I started as a Business Advisory (BAS) Graduate at Baker Tilly Staples Rodway’s Auckland office in late June 2021. I knew that Baker Tilly was the place I wanted to work after talking to their representatives at the annual CAANZ Accounting Careers Fair, typically held at the beginning of each year. After talking to the representatives of various accounting firms, I found Baker Tilly to be the most inviting, as their work culture sounded very positive and inclusive. Since beginning at Baker Tilly the environment and support system has far exceeded my expectations.
As a high-performance swimming athlete who trains 15+ hours a week, it was important to me that I was able to find a workplace where this would be understood and valued. Not only were they very understanding, but they have also allowed me to work 30 hours per week so that I am able to pursue both of my dreams at once.
Baker Tilly has an excellent buddy system, pairing its graduates with a senior staff member, giving Graduates a person they can bring any questions to. They also provide regular training and upskilling for its staff member, and Graduate specific training every few weeks to ensure we are all up to date with the right information and relevant skills.
Last week I was lucky enough to attend a BAS retreat for Graduates and Intermediates. At this retreat, we were given various case studies where we had to determine how best to solve the relevant issues and then present this to senior members of staff. This retreat was very insightful for me and I took away a lot of great learning points. It was also nice to cap off each night with a team dinner, allowing me a better opportunity to bond with my colleagues.
Although I have only recently started working at Baker Tilly, I am thoroughly enjoying myself and no two days are the same. It is nice to be surrounded by other intellectuals who share my passion for accounting. I am excited to see what the future holds and continue my journey with Baker Tilly.