Connection and flexibility are key to a fulfilling career

SUE Browne and Kate Rantall both believe accounting is a fantastic career path for women. Their journeys into the profession were quite different, yet both feel they’ve ended up exactly where they’re meant to be.

Kate always knew she wanted to work with numbers. She wrote about it in her childhood diary, loved handling money and chose accounting subjects in high school.

When it came time for university, the decision was easy – she completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Law at Deakin University, majoring in finance.

Sue, by contrast, preferred to let her career unfold naturally. She completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin, majoring in economics, and kept an open mind about where her future might lead.

After graduating, Kate jumped at the opportunity to join West Carr & Harvey. Her interview confirmed everything she hoped for – she knew she would be treated well and given the opportunities she was looking for.

Sue’s career took a less direct path. After university, she joined her family’s local winery business, working across many aspects of the business including marketing, sales, production and exports.

She also began looking after the financial management of the business – alongside Richard Carr from West Carr & Harvey, who was the company’s external accountant. She realised she enjoyed that side of the business and would like to pursue it further.

When Sue later left the family business, Richard offered her a position at West Carr & Harvey. At the time, Sue had two young children and needed to complete further studies to qualify as a practising accountant, all while starting a full-time career. It was a lot to take on, but she did it, and she hasn’t looked back.

“West Carr & Harvey gave me the career stability I needed for myself and my family,” Sue said. “It was a busy time, but it was exactly the right move for me.”

Sue recently celebrated 25 years with the firm. Over that time, she has built strong, lasting relationships with both clients and colleagues.

“The relationships I’ve formed with our clients have been so valuable to me,” she said. “It has been very rewarding to be able to help clients from simple bookkeeping to more complex tax questions.

“After 25 years of service, I consider these clients as friends.”

Kate, who has been with West Carr & Harvey for 15 years, agrees the people are what make the firm special.

“When I was starting out as a graduate, I was nervous heading into client meetings,” Kate said. “Now, after 15 years, I’ve built a rapport with our clients, and I love talking with them.

“It’s been wonderful to grow my confidence and strengthen those relationships.

“It’s not a chore to come to work. West Carr & Harvey has been so good to me over the years.

“The flexibility has given me the privilege to do what I need, when I need to.”

As working parents, both Kate and Sue agree that accounting has offered them the flexibility they need, along with the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with the people they work with.

“Accounting might have a reputation for being boring – but I have never come to work and felt bored,” Kate said. “The clients are great, the people are great, and the job is always evolving.”

Sue agrees: “No two days are the same; the work is always interesting.”

For both Sue and Kate, connection and flexibility have been key to a fulfilling career.