Future of Accounting

Discover a world of career pathways in accounting at this special event hosted by Waikato Management School, in association with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).

Hear from industry experts and recent university graduates about what skills you need to get started in this exciting field, why Chartered Accountants are increasingly seen as strategic business partners in the digital era, and where accounting can take you in New Zealand or overseas. Learn about different industries that accountants can work in.

Open to all secondary school students in years 11-13, teachers, careers advisors, and parents/whānau.

Enjoy our hospitality with free nibbles and networking after the event.

The future of accounting — 2023

Learn how you can become a Chartered Accountant

Register now

This careers event is a great opportunity for school students, teachers and careers advisors to hear from 'The Big Four' accounting firms and senior business leaders about how the role of Chartered Accountants is changing in the digital era. Check out the full event schedule below.

Learn how you can start your academic journey to become a Chartered Accountant (CA) at the University of Waikato. It's your passport to a well-paid and enjoyable career anywhere in the world!

Students are warmly encouraged to enter our short essay/video competition and be in to win a prize! See details below.

Event details

When:

16 August 2023, 4.30pm - 6.30pm, followed by FREE food and networking

Location:

PwC lecture theatre (MSB.1.04) - Level One
Waikato Management School (MSB building), Hillcrest Road
University of Waikato, Hamilton

Parking

Free parking is available on campus (see map here) in the Gate 10 carpark (off Silverdale Road), or the Gate 1 carpark (off Knighton Road).

Event Schedule

Time	Topic / Speaker
4.30pm	Welcome to the University of Waikato: Professor Frank Scrimgeour – Head of School of Accounting, Finance and Economics
4.35pm	Update from Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand: Maja Murray – Careers Engagement Manager, CAANZ
4.40pm	Study Accounting at the University of Waikato's Management School: Associate Professor Mary Low – Accounting Subject Convenor
4.45pm	Waikato Accounting recent graduates: Mckenzie Northcott - Associate, PwC (graduated 2022) Connor Haar - Associate, PwC (graduated 2022) Epenisa Taukafa - Bachelor of Business in Accounting - CAANZ Pacific Scholarship winner 2021, EY Study Award and Internship winner 2023
5.00pm	Industry Experts Panel Session: Chris Joblin – CEO, Tainui Group Holdings Simon Graafhuis – CEO, Chiefs Rugby Club Alan Chew – Founder, Houston Technology Group Rae Gunn – Financial Controller, DairyNZ Steven Rae – Director, Vazey Child
5.40pm	Kahoot Pop Quiz
5.50pm	'The Big Four' Open Forum: Mark McCabe – Managing Partner, PwC Waikato Riria Te Kanawa – Partner, National Industry Lead – Māori KPMG Graeme Bennett – Audit Partner, EY Auckland Matt Laing - Assurance and Advisory Partner, Deloitte Hamilton
6.05pm	Announce winners of essay/video competition
6.15pm - 7.00pm	Networking and nibbles

Enter our short essay / video competition!

We invite all secondary school students (years 11-13) who are registered for this event to enter our Accounting Short Essay/Short Video Competition.

Our five prize winners will be given the opportunity to spend a day at one of the 'Big Four' accounting firms - either PwC, EY, KPMG, Deloitte - or DairyNZ.

1) Write an original short essay (300 words) or short video (3 minutes) on the following topic:

'The Future of Accountancy: Chartered Accountants as Strategic Partners in the Digital Era'

Chartered Accountants (CAs) are differentiating themselves by becoming strategic business partners to their clients and empoyers. The pandemic has increased demand for CAs to provide deeper business insights and strategies.

In this way accounting continues to evolve in new ways to serve the public interest in both the private and public sectors. Accountants have become strategic partners in other areas of the economy, such as agribusiness, economics, finance and management.

Discuss in your essay/video the skills that are important for accountants to become key strategic partners in business and society.

2) To get you started with your background research, please read both of these articles:

1) Six skills that CAs need for the digital era (2023)
2) How to be a better strategic partner (2019)

3) Send your short essay (Word doc) or short video (MP4 file) to Dr Mary Low, email mary.low@waikato.ac.nz
The deadline for entries is Friday, 4 August at 5pm.

Each essay or video will be judged for its originality, factual research, and general quality of writing or presentation.

Please remember to include your name and contact details so we can get hold of you.

4) Terms and conditions:

1. To be eligible to enter this competition and win a prize, you must be a secondary school student in years 11-13, and have registered to attend The Future of Accounting event at the University of Waikato on 16 August.

2. All entries must be submitted electronically by Friday, 4 August at 5pm.

3. All winners will be announced in person at the event.

4. The judge's decision is final and no further correspondence shall be entered into.