Graduate Accountant
Qualification: Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)
Year of Graduation: 2020
Education Provider: The University of Western Australia
Job Title: Graduate Accountant
Employer: William Buck
Country of Origin: Malaysia
Are there any notable experiences from your time studying you’d like to share?
Plenty for sure!
Starting from meeting a diverse group of friends from all around the world, joining Toastmasters, participating in campus elections, and trying to set up a Club. Being a director at the UWA International Students Department and writing my thesis were all notable experiences that I will never forget.
If you could tell your graduate self one piece of career advice what would it be and why?
No one comes out of university knowing exactly what their next 100 years look like, but by giving life some serious thought, you know what you want or do not want to see in your future life. This will help anyone find a purpose/path in life.
Tell us about your experience since leaving UWA. How has your career progressed to date? Any professional achievements you’d like to share?
I will be reaching a year and a half at William Buck soon. I started off thinking I know something (clearly because I achieved my degree qualification), realized that I may not know anything during my first year, and began to realize the gains I have made because of learning through experiences. I have also achieved my CPA professional qualification!
What are some of your passions and interests?
Not to quote from Ted Talks, but I’m passionate about ideas and perspectives. I like reading books and other materials that offer a different view on problems and present new thoughts. I enjoy listening to people with distinct takes on issues, and love to have time alone to reflect on what I have read and heard.
I believe that, with a refreshed perspective, unmotivated people can be motivated.
And I believe that, with a thorough understanding of their problems, people uncertain of their path forward can be certain of their decisions.
Even if the whole world disputes the above statements, no one can deny that it worked on at least one person – me, and that explains why I’m passionate and interested in this area.
What are the top 3 skills you need in your role as an Auditor?
Critical thinking + Priority management + Communication = A good auditor
How has your technical and operational experience assisted you in your role?
I would say that the longer you are on a job, the more experience you gain, and the better you get. So, I can say that my experiences have assisted me tremendously in my role as an auditor.
What was your main reason(s) to select Perth as your study destination?
Honestly, the first reason was my father, who has his own mind anyway. And the second one was an offer from UWA.
What have you enjoyed the most about living and studying in Perth?
The opportunity to have balance – the balance between the metropolitan and nature; the balance between a wild crowd and a quiet space; and the balance between exploring and developing myself.
What would you say to students thinking of coming to Perth to study?
To those who are more adventurous, Perth has the right balance for you! Study during the week and you can enjoy fun activities during the weekend or vacation. There are nature hikes, beaches and, not to forget, great cafés around.
To those who want more assurance, Perth might be the right stepping stone for you to expose yourself to the world.
Did you use any of the StudyPerth service offerings during your time studying? And if so, which support services were helpful?
There were two services offered by StudyPerth which were particularly memorable for me.
The first is the Welcome Service offered at the Perth Airport. The welcome packs were helpful for us, giving us a starting point for us to settle down (rather than starting from scratch).
Another thing I found helpful was the newsletters, which I find interesting. For things that I (kind of) know, they act as a reminder (e.g. Remind me to take care of my health during the exam periods). For things that I do not know, they act as an eye-opener (e.g. information on travels and things to do during holidays).