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Local business celebrates staff success

A locally owned and operated business will celebrate a significant event when four staff members are amongst 935 students taking part in La Trobe University graduation ceremonies in Bendigo on Thursday, 8 May and Friday, 9 May.

Holly Charity, Melanie Good, Patrick Jennings and Merryn Rogan all work at Strategem Financial Group and all will graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from La Trobe University on Friday, 9 May.

Strategem Financial Group CEO, Mr David Richardson, said he is delighted that two local organisations are working together to produce the expertise that meets the needs of Bendigo businesses and the community.

"Strategem is a regional leader in providing support and services to local businesses and individuals and La Trobe is a leader in regional education. It's wonderful that, together, we can educate and train local people in disciplines that are needed and put them to good use in supporting business and the local community," Mr Richardson said.

Mr Richardson said that Strategem has a philosophy of employing local people and promoting from within the firm rather than externally.

"We bring graduates in at the base level and promote staff into vacancies as the company grows," Mr Richardson said.

As an employer, Strategem is sympathetic to the need for flexibility when a study program is combined with work. Each of the four graduating staff has also been supported during their studies by a partner in the firm who acts as their mentor.

Strategem is an independent tax and accounting and wealth creation services business with its own Australian financial services licence.

Seven of the eight partners of Strategem are La Trobe University graduates, as is their CEO.

As well as contributing to La Trobe University advisory groups and working parties, Strategem staff are also guest lecturers on particular industry topics at the University.

Please see brief profiles of the four graduates below.

To arrange an interview or for further information, please contact:
Zerin Knight, La Trobe University, Media Liaison, Bendigo Campus
Phone: 03 5444 7375
Mobile: 0428 463 161
Email: z.knight@latrobe.edu.au
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/vacentre/

The graduates

Melanie Good (Mentor, Andrew Davies, CA)

Melanie came from Charlton where there were only 12 students in year 12. She enjoyed the small classes, one-on-one help from tutors and the regional location of La Trobe University, Bendigo campus.

At age 16, a career in accounting was an easy decision for Melanie, who enjoyed maths and accounting at high school.

During her time at La Trobe University, Melanie played hockey in the Bendigo league as a member of the Senjuns Hockey Club.

Melanie studied full time at La Trobe before joining Stategem in December 2006. When she joined the firm, Melanie accepted an offer to take on superannuation. Whilst this role was initially intended to be for three months, Melanie enjoyed working on superannuation and decided to continue in that specialty.

Melanie has a very good relationship with her mentor, who has helped immensely by using diagrams and visual aids to demonstrate the intricacies of superannuation. Like the other graduating students, Melanie now also does taxation work.

Melanie has just completed the first subject of CPA, with another five to do.

"There's a big difference in theory and practice. It's good to have theory behind you; the theory has proven to be very useful in my work," Melanie said.

Holly Charity (Mentor, Chris Harrington, CPA)

Holly is proud to have combined work and study and built a home by the time she was 21.

A supportive teacher and an accounting minded mother were the inspiration for Holly's career choice in accounting.

Studying at La Trobe enabled Holly to stay in Bendigo, close to her family. With their support Holly and her partner were able to build a house last year while she was studying. Holly said it was great to get a university degree in her home town. She said it would have cost a lot more to go to another university.

When she started work at Strategem, Holly was a full time student in her second year at La Trobe University. Holly said one of the great things about working at Strategem is that they are a really flexible employer; if she needed time off for study, it was okay. This flexibility, coupled with the support of her mentor and other staff, helped Holly through a period that she describes as "challenging at times."

Holly has now worked at Strategem for three years and said it feels like home. She said Strategem is a great place to work and that they really look after their staff.

Holly has just completed her first CPA subject and has five more to do.

Patrick Jennings (Mentor, Trevor Elliott, CPA)

As a member of the Bendigo Braves basketball team, Pat's physical fitness is plain for all to see. And when he graduates on Friday, 9 May, with a Bachelor of Commerce from La Trobe University, Pat's mental acuity will be equally clear.

A keen sportsman, Pat has played with the Braves since he was 18 and, at 23, is now in his sixth season as a professional basketball player. Pat chose accounting as a career because he was good at it at school.

An affinity with numbers is a family trait. Pat's sister is a bookkeeper while his older brother worked at Strategem before he went overseas to London.

With a recommendation from his brother that Strategem is a good place to work, Pat joined the company in September 2006 whilst studying part time. He has been a full time employee since November 2007.

Pat enjoys living, studying and working in Bendigo. He said La Trobe is good for rural students who don't want to leave home or don't want to go to the city. The great teachers and relaxed Bendigo campus mean that students get the same value here as those who attend Melbourne universities.

At work, Pat said he's in a good team with four other staff and enjoys a lot of guidance from his mentor and team leader and from other team members. Like his mentor, Pat is focussing on taxation.

Merryn Rogan (Mentor Sharon Gleeson, CPA)

Merryn left high school with an enviable ENTER score of 98 and has continued to excel throughout her university studies. Her academic record includes the Dean's commendation two consecutive years and the CPA award for the highest achiever in the course for three years running. (The Dean's commendation for this year will be announced in July).

Merryn said living on campus for the first two years gave her a great start to uni life at La Trobe and was a good way to meet people and make friends. She found La Trobe lecturers really approachable for problems or questions.

Merryn's advice to students considering accounting as a career is that they have to enjoy what they are doing. She said that the commerce degree provides many opportunities and lots of different pathways - not just in accounting.

Working at Strategem, Merryn enjoys the company of fellow graduates along with more experienced colleagues. Merryn finds her mentor very approachable and said her step by step approach to explain things about the job has been most helpful.