The opportunity of a lifetime: from Canada to NZ

When I was first approached about doing a work exchange in New Zealand, I didn’t hesitate for a second. As soon as our office administrator mentioned the opportunity, I instantly said yes. I love travelling, and this was a huge chance to explore a country I’d never been to before. In fact, I’d never even been to the southern hemisphere, so New Zealand (and Australia) were uncharted territory for me.

The work exchange program is part of our AGN network, connecting my firm, Adams and Miles (A&M), in Canada, with Gilligan Sheppard (GS) in New Zealand. I’m actually the third person from our company to participate, following in the footsteps of two colleagues who came before me. The program’s purpose is to see how GS works, identify what works well and what doesn’t, and potentially bring back ideas for improvement to our home office. It’s a great way to get some fresh perspectives and share ideas across the firms.

Culture shock?

Arriving in New Zealand was exciting, and I knew I was in for some differences, but to be honest Canada and New Zealand are very similar. Both are Commonwealth countries with indigenous populations and a focus on immigration. This made the transition relatively smooth, with no real culture shock to speak of (except for driving on the left side of the road and getting used to the fact that ice hockey isn’t as mainstream in New Zealand as it is back home).

One notably different thing, though, was the work culture at GS. Naturally, I was a bit nervous coming into a new office with people I didn’t know, especially since I was representing A&M, but the environment at GS really made me feel welcomed and at ease. It starts from the top with Bruce, one of the partners, who’s quite an interesting character. His easy-going attitude trickles down through the organisation, creating a relaxed atmosphere where you can chat casually with colleagues. (By the way, the answer to Bruce’s question is 33 cents. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, check out his latest blue deck chair article on loyalty cards).

The office layout also contributes to this—everyone sits in the same area, unlike back home, where partners and managers have separate offices. What’s great about this kind of atmosphere is that it never feels stress-inducing and encourages interaction between the teams. If you’re ever struggling or have questions, everyone is more than willing to help and work together to come up with a solution.

Challenges and learning curves

Learning the New Zealand tax system has been my biggest challenge. In Canada, I primarily work with non-profits and charities, which don’t deal with taxes in the same way. Here, I’ve had to dive headfirst into tax preparation. Luckily, it’s not as complex as the Canadian system, but it’s still been a steep learning curve.

The software systems here are different, too. While we use QuickBooks and other specialised software back home, GS primarily uses Xero for accounting. I had to get up to speed quickly, even completing a certification in my first few weeks. The workflow management system, Karbon, also took a while for me to understand, but I’ve adapted pretty well.

One aspect of the job I’ve really enjoyed is the opportunity to improve my reviewing skills and work with new clients. I recently got promoted to a supervisor position back home, which involves preparing complex audit file sections and reviewing my colleagues’ work. At GS, I’ve had more chances to review work, especially since they use a lot of outsourcing. This experience will be invaluable when I return to Canada and take on more reviewing responsibilities.

The great outdoors

Outside of work, I’ve been making the most of my time in New Zealand. I’ve explored quite a bit of the North Island, thanks in large part to Debra, who’s been lending me her car. I’ve visited Hobbiton (I’m a huge fan), climbed Rangitoto, an active volcano, and took a trip north where we saw the Mangawhai Cliff Walk, visited Waitangi and checked out the kauri trees on the West Coast.

One thing I’ve really enjoyed about travelling in New Zealand is the opportunity to explore the wilderness. Unlike my previous trips to places like Italy or Spain, where the focus was on history and architecture, New Zealand offers a chance to get out into nature. I’ve been doing a lot of solo hiking, which feels safe and peaceful here since there are no dangerous animals to worry about.

The people here have been incredibly welcoming. Deb, in particular, has been amazing—I feel like an adopted Canadian and have spent nearly half my time here at her place. And I got to experience the one thing I was looking forward to most, which was getting to watch an All Blacks rugby game live.

Looking back…

Now that my work exchange is ending, I can confidently say that I have absolutely no regrets. This work exchange has been an incredible opportunity for me to grow, both personally and professionally. I’ve expanded my skill set and work with new clients, experience a different work environment, built my confidence, and, on top of that, explored a new country.

I know I’ll miss a lot of things about GS and New Zealand once I head back home, particularly the coffee, but even more so, I’ll miss the people. I’ve grown really attached to the team here, and I think it’s why I now feel such a strong connection to New Zealand. Overall, this experience has just reinforced my love for travel, and I have no doubt I’ll be back someday.