Arthur Elliott-Jones

Technical and numerical skills Arthur picked up studying Accounting set the stage for opportunities in the public and private sectors.

For me, initially, it was a toss-up between studying industrial design and commerce. I chose to study a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Taxation because I have always wanted to be a decision maker in the business world and I felt a degree in Accounting would put me in a good position to accomplish this goal. Alongside the technical and numerical skills, my studies taught me to think. Lecturers and tutors were involved in the industries that they were teaching and put what we were learning into context.

Tutoring in Taxation was an incredibly valuable and enjoyable experience for me. I have helped a wide range of students to do their best in the base-level second-year course. It is something I have really enjoyed and has helped me develop leadership, written communication, presentation, and time management skills, all the while reinforcing my own knowledge of taxation. I have worked in a number of roles during and before my time at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington that had a strong service orientation. It has always been important to me maintaining commitment to my work as well as contributing to the training of other staff.

I spent a summer as an intern as part of the International Tax team in the Policy and Strategy Department at Inland Revenue, researching and producing a report on the UK’s Diverted Profits Tax. This experience helped me to develop my research and writing skills as I was consistently provided with feedback on my work. I also gained valuable insights into the way the department functions and the way it interacts with government and other agencies and the business environment.

Confidence and willingness to put yourself out there are key, as well as showing how you can contribute value and not underselling yourself. Since graduating, my degree has opened up numerous opportunities—from an internship at Inland Revenue to a job at Xero, one of New Zealand’s most exciting start-ups. As a Customer Experience Specialist, I investigated and responded to a wide range of accounting queries, via email and over the phone. It required strong analytical skills along with excellent communication skills to ensure that Xero customers were provided with the best possible advice.

Update: Arthur is currently Reporting and Insights Analyst at Xero.