With warm smiles and welcoming demeanours, Danielle Dimmick and Ellie Gowlett are the epitome of professional success. Although young, the two women have achieved so much in their emerging careers as Chartered Accountants (CAs). Both are currently managing large client accounts and have senior responsibilities within their departments.  

So how did Danielle and Ellie grow and develop their careers in such a short time? With the guidance and support of SRJWW. Through our Cadetship and Emerging Leaders programs, we offer aspiring young accountants the opportunity to create lifelong vocations. In the words of our managing director, Jason Croston, ‘Come for a job. Stay for a career.’  

Cadetships to catapult your career

At SRJWW, we’re passionate about giving young talent the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while studying. That’s why we launched our own Cadetship. 

Danielle was first introduced to our Cadetship program through her accounting teacher in high school. “My accounting teacher just said this is such a great opportunity,” Danielle smiles. “I didn’t really have the desire to go into the city, I wanted to work somewhere local. So SRJWW was the perfect fit.”

“I didn’t hear of any other opportunities with any accounting firms,” Ellie explains. Her school, Sandgate District State High School, only had five accounting students from years 10 to 12. “There’s not a lot of opportunities in this area. So when I heard about SRJWW’s Cadetship, I jumped on it.”

Our Cadetship allows year 12 or university students to undertake a Commerce or Business degree while gaining practical and priceless work experience. To assist in their career development, we provide all kinds of support, such as:

• Comprehensive induction and training 
• Mentoring and support from Senior Accountants, Managers and Directors
• In-house technical and soft skills training
• Paid study leave with a maximum of four days of study leave per calendar year (based on two days per subject every semester). 
• Monthly study and technology allowance. 

But even with all the extra support, Danielle and Ellie admit that they were still nervous. “SRJWW did a Cadetship evening night, so my dad came along with me,” Danielle says. “They went through the whole program and explained in detail what was expected of you. It was quite casual, and I liked that because going from high school to a professional job is quite daunting. So it was nice to actually go in and meet some other Cadets and get their experience and view on things.”

Ellie’s own self-doubt proved to be her biggest hurdle. “I was really nervous about whether I could commit to working part-time and studying at Uni,” she explains. “I guess I was more doubting myself. But after going to the Cadetship evening, I realised that it wouldn’t just be me there – there were other Cadets starting as well.” 

Thanks to our mentor program, Ellie found the courage to enrol. “Being assigned a buddy helped me heaps,” Ellie laughs. “Knowing that I had someone to help me find my feet for both Uni and work put my mind at ease and pushed me into applying.”    

Accelerate your career and apply for our Cadetship today.

The career journey continues

In 2018, after their Cadetship had finished, Ellie decided to stay with the SRJWW team and develop her career further. “I couldn’t have asked for better people to work with,” Ellie begins. “I feel like I can approach anyone with anything, big or small, and no one pushes you away or says that they don’t have time. I’m constantly learning new things, and I’ve grown so much in my experience and personal life because of what I’m being exposed to at work.”

Danielle, on the other hand, wanted to explore her options. “I was like, ‘okay, I’ve finished Uni. What do I want to do now?’ Danielle tried her hand at assistant accounting but decided it wasn’t for her due to the repetitive nature of the work. “I didn’t leave SRJWW because I didn’t like what I was doing – I loved what I was doing – but I wanted to have a go in a commercial accounting role.”

So what is it about SRJWW that made Danielle come back? The variety. “Working in audit, you think you have your day planned, and then a client will call, and it’s completely changed. It’s different every day – you even travel to different places.”

A workplace that supports personal growth & achievements

Building a successful life outside of the workplace was important to both Danielle and Ellie. So it was vital that they found a company that would support their personal growth as well as their professional development. 

Outside of the office, both Danielle and Ellie are strongly health and well-being-focused and enjoy a good work-life balance. Through hard work and careful planning, Danielle was able to purchase a home in 2021 with her partner. While Ellie has bought land with the intention of building her new home in early 2023. 

For both women, personal and professional satisfaction go hand in hand – so the choice to stay at SRJWW was an easy one. 

Becoming the leader they’ve always wanted to be

After Danielle graduated with her CA degree in June 2021, she was left feeling lost. “I actually had a chat with Jason during my yearly Performance and Development Review (PDR),” claims Danielle. “I said to Jason, ‘I don’t know what’s next. I’ve done my Uni, I’ve done my CA – what else is there? And then that’s when he brought up the Emerging Leaders Program.” 

Our Emerging Leaders Program is designed to develop our best-performing team members into the leaders we need now and in the future. Constructed around five core competency modules over the course of 18 months, this program consists of only 11 employees across multiple divisions. By the end of the program in December 2023, both Danielle and Ellie will have increased their professional capability as well as their personal growth and development. 

“The team in the program really do take an interest in what you want to achieve in your career,” Ellie elaborates. “We sat down with a principal or a director and put in place some achievable goals. And we’ve got fortnightly check-ins with our manager. Everyone wants to help you and support you, as well as give you advice to reach your goals based on what they’ve learned about you.”  

But the best thing about the Emerging Leaders Program, according to Danielle and Ellie? The support. “All the managers and directors regularly check in and see how I’m progressing and want to make sure there is an opportunity for us to move up in our careers.” Danielle states. 

Ellie agrees. “I feel like they’re always checking in on you just to make sure that you’re going where you want and that you’re happy at work. They want to ensure that you are progressing with your goals and that everything’s aligning up for you.”

Accelerate your career and become a leader in your industry with a supportive, knowledgeable team that works with you to develop your profession. If you’re looking for a proactive, encouraging accounting firm to team up with, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us here today.