ Careers service for their advice and various resources for example MQ Career Zone. Accounting bodies also have their job portals which can be useful. Also, consider careers in other countries. Such career opportunities can make the way for a global career. Lastly, stay positive, confident and persistent. It can take some time to get the job you want but focus on skill-building to increase your chances.

You can do it! Although it seems hard, plenty of internationals have actually made it to the Big Four. The key is to stay determined and keep pushing yourself to gain experiences that contribute to your employability. If you meet the requirements, there is no reason why companies would not recruit you because you are an example of diversity. While there are additional requirements and difficulties, ultimately it is about perseverance and being proactive. As Uncle Iroh would say, "You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving... you will come to a better place".

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Opportunities for Postgraduate Students At Macquarie University there are a total of ten postgraduate degrees that relate to accounting. The diverse range of degrees allows students to think and reflect on a variety of specific fields they wish to improve their skills on, such as forensic accounting, financial crime, and Cyber Security. These degrees are specifically designed to accommodate the courses offered in CPA Australia, ACCA and Professional Practise. The following are opportunities students can expect after completing these postgraduate degrees.

Master of Accounting Duration: 1 to 2 years.

Master of Cybergovernance and Management Duration: 1 year

Within this degree, a student has an opportunity to excel in financial and management accounting. This will allow students to gain an understanding of management control systems, information systems. Students will also undergo units regarding business ethics and taxation, which will give them an opportunity to work in different fields. The units are taught by teachers with firsthand experience with CPA and CA programs, some also being consultants to CA ANZ and CPA Australia. This course is also accredited by CPA Australia, CA ANZ, ACCA and IMA.

Master of Forensic Accounting and Financial Crime Duration: 1 to 1.5 years This degree is one of the most demanded in accounting. Students will gain a combination of specific knowledge as business acumen, law and most importantly analytical and investigative skills which will overall benefit a wide range of professional services businesses. Macquarie is also the only university that has this degree accredited by CA ANZ.

With an ever-increasing demand for technological skills, this degree is the only cybersecurity masters that focuses on cyber governance and management. With this course, students have the opportunity to gain first-hand practical experience by working with a globally recognised institution of AACSB. Overall, this course allows students to gain theoretical and practical knowledge to manage corporate compliance, detect fraud and conduct effective investigations etc.

Master of Professional Accounting Duration: 1.5 to 2 years This course is ideal in assisting students to become qualified practicing or chartered accountant. Students will come out of this course with specific skills in strategic management, financial reporting and disclosures, global leadership and ethics. Upon completion of this degree, students obtain three qualifications: a postgraduate degree in accounting, membership of CPA Australia or CA and the opportunity to gain a CIMA accreditation.

The above 4 degrees are just a highlight of what is offered at Macquarie University. On completion, students obtain the relevant skillset to enter a workforce in a well-established accounting firm as an auditor, business analyst or forensic accountant to name a few. These opportunities offer a unique chance to specialise in your area of interest.

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Interview with Grace Chou

Grace Chou is a recent graduate who now holds a role at Moore Australia. She was an international student and a previous executive of ASA. This interview goes through her experiences as she describes her journey and shares some of her tips and tricks.

What was the most rewarding aspect studying internationally? What has been the most challenging?

What other advice for international students do you have who are in the same situation?

For me, it was about believing in your own abilities and stepping up. I gradually realised what my strengths and weaknesses were by partaking in a mentoring program and various extracurricular activities. I believe that to better yourself, you need to know yourself. This involves recognising your strengths and weaknesses, then improving using your strengths as willpower to work on your weaknesses.The most challenging aspect of being an international was having to work harder than ever before. Everything felt fresh; the culture, the education, everything was different to what I was accustomed to. This made my daily routines different and difficult to take care of myself in the same way. However, by throwing myself into the deep end, I was able to grow and realised that the harder you try, the easier it becomes.

My advice would be to be more open-minded: to think outside the box, to not limit yourself to a single path when you are only just beginning your journey into life. Always stay curious and keen to learn new things and to step outside your comfort zone because only then, will the experience be worthwhile and entertaining.

How would you describe your experience as an international student who has graduated and is working? I would describe it as a journey to discover the world and yourself. You get the opportunity to learn and experience many things that you would not have in the home country. Interacting with individuals from different walks of life has widened my mindset and exposed me to a multitude of unique perspectives that have bettered my judgement of my career paths. It helped me understand that accounting is not just about tax, instead, it is a discipline that leads you to a variety of specialisation pathways. For me, it led me to be a consultant.

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