Number crunchers needed.….FAST
Friday 28th October
Local accountants support TAFE NSW North Coast Institute’s drive to address accounting skill shortages to provide opportunities to study for a career in accounting or bookkeeping in the local area.
Doug Atkinson of local accounting firm Walker Lynch Petersen says, “There is a shortage of people coming through with accounting qualifications, and it is an advantage to start with the level of skills and knowledge provided by the Certificate IV in Financial Services (Accounting) offered at TAFE.”
“There is an advantage to both the client and the accountant if bookkeepers in industry have the necessary skills and knowledge to produce meaningful accounts“said Mr Atkinson.
A recent study by Monash University shows that the number of students in Australia being trained in accounting is declining at a time when a rapid increase in demand for qualified accountants.
“What the results of this study means is that business is becoming more dependent on accountants from overseas,” said Ann Edmonds, Head Teacher, Business Faculty. “This has prompted the North Coast Institute to take a good look at what is needed and introduce a new course in accounting at Great Lakes Campus starting in 2006.”
ABL Chief Executive Mark Bethwaite said, “The latest data from the Federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations revealed there were more than 9,500 jobs in regional NSW unfilled. Demand for highly skilled workers – particularly accountants, town planners, property valuers and human resources managers – is expected to soar”.
Brad Drury from Lansdowne went back to study as a mature age student and completed the Cert IV in Financial Services last year. Today he is employed with a Forster accounting firm and said, “I would never have thought that I would be seriously considering going onto Uni next year to further a professional career in accounting, my successful studies at TAFE have changed my life.”
For more information on the accounting course opportunities available at TAFE NSW North Cost Institute, call 131 601 or log on to www.ncit.tafensw.edu.au.
