I started at Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Taranaki in July 2018, when I returned to the region having lived in Southland for 10 years. Moving from one end of the country to the other is daunting enough, let alone starting a new job whilst studying. Thankfully, the team here is basically a big family, which made the transition into work a whole lot less daunting.
Whilst studying through Open Polytechnic, I was working part-time in our Payroll and Billing team. Being a part of this team gave me good foundations into our internal systems and processes, as well as exposure to client contact.
Since finishing my degree in October 2019, I have been given many opportunities to work within the different departments, which has given me a taste of the various areas the firm specialises in. In February I was given the chance to work in our Audit Department (which was of course complicated by the COVID-19 lockdown). Auditing was never my strong subject at Uni, however the Audit team took me under their wing and made me feel right at home. Even though my time in Audit was short-lived, I felt as though I truly was part of their team.
In May 2020, after lock-down ended, I moved into the Business Advisory Services team. Each new graduate is paired with a ‘buddy’ – someone who acts as your mentor and who can answer all of the ‘silly’ questions - which makes it a lot less overwhelming knowing that you’re supported and guided while you learn the ropes.
Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Taranaki and I really do feel a part of this big family. I can’t wait to see what opportunities my future will bring here, and I look forward to continuing to grow with the support of my colleagues.