When you think of accounting, you might picture calculators, spreadsheets, and long hours crunching numbers. But for university student Kai, it’s so much more than that. It’s about culture, purpose, and making a real difference for his whānau and wider Māori community.
In this warm and insightful interview, Kai shares how his early exposure to accounting in high school sparked a genuine passion; and how that passion is now guiding him toward a career filled with possibilities. Now in his second year studying Accounting and Commercial Law, Kai sees accounting not only as a versatile profession but as a powerful way to uplift his people through financial literacy. For Kai, accounting isn’t just a job; it’s a global passport, a chance to travel, create impact, and stay true to his roots.
Tune in to Kai’s insider insights to discover:
- How accounting skills can take you anywhere; from boardrooms to racetracks.
- The real-world impact accountants can make on whānau and community.
- Why CA ANZ is an amazing support network for Māori and Pasifika students.
- The truth about accounting: it’s way more versatile than you think.
- How scholarships and mentorship helped Kai take his first big step.
And much, much more!
Find Out More
Let’s be real; when you think about accounting, “exciting” might not be the first word that comes to mind. But Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) is flipping that idea on its head. They’re not just about balance sheets and tax returns. They’re about helping you launch a career that matters, one that’s full of freedom, growth, and global possibilities.
What makes CA ANZ different? They’re seriously committed to helping young people break into the business world with confidence. From generous scholarships to internships like the Achiever Program, they make sure students like Kai don’t just dream big, but have the support to actually make it happen.
Plus, CA ANZ isn’t just about professional success; they care about who you are as a person. They actively support students bringing their culture, values, and identity into their careers. So you’re not just learning how to do business; you’re learning how to do business your way.
Thinking about accounting but not sure if it’s your thing? With CA ANZ in your corner, you’ll be surprised how far it can take you. To learn more and kickstart your accounting career the right way, learn more about Chartered Accountant’s ANZ today!
Video Transcript
If you’re looking for a career that’s versatile and full of opportunities across different industries while letting you uphold your Māori values, accounting could be the perfect fit.
Kia ora, Hello, my name is Kai Brock Smith and I am in my second year of university studying Accounting and Commercial Law.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in accounting?
A: I was fortunate enough to be able to take accounting in high school so I got a pretty good understanding of it and I could see how that would benefit my future for my whānau, my iwi, my friends also.
Q: How do you explain what accounting is to your friends?
A: I’d usually tell my mates that accounting is about keeping track of money and helping people and also businesses to be able to make smarter financial choices, which is all important for everybody, including myself. And I also tell them that accounting is also very, very, very transferable. You can use those skills anywhere in the world, in any industry.
Q: What are your dream careers opportunities?
A: My dream career would probably stem from my love of everything to do with motorsport. I’ve always been super interested in cars, motorbikes, anything with an engine really.
Another one of my goals is to be able to inspire other young Māori students or kids who are even thinking about a role in accounting that they can dream big and that they can take their culture and also what they’ve learnt at university anywhere in the world.
Q: What epic things can accounting help you achieve?
A: Improving the financial literacy of my people. So I’ll be able to uplift them and hopefully help them to make better choices and see their money go a lot further than how they would have before.
Q: What resources are available for Māori and Pasifika students?
A: I’d say that there is a tonne of support out there, you just have to know where to look. I was fortunate enough to be able to get a scholarship which allowed me to attend university. Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand also offer scholarships.
Aside from the financial side, there are also firms such as KPMG that do a Kiwa mentoring programme. I was fortunate enough to be able to have gone to that and that proved to be very beneficial.
I learnt a lot of skills, such as like one elevator pitch is, which can be very, I guess beneficial for you to be able to get an internship when you get into your second year and potentially even a grad role.
Q: Got any advice for someone unsure about accounting?
A: So when I was in high school, obviously I was much like how you guys probably are: quite unsure of what you want to be doing as it is quite, I guess, important and it can be a very daunting task to decide on what you want to be doing.
So with saying that, I would say that accounting isn’t just about the numbers, it’s about building relationships and making a difference for your whānau and your community.
