Having completed a degree in accounting and finance at Charles Sturt University (CSU) only three months ago, Ms Kate Sheringham is the perfect example of how a tertiary degree can take you places you only dreamed of going.

 

Ms Sheringham, aged 23 years, had always been good with numbers and excelled in business studies and economics at high school but decided on a career in accounting because of the opportunities open to her. “I knew that accounting was a profession in high demand that would open up a multitude of career paths and would also provide me with a skill that could take me anywhere in the world” she said.

 

Ms Sheringham grew up in the NSW Blue Mountains in an academically-minded household where furthering her education was encouraged and supported.  After school, she began working at a mid-tier accounting firm in Sydney’s CBD. “Around two weeks after finishing high school I commenced a cadetship with Nexia Court & Co and then began my university studies soon after.”

 

After initially studying internally at a Sydney university, Ms Sheringham found it difficult working full-time, attending night classes and commuting for over three hours each day, and so she decided to try distance education study through CSU.

 

“Charles Sturt University provided the flexibility and support that I needed to succeed in my studies; maintain a high quality of work throughout my cadetship; reduce daily travel time; and still find time for friends and family.”

 

Even though she is thriving at her current place of employment and embracing the wonderful opportunities available in the chartered environment, Ms Sheringham is excited about the future. “Ultimately, I would like to gain some commercial experience” she says. “I’d love to work in the food and beverage industry or even work as an accountant for a winery so that I can combine my skills with my interest in food and wine”.

 

In 2009, Ms Sheringham and a colleague entered an innovation competition for Nexia Australia & New Zealand. Their concept of a ‘National Recruitment Database and Collaborative Affiliation Strategy’ won an opportunity to present their idea to the Partners at the National Conference in Fiji. Since their success the idea has been adopted by many Nexia firms across Australia and New Zealand. That year Ms Sheringham also received a CSU Business Dean’s Award in recognition of outstanding academic performance.