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Contents Editor’s Welcome 6

President’s Address 7-8

About ASA 10

2015 Committee 12

Professional Experiences 15-16

2015 Events 17-19

Contact Us 20

A Beginner’s Guide to LinkedIn 19-22

Why Attending Lectures is Better Than Listening Online

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5 4 Reasons You Should Attend Lectures 20-22

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by Noel Boys

Setting up your Linked In profil

Welcome from the Editors

Welcome to our Opening Balance for 2015!

This edition of Opening Balance marks a new era for the Accounting Students’

Association, now in its fifteenth year! We have worked hard to modernise and

brighten up our triannual publication by using vivid colours and bold

arrangements.

Our aim is to provide our members with useful information that will assist in

preparing you to reach your career goals. Within our publication we will try to

give you valuable tips that can set you apart from the crowd, provide you with

accounts from those with past experience from professional services firms and

keep you up to date with opportunities available.

We hope you have an exciting 2015, and joining ASA is definitely a step in the

right direction. Ensure you follow us on social media to get all the latest

publications and updates!

Cameron Beer and Sopone Souphanh – Publications Team

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President’s Welcome

Welcome to all our new and returning members for 2015!

The Accounting Students’ Association is one of the most career focused student

societies in the Faculty of Business & Economics. Becoming a member is one of the

best decisions you can make to enhance your university experience! We have

another exciting year ahead!

With our strong and dedicated team, many of who have first-hand experience in

the professional services industry, ASA strives to offer you the most realistic and

effective platform for you to connect with your future employers.

Our esteemed range of sponsors, ranging from “The Big 4", mid-tier firms and

accreditation bodies, allow us to provide you with the most diverse range of

opportunities and career pathways to ensure you know exactly where you want

to take your degree. In addition to our value sponsors, we also value the support

we receive from the Student Union (UMSU), Careers & Employment, the

Commerce Student Centre, the Department of Accounting and the Faculty of

Business and Economics.

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Upcoming key highlights for 2015 include:

Our new feature event, 1st Year’s Professional Services Seminar, which will

allow our first year members to learn about programs from professional services

firms targeted specifically to them. This new event will give our sponsors a

streamlined channel to inform first year students about career pathways and

also give our members the chance to have any burning questions answered.

Our Q&A Panel Evening, allowing students to gain an insight into the

professional experiences of recent graduates and will provide an opportunity to

network with both panellists and Human Resources representatives from a range

of different firms.

Professional Development Week, hosted by our sponsors and the University’s

Careers & Employment team, which will assist you with structuring the perfect CV

as well as conducting mock assessment centres.

The Platinum Case Competition, which will be hosted by our Platinum Sponsor,

CPA. This will be a fantastic opportunity to work through a case study in teams

and present findings to an audience of established professionals.

Experts in Industry and Overseas Students’ Opportunities allowing for students

to network with experienced accountants and industry representatives so they

can be aware of career opportunities outside of professional services and in the

international market.

BBQs and Luncheons, where students have the opportunity to chat with our

sponsors in a casual environment.

I look forward to meeting you all at our events and wish you all the best in your

university journey!

Jordan Tan - President

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The Accounting Students’ Association (ASA) is a leading association at the

University of Melbourne that is run by students for the mutual benefit of students

and employers.

ASA was founded in 2001, in conjunction with the Department of Accounting at

the University of Melbourne, ASA is supported by the Faculty of Business and

Economics (FBE) and the University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU).

14 years later and the association is continuing stronger than ever to benefit our

members. We work in collaboration with major professional services and industry

firms including KPMG, Ernst and Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte and

Coles, as well as accounting accreditation bodies such as ICAA and CPA.

Our Objectives are to:

» increase our members’ exposure to a vast array of opportunities including,

but not limited to, organising various events which:

o provide a platform to meet other students doing a Commerce

degree

o provide the opportunity to network with professionals in the working

world, from graduates to managers to partners

o encourage personal and professional development

» Provide support material and information relevant to students studying a

commerce degree

» Liaising with University departments such as the Department of Accounting

and Careers and Employment to promote to our members the resources

these departments have to offer.

» Assisting students with their endeavours to become employable/employed

in a professional context

Now it is up to YOU

Keep an eye on our social media posts and look out for our posters around the

Spot at Uni and attend as many of our events as you can. The more exposure

you get, the more opportunities that will come your way!

Our Mission is to provide our members with the best value possible by aligning ourselves with professional services firms, accreditation bodies and companies in industry and organising events that will benefit you.

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‘I could only have done it at Deloitte’

When we hear this it means we’re inspiring our people to achieve their potential. So how do we do this? Our ongoing innovation combined with our commitment to a diverse and collaborative culture set us apart. You’ll be joining a firm with a relentless drive and passion for world class client service and a sense of shared responsibility for our place in our local communities that matches your own. What we do

As a leading professional services firm, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and its affiliates provide audit, tax, consulting, technology, risk management and financial advisory services through over 6,000 people throughout Australia and over 200,000 staff globally. Focused on the creation of value and growth, and known as an employer of choice for innovative human resources programs, we are dedicated to helping our clients and our people excel. In 2014 we were awarded the Employers of Choice for Gender Equality award by the Workplace Gender Equality

Agency (WGEA). This award was previously known as Employer of Choice for Women (EOWA), which we held for

11 consecutive years.

Additionally at the 2013 Financial Review Capital CFO Awards we were awarded Accounting Firm of the Year and Audit firm of the Year – this is the first time a firm has won both awards in the same year and is a testament to our people. So step into your future with one of our programs especially for applicants who are still studying at university. Our Deloitte Development Program

This two day interactive program offers you professional development, an insight into life at Deloitte and an advanced opportunity to secure a summer vacation position. You are eligible if you are in your 1st year of a 3 year degree, 2nd year of a 4 year degree or 3rd year of a 5 year degree.

Our Summer Vacation Program

This is your opportunity to gain practical and paid work experience. Spend three to eight weeks gaining exposure to client work, our award winning learning programs, and social events, with the prospect of securing a graduate position with the firm. If you’re in your penultimate year at university you are eligible to apply.

Our Graduate Program

Join us at Deloitte in early 2016 for a career that will stimulate, reward and motivate you like no other. Surrounded by a large peer group, you’ll be supported by a dedicated mentor and counselling team who will work with you to build your technical and business skills.

It’s your future. How far will you take it? graduates.deloitte.com.au

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First Year Program

Name: Mariah Cartsidimas

Program: Ernst & Young, Career Compass Program (for 1st year students)

Duration: 3 days

Activities:

Learning about the different service lines, meeting employees within the firm from

graduates to senior managers and partners.

Witness day-to-day workings and culture of the firm.

Highlights

Bike building team challenge for the Berry Street Foundation which was a chance for

participants to develop themselves as team members, whilst giving back to the

community at the same time.

Opportunity to be fast-tracked into a vacation work position.

“To say that it was an invaluable experience would be an understatement!”

Vacation Program

Name: Sean Cleary

Program: PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Vacation Work

Division: Private Clients – deals with unlisted companies and high net wealth individuals

Duration: 6 weeks over the summer break.

Activities:

Prepare and lodge tax returns, client statements

Consult with ATO

Experiencing the culture of the firm

Visiting the client’s offices to ensure control procedures were present

Highlights

The social life and culture amongst a young and welcoming team

PwC Christmas party

Building a network for the future

Could potentially lead to a graduate position.

My advice to anyone interested in vacation work would be to attend events,

talk to the friendly HR staff from the professional services firms and to apply

early.

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Cadetship

Name: Chris Tang

Program: Ernst & Young Cadetship

Division: Private Client Services

Duration: Two years, full-time work

Activities:

Developing technical skills on the go

Complete individual tax, trust or company tax returns

Studying part-time concurrently

Highlights

Able to complete first year of university as a full-time student before commencing work

Warm and welcoming atmosphere at EY

Working alongside a friendly team

Finding that learnt technical skills complement studies

“ Being a cadet has allowed me to gain invaluable experiences early, and has

also set up a solid pathway for my future career.”

Participating in as many professional experiences as you can assists with building

your network, developing your brand and gaining vital work experience that will

aid you when it comes to deciding where you want to take your career.

Where Will Accounting Take You?

Find out by applying to our

Professional Development Week We will take you to the offices of some of our sponsors’ offices to experience what it’s really like to work there.

You can also get your CV checked, practise your interview skills and perhaps even a tour of the firm’s offices.

PD Week will be in the last week of April

Follow us on Facebook to find out when applications open for this amazing experience!

Places are limited so get in early!!

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Welcome Back BBQ

12pm Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 – South Lawn A chance to mingle with other BCom students in a causal

environment, as well as getting the chance to meet our sponsors with

a free BBQ spread.

Q&A Evening

6.30pm Tuesday, March 17th 2015 – Sofitel

The Q&A Evening is now our flagship event, held each semester.

The event is catered and gives you the opportunity to ask panellists

representing our sponsors any questions that you would like to be

explored. Make sure to reserve a free seat early as venue

constraints mean places are limited. This year, the event will be held in conjunction with

Monash Accounting Students’ Association and Computing and Commerce Association.

CAIP – Day in the life of: Gunther Burghardt

12pm, 24th March 2015

A new event in 2015, run with the Centre for Accounting and Industry Partnerships (CAIP).

Gunther, Finance Director at Treasury Wine Estates will be coming to talk to students about his

career and what a day in the life of a CFO is like.

1st Year’s Professional Services Seminar

March 31st 2015

A new event for 2015 where representatives from our professional

services sponsors will talk to our first year members about the

opportunities that are on offer for them this year, including

development programs, internships and vacation work.

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Professional Development Week

Last Week of April 2015

Each day of this PD week is an opportunity to go to one of our

sponsors’ offices and complete a professional development session.

It will give you a great insight into working in one of these firms.

Please note that there are limited places, so look out for when

applications open on our Facebook page!!

CPA Platinum Case Competition

5th May 2015

Our platinum sponsor CPA will run a case study with members who

register a team. The winning team will receive a generous time for

their efforts. Great experience and preparation for the

professional working world as well as other case competitions on

offer at University.

CAIP: Auspost – Business Ready

12pm, 12th May 2015

An executive from Australia Post will bet talking students about their career and current

position. They will also discuss what it means to be business ready in the 21st century.

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Welcome Back BBQ

12pm, 28th July 2015

CAIP – Thought Leadership

12pm, 4th August 2015

Experts in Industry

12pm, 18th August 2015

International Students’ Careers Forum

12pm, 25th August 2015

Q&A Evening

6.30pm, 25th August

Alex Malley, - CEO of CPA Australia

TBC

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To ensure you keep up-to-date with everything ASA – our events, our

sponsors’ events and opportunities or some interesting articles – ensure

that you are following us online.

facebook.com/asamelb

@asamelb

@asamelb

Accounting Students’

Association (ASA) group

Also ensure that you regularly check our website and blog at

asamelb.com.au

contactus@asamelb.com.au Commerce Student Society Offices

233 Bouverie Street, Carlton

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In a nutshell, LinkedIn is an online version of your résumé that can viewed by potential employees and

colleagues online. It can also be seen as an advertisement for YOU! However, it is beyond just an

online resume, with the ability to network and seek out job opportunities.

More and more these days, employees will review your profile during the recruitment phase, so it is

important to not only have a profile, but to make it stand out from all the other candidates, and

ensure that it shows you in the best light!

Tips:

Fill your profile in completely

and include everything –

education, work experience,

professional development

programs, certifications,

volunteer work.

Use a profile picture that

demonstrates your professional

appearance and clearly

identifies you as a brand.

Use key words relevant to your

job interests which will attract

recruiters and repeat them

throughout your profile (e.g.

accounting, finance, retail,

mining)

Your summary should briefly

describe your current experience

and what your career objectives

are.

List all of the jobs (casual, part-

time and full-time) as well as any

internships, work experience etc.

Include skills used/learnt and what

your duties were.

Include high school and university

courses. Ensure that you include

your expected date of completion

for your course. Also mention your

extra-curricular activities and

clubs.

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List any volunteer work or causes

that you donate your time to.

This section is by no means

essential, but if you have any

volunteering experience, it does

look good to potential

employers.

Include any other languages you

are competent in.

Include key skills that you

believe you have. Your

connections will endorse you for

these.

Start building your network

(Begin with colleagues and

fellow students, then begin to

add professionals that you begin

to mingle with at networking

events)

In addition, you can customise

your profile by re-ordering the

sections, adding further sections

such as any honours or awards

you have received.

LinkedIn members can write references for you that display on your profile. You can ask your

lecturers or colleagues to write a reference on your profile as this will endorse you to potential

recruiters.

As you would with a resume, ensure that you are detailed and precise and make sure that you don’t

make any false claims or lie about anything.

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Noel Boys, Teaching Fellow at the Department of Business and Economics draws

inspiration from the ideas of Dr Albie Brooks to highlight to students why lecture-

capture does not substitute lecture attendance.

Student: Hi. You probably don’t remember me but you were my lecturer in IFA

last year. I’m applying to go on exchange next semester and I need an

academic reference.

Lecturer: Why me?

Student: Oh, ‘cos I really enjoyed listening to your lectures. You were funny and

made it sound interesting.

Lecturer: How flattering. I bet you say that to all your lecturers.

Student: No, just the ones I need an exchange reference from.

Lecturer: Hmm, anyway I just want to pick up on something – you just said you

enjoyed listening to my lectures. Did you actually go to any?

Student: Didn’t have to. It was all online. I just sat at home and listened.

Lecturer: I see. What if I was tell you that I can give you 4 good reasons why

attending lectures is better than listening to them at home?

Student: Go on.

Lecturer: Reason one. Studies show that the majority of communication is non-

verbal. Some say it is as high as 93% while a more conservative estimate puts it

around 65%. In any event, you get at least 2 and maybe as much as 13 times

more information being at my lectures rather than listening to them. For instance,

I may make a point in a lecture lauding the Hawks’ magnificent victory over

Fremantle by 15 points in front of 100,007 people at the MCG in Lecture 9 and

finishing off by saying this will be examinable while shaking my head. Those in

the audience get the non-verbal cue that they need not focus revision on it while

those who only listen from home will devote revision time to it.

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Student: Okay. So that explains why there were no questions about the Grand

Final in the exam. You know, after hearing the recording I did study that game

and during SWOTVAC I realised this amazingly coincidental statistic that

Hawthorn kicked 11 goals 11 behinds to win its 11th premiership. I was so

disappointed that I didn’t get the chance to use it.

(I may be embellishing the student’s response here. They may not have actually

said anything after “Okay” but I do find that statistic that he or she may or may

not have said amazing nevertheless.)

Lecturer: Reason Two. The recordings don’t do justice to some of what happens

in lectures. For instance, I bet the recording didn’t pick up the fact I jumped up

on the podium and did a tap dance in an attempt to make the lecture more

exciting for a student yawning in the front row. You can’t buy that sort of

entertainment but you’ve got to be there to get the real benefit!

Student: Funny you say that. The tape picked up this huge racket followed by all

this laughing and I didn’t know what was going on. It was only when I went to the

tute and heard students talking about it that I figured out what actually

happened. So you really did jump up on the podium?

Lecturer: That’s not the point! (Pause for moment of embarrassed pondering).

What is the point is that you obviously went to tutes so why not lectures?

Student: ‘Cos you get marks for going to tutes.

Lecturer: What about the pure love of learning? What about the insatiable

quest for knowledge? Are you saying everything you do is motivated by marks?

Next you’ll be telling me that if it’s not on the exam you’re not interested in

learning it!

[Awkward silence accompanied by bewildered look on student’s face leading to

a light bulb moment for lecturer.]

Lecturer: Okay, nice segue to Reason Three. Did you know I have evidence that

students who attend lectures do 10% better on the exam than those that don’t.

Student: What do you base that on?

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Lecturer: Because on several occasions across many semesters I have taken a roll

in lectures, collated the attendance data and done a comparative analysis of

student performance against level of attendance. Consistently the results show a

strong correlation between higher marks and attendance and that students who

attend all lectures score, on average, 10% better than those who attend only a

handful or less. Conclusion – attending lectures improves your result.

Student: You went to all that trouble taking a roll of 300+ students, ticking them

off, entering it on a spreadsheet and analysing it? Get a life. Next you’ll be

telling me you’ve solved every game of FreeCell and get a thrill out of Sudoku.

[Another awkward silence accompanied by bewildered look on lecturer’s face

leading to a light bulb moment for student.]

Lecturer: Moving on, Reason Four. Sometimes there is a technical glitch in which

the recording doesn’t work, even if it’s just briefly. If you are not there then you

miss out on a really crucial point.

Student: Yeah, in fact that happened to me a couple of times where the

recording was interrupted just after you were about to say something really

important about the exam. Then it would resume just as you started talking

about the next point. After it happened a few times I started wondering if you

were doing it deliberately just to annoy students who didn’t go to lectures.

[Awkward pause]

Lecturer: Look, the main thing is I reckon there are good reasons to go to lectures

and I guarantee I can make it worth your while.

Student: Sounds to me like you just love the sound of your own voice.

Lecturer: That’s not true. I’ve listened to the Echo recordings of my lectures and I

actually hate the sound of my own voice. It’s true I love talking but that’s

because I love someone else listening to my voice.

Student: Okay, so it’s not about students turning up to lectures because it’s in

their best interests; it’s because you want an audience to perform in front of.

[Silence as lecturer has another light bulb moment]

Student: Anyway, the reason I’m here is I need a reference so I can on

exchange. I want to gain from the cultural experience of sitting in my room

listening to lectures online while I’m in another country.

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