What's your job about?
PKF Melbourne is a progressive accounting firm that works with small to medium sized business across Australia, and beyond, while giving development opportunities to students and graduates to propel their future. I work in the Restructuring, Turnaround and Insolvency (RTI) division specifically working in daily cashbook operations. My role is an entry-level accounting position specifically designed for a student currently completing their university studies, seeking to gain real-world industry exposure and build a foundational base of knowledge in accounting. The main responsibilities of the role include, ensuring the correct classification and general upkeep of receipts and payments in the cashbook for the RTI division and lodge any necessary tax returns. A typical day would involve importing transactions incoming to firm and sending to various case-based operatives to classify transactions into cashbook, processing relevant receipt advices and making any payments such as employee wages or invoices sent to firm. Additionally, reconciling bank accounts on a monthly basis and preparing tax returns or Business Activity Statements (BAS) on a quarterly basis, making phone calls to ATO re various matters for the firm and assisting with statutory ASIC and ASFA forms.
What's your background?
I grew up in suburban Melbourne but spent my senior years of secondary education at boarding school in the countryside. After completing my final school year and first year of university during the extended Covid lockdown with restricted movement and online rather than face-to-face, I decided it was the right time to travel overseas and explore the world. I solo-travelled across sixteen different countries and three continents over the course of a year. During my travels, I had some diverse experiences such as working as a counsellor at a summer camp in Canada to working in an old-world pub in Edinburgh. Upon returning to Australia, I was faced with the challenge of re-adapting to student life in Melbourne after spending months overseas and was unsure of whether I was ready to resume a full-time study load. After some consideration, I applied for my current position at PKF through RMIT Internship Career Search Program while returning to my studies on a part-time basis. Since commencing with PKF, I have been in my current role for over ten months and have recently been offered to a more client focused role within the same division.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
This role would be suitable for an accounting student seeking an opportunity to engage in hands-on industry experience. To be successful, strong communication is key. The ability to take initiative and raise your hand when needed in tasks such as correctly classifying receipts and payments for the firm which assists colleagues in important decision-making and communicating various queries with the ATO. In addition, further skills include time management to prioritise tasks, manage deadlines and work efficiently, especially during peak periods such as EOFY or quarterly deadlines for tax return lodgements.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
The coolest part of my role is working in a professional corporate culture while gaining valuable hands-on industry experience. I really enjoy that this role provides the opportunity to interact with all levels of the company from junior employees to senior partners.
What are the limitations of your job?
As an entry level accounting operations role, there is limited opportunity for direct client interactions. The role potentially may not suit someone who already has a solid foundation and wanting to advance their skills beyond entry level accounting functions.
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