The secret to future-proofing your career

“I always had a strong passion for business and economics since high school and both my parents are accountants,” says D’Cruz, who took a Bachelor of Accounting Co-operative Scholarship at UTS buttressed by two six-month internships at American Express and Lion with a tight-knit cohort of 30 students.

“My accounting studies at university helped me to secure a role in the finance graduate program at Lendlease where I completed my CPA Program,” he says.

“However, I was looking for a new challenge after a few years and was able to pivot from a traditional corporate career to one of the world’s fastest-growing tech companies by utilising my transferrable technical and interpersonal skills.”

CPA Australia CEO Andrew Hunter says global financial trends and complexity mean that financial acumen and accounting skills are highly sought after.

“Accounting positions are in-demand, highly paid and global, but more importantly, accountants are regarded as strategic thinkers and leaders in a digital and data driven world.

“Many CPAs hold senior leadership positions and major global trends are behind the rising demand for accounting professionals. These trends are expected to continue,” says Hunter.

Hunter says accountants work in every sector and industry.

“The list of possible career paths is endless,” he remarks. “Increasingly, accounting skills and expertise are being sought out by employers in a range of industries.

“Demand for accounting professionals and skills is growing and will continue to do so. The roles in accounting are ever-expanding” says Hunter.

In recent years, demand for accountants with ESG technical skills has boomed, as environment-related disclosures shift to biodiversity and ecosystems.

“This trend is here to stay and there will be increasing demand for accountants to measure and assure sustainability performance.”

Hunter says demand is also rising for accountants with digital capabilities.

“Small and medium businesses rely on their accountants to provide strategic advice about their digital transformation and the potential benefits,” says Hunter.

“The future is disruptive and uncertain. Accounting professionals are trusted advisors whose skills can be relied upon to navigate this environment. The economy and business conditions are continually changing.”

Hunter says professionals can no longer rely on skills they learned at university to ensure they can achieve success in the future.

“You must ensure you are committed to life-long learning. Preparing yourself for the future requires sustained focus. A commitment to career development can involve courses, micro-credentials, formal training and mentoring.”

Hunter encourages people to consider the CPA Program, which not only trains people in the latest accounting and business trends “but also in highly transferrable leadership skills”.

Constantly evolving your capabilities with interdisciplinary skills is the best way to future proof your career, he says.

“It’s not possible to be at the top of your field without a regular focus on your own career development and skill set. Life-long learning is critical for all professionals, regardless of industry or occupation.

“Globally there have been some high profile companies making large scale redundancies. Ensuring your expertise is up to date helps provide protection against hardships like redundancies. Your skills are more valuable to your employer if you consistently work on improving them. Businesses will go to significant lengths to hold on to staff with highly valuable skills that are difficult to replace.

“If you face redundancy, having a sought-after skillset means you are more likely to land on your feet. Finding employment is easier if you have high quality, transferable skills and expertise that are in high demand.”

To learn more, visit www.cpaaustralia.com.au.