Hiromi finds the best of both worlds

Despite being an Auckland girl through and through, she spent a short stint in Rarotonga before starting school, and lived in London for a couple of years teaching and nannying.

"After having a couple of kids of my own, I decided I wanted a career change and had a general interest in Bookkeeping"

Hiromi says. So, she decided to switch her career from helping raise kids to helping raise revenue with The Career Academy's Certificate in Bookkeeping.

For Hiromi, the flexibility of study at The Career Academy made all of the difference. "I liked being able to do the entire course at home, my daughter was only 10 weeks at the time, so I appreciated having the flexibility to study within my own pace. I could choose which days I wanted to commit to study - so I was able to balance study with my personal life." Studying when, where and how she liked meant that Hiromi didn't have to choose between the life she had and the life she wanted to achieve for herself.

And once Hiromi reach the end of her course - her hard work paid off! She took advantage of The Career Academy's Career Centre, a service built to help students find their dream role after graduating. She spotted a bookkeeping role with The Back Office Company, applied for it, and got the job!

"I am really enjoying the challenge of something new." Hiromi says of her new position as a bookkeeper. "I am able to establish a new career around the kids and it fits in really well with family life. A new challenge is always good! I really appreciate the support from The Back Office Company - they have really helped me progress into this role and without the support it wouldn't be possible for me to do this role."

Hiromi is taking the first steps in her new career - and you can too. The Certificate in Bookkeeping will let you become a certified bookkeeper in just 10 weeks, putting you on the path to work as a bookkeeper, or start your own bookkeeping business. You'll also get access to the MYOB partner program, and get six months free access to MYOB, and receive the Official Xero Advisor Certification on completion.

A new odyssey in accounting

The Greeks are no strangers to an Odyssey, but George started one of his own when he uprooted from Greece and moved his family halfway across the world in 2012. "I think the transition has been easier for our boys than for my wife and I." he says. "They're younger and they're surrounded by English-speakers at school every day. They often correct our English - but that's good, it helps us improve even more!"

With more than 20 years professional experience as a Dentist, George found that his Greek qualifications weren't recognized globally, and that re-qualifying would be like pulling teeth - literally. Instead of dealing with the arduous, lengthy, and expensive process of re-qualifying, George decided to take his first tentative steps in a new career.

At first, George was considering a career in tourism, but considering that "I'm not in my twenties anymore," and that he had a proven record of business acumen, he instead opted to begin a career in accountancy. Attending polytechnic was not appealing; it was more costly than online learning, and would seriously cut into the hours where George could be earning an income.

So, he searched online and found The Career Academy's Certificate in Accounting. From his first phone call, it was obvious George had made the right choice. Amy (his one-on-one student advisor) was patient and kind on the telephone, carefully answering his questions, explaining how online learning would look (you can see it for yourself here), and letting him know he'd be supported every step of the way.

Studying around his temporary job at a fast-food restaurant, George successfully completed the 140 hour course in just seven weeks. George's online experience at The Career Academy was so good, he decided to take a second course, this time in the Diploma in Accounting, which expands on the core concepts he learned while studying the Certificate. Ultimately, George has his sights set on becoming an Accounting Technician, and he likely won't be far away with the certificate's endorsement by the International Association of Accounting Professionals. The course also includes up to six months access to MYOB and allows students to receive the official Xero Advisor Certification, so George will be well equipped with the tools of the trade.

George's Odyssey is far from over, but if you want to follow in his footsteps check out the Certificate or Diploma in Accounting and you can get started immediately.

Nikki Takes the Wheel in Her New Career

Nikki has been a rally co-driver for many years, sitting in the co-pilot seat of her father's car. Recently she bought a rally car of her own, which will let her step into the driver's seat. But the racetrack isn't the only place that Nikki is taking the wheel.

In her quest for a more fulfilling career, Nikki chose to study at The Career Academy. 'The team at The Career Academy really know how to support and guide people towards their goals.' Nikki says. Every student at The Career Academy receives one-on-one time with one of our student advisors prior to enrolling, unlimited tutor support when they're working through their course, and access to the Career Centre after they graduate to help them find their dream job.

Eventually, she completed the Certificate in Accounts Administration and Payroll , the Certificate in Accounting , and the Diploma in Accounting .

Not only did these courses let her learn the tools of the trade in a flexible online learning environment, but they also gave her the invaluable industry accreditations that make the difference when it comes to getting offered a job over another candidate. Through her course, Nikki was able to become a fully qualified Accounting Technician, as well as gain membership to the Institute of Public Accountants.

With these qualifications under her belt (or rather her helmet), Nikki went on the job hunt. With her skills, it wasn't long before she was able to find a job at Robinson Interiors, which provides fit outs for super yachts. Between her new role and the rally car driving Nikki is making a life of working with vehicles that most of us would only dream of. Her day-to-day involves daily office management, Acting as PA to the CEO, as well as performing the main financial functions for the business, all thanks to the skills she learned at The Career Academy.

The team at The Career Academy were so impressed with her skills that we went on to offer her a job as an Accounting Tutor which proved a great fit, as Nikki was able to offer sage advice as a former student. There's nothing more rewarding than being able to focus on helping people along their own educational journey.

Nikki wasn't the first former student who went on become a tutor, and she certainly won't be the last. If you want to follow in her footsteps, you can enrol in the Certificate in Accounting to learn the fundamentals of accounting, and then go on to the Diploma in Accounting to learn even more advanced skills.