An unexpected path to accounting

Recently, someone asked me what sparked my interest in becoming an accountant, and it gave me a moment to pause and reflect. Accounting isn’t always the career that people dream about as kids, but once you’re in it, you begin to see just how impactful and rewarding it can be.

It wasn’t the career I dreamed of

For me, the path to accounting wasn’t laid out from the start. I didn’t grow up wanting to be an accountant. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a cardiologist. The human body was fascinating to me, especially the heart. How could something so small play such a vital role in keeping us alive? When I was 14 years old, I even had the rare opportunity to attend an open-heart surgery. I stood right next to the patient’s head and watched the procedure unfold, getting a full view of the heart, lungs and other organs up close. It might not have been for everyone, but for me it was an unforgettable experience.

For a long time, I thought medicine was my path. But as I grew older, my interests began to shift. While I still had the desire to help people and solve problems, I realised that my strengths leaned more toward analysis, structure and understanding systems. That turning point came when I started studying accounting in school. It wasn’t something I pursued with a strong sense of purpose at first. It just felt like a sensible path. But the more I learned and the deeper I delved, I realised I really loved working with numbers!

When the numbers finally clicked

There was a strange sense of satisfaction in solving accounting problems, understanding financial statements and, most of all, when the balance sheet finally tallied. That feeling of everything aligning perfectly sparked something in me. It was like an itch in my brain was finally being satisfied. It was structured, logical and deeply rewarding. Slowly but surely, I began to see a new path open up, one where I could still solve problems, still help people, but through numbers instead of medicine.

Fuelled by this new interest, I went on to complete a Bachelor of Commerce, which gave me a strong foundation in accounting, economics and business principles. I then followed that with a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), majoring in Finance. These studies gave me both the technical skills and broader strategic insight I needed to navigate the financial world confidently.

A detour into anti-money laundering

When I moved to New Zealand, life took a turn. I landed in a role that was completely unrelated to accounting – I was assisting with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) compliance. It was an unusual start, but it opened my eyes to another world: compliance and regulation. I found it fascinating, and it sparked a new interest in understanding how businesses operate within rules and ethical frameworks.

I stayed with that firm for a couple of years, immersing myself in compliance work and gaining a deeper appreciation for the role of governance in business. But I always felt like something was missing.

Finding the right fit

Then one day, I walked into Gilligan Sheppard, and something just clicked. The environment, the people, the energy… it felt right. I knew I was stepping into a place where I could grow, be challenged, and finally bring together my background in accounting, finance and compliance in a meaningful way.

A different kind of operating room

Working in an accounting firm like Gilligan Sheppard is nothing like the stereotypes. It’s dynamic, people-oriented and always evolving. It’s a mix of challenge, structure and constant learning. It’s not just about tax returns and spreadsheets (although there’s plenty of that!). The job involves problem-solving, building relationships, teamwork, and most importantly, adapting to changes. There’s also a deep sense of purpose that comes from helping clients make sound decisions, plan for the future, and stay compliant in a world that’s always shifting.

I may not have ended up in an operating room, but I still get to work in a role that’s about precision, care and making a difference. Accounting, for me, has been more than just numbers – it’s been about building trust, solving problems and finding balance (literally and figuratively).

The path might not always be straight, but sometimes the detours lead you exactly where you need to be.