How has your career progressed at KPMG?
I commenced employment with the then Invercargill office of KPMG as an audit junior while studying part-time towards my degree. After transferring to the tax team, I undertook a six-month secondment to the Auckland office to gain further international tax knowledge and experience.
I decided to relocate to the Auckland office, where I worked my way up the ranks while gaining particular tax experience in the financial sector and being seconded out to carry out the in-house tax functions of two large NZ corporates.
After the birth of my son Matthew, I transferred back to the “mainland” joining the KPMG tax team in Christchurch, progressing to Tax Director and Partner.
How do you balance the demands of work and family?
KPMG provided the opportunity to work part-time (3 days a week) which meant I could stay up-to-date with tax developments and continue to service clients. Keeping a foot in the door was vital given the constant pace of tax changes, but also providing quality time to spend with the family. Having now a teenage son, flexibility is the key to a successful combination of work and family.
How have professional qualifications, training, mentoring or coaching helped your career?
Training is absolutely paramount to a successful tax career and I have benefited from a strong tax training and knowledge sharing environment in KPMG.
What key lessons have you learned from clients?
Listen to what the client is trying to achieve and what they are proposing to do as they may not know the tax questions to be asked.