Distance Education study isn’t for everyone but for Charles Sturt University (CSU) accounting undergraduate, Mr Michael Spittles, it has meant he can start work in his chosen field whilst obtaining the qualifications needed to pursue his ultimate career.

 

Working as an undergraduate accountant at Morse Group in Dubbo, Mr Spittles began a degree in CSU’s Bachelor of Business (Accounting) after completing his HSC.

 

Studying whilst working in an accounting firm allowed Mr Spittles to apply his studies into his workplace immediately. “A lot of our clients were affected by the recent drought so it was reassuring that we could help by suggesting tax effective strategies to people who were battling. Now we’re in a good season and it’s brilliant to see the clients have made it through to the other side and are happier.”

 

At age 20, Mr Spittles has always been driven to succeed and knew as a high school student that he wanted to be an accountant.

 

“I had an interest in maths and knew that as an accountant I’d enter my career on a good salary that would only get better, as well as being able to remain in my home town.”

 

“I’d just finished my HSC and was offered a place in the course through early entry,” Mr Spittles says. “I thought it would be great to study at a university that was right on my doorstep in case I needed any face-to-face assistance but in the end, I found that the online support was enough.”

 

Using CSU’s Interact forums and course guides, Mr Spittles found the online learning environment easy to use.

 

 “The forum is awesome. I can grab lecture slides, share ideas with other students and have one-on-one support with my lecturers. I know a couple of people learning online and they agree it’s a good way to study.”

 

Although Mr Spittles has future plans of running his own business, he’s enjoying his accounting career. “It doesn’t matter what I’m doing as long as I’m happy, and for me happiness is working in the town I grew up in helping the people in the community build and manage their wealth.”