Held every January, the annual CPA Australia Career Expo provides an informal platform where participants gain insights into the diverse world of accounting. The event also offers an opportunity for potential job-seekers to discover the broad range of services accounting firms offer, and the way that different companies operate, as well as the career opportunities they provide.
'The expo offers an excellent opportunity for young people to learn about the culture of accounting firms,' says Theresa Chan, a partner in international assignment services at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
She says that while auditing remains PwC's core business, clients are also looking for consultancy and advisory services, opening even more career opportunities.
Chan says that PwC views the Career Expo as an opportunity to meet and share information. 'Accounting firms like PwC are looking for job candidates that can become future business leaders. The CPA Australia designation is a worldwide qualification that not only focuses on accounting and auditing, but also on business leadership,' she says. 'The importance of understanding the need for upholding the highest standard of ethics and integrity, embedded in CPA Australia's CPA Program, are the other qualities that firms like PwC are looking for.'
She suggests that expo attendees ask questions about graduate training programmes, hard and soft skills training, coaching and mentoring support from management, and career path opportunities. They should also enquire about job rotation, cross-function training and secondment options.
'As one of the 'Big Four' firms, with a large portfolio of multinational clients and a large client base on the mainland, PwC is able to offer a wide choice of career options within the firm,' says Chan.