For plenty of students interested in accounting, the expected next step after Year 12 is university.
Mohammad chose another option.
He joined BDO through its High School Leavers Program and is now working as an Assistant Auditor, gaining professional experience while continuing his studies towards becoming a Chartered Accountant.
“I chose this pathway because I wanted to gain practical experience straight away while continuing my studies, and BDO offered the perfect balance of learning and professional development.”
Instead of spending several years studying before stepping into the profession, Mohammad has been able to do both at once. He’s already working with clients, learning from experienced colleagues and seeing what a career in accounting looks like day to day.
What does an auditor do?
If you’ve heard the word “audit” but aren’t entirely sure what it involves, you’re probably not alone.
Businesses produce financial statements that show things like how much money they’ve earned, what they own, what they owe and their overall financial position.
Auditors independently review those statements, along with the records and evidence behind them, to check that the information is accurate and gives a reliable picture of the organisation.
That can involve reviewing financial records, testing transactions, speaking with clients, understanding how a business operates and visiting client sites.
“What I enjoy the most about audit is the variety it offers, having to work with different clients, visiting client sites and gaining exposure to a wide range of industries.”
Working across different clients means Mohammad isn’t only learning about accounting. He’s also getting an inside look at how different organisations and industries operate.
For someone early in their career, that’s a lot of exposure in a relatively short amount of time.
The skill that matters most
Accounting might make you think of numbers first, but a big part of audit is working with people.
Auditors need to ask clients questions, understand the information they’re given, explain what they need and work closely with others in their team.
“The most important skill I’ve found when starting my career is definitely communication. A large part of the role involves interacting with clients and collaborating with your team, so being able to communicate effectively, clearly and professionally is essential.”
It’s a useful reminder for students considering accounting that technical knowledge is only one part of the job.
Being able to speak clearly, ask questions and work well with different people matters just as much once you’re in the workplace.
Going from school to a professional services firm
Moving from school into a professional services firm is a big change.
There are new systems to learn, different expectations, clients to work with and plenty of moments where you’ll need to ask someone for help.
That was one of the things Mohammad noticed early on at BDO.
“One thing that has surprised me since joining BDO is how welcoming and supportive everyone has been. People are always willing to answer questions, help and share their knowledge, despite me having taken a different pathway, especially through the High School Leavers Program.”
Starting through a different pathway didn’t mean being left to figure everything out on his own. Mohammad has been able to learn from the people around him while building confidence in both the technical and professional sides of the role.
How does BDO’s High School Leavers Program work?
BDO’s High School Leavers Program gives eligible school leavers the opportunity to start working in accounting without first completing a university degree.
Participants join BDO in a permanent, full-time role and earn a salary while completing the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand study pathway.
The pathway begins with CA Fundamentals before progressing through CA Foundations and the CA Program, ultimately working towards the Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting.
BDO covers CA Fundamentals course fees and provides dedicated study leave, with the overall pathway taking around four to five years.
So rather than treating study and work as two separate stages, the program lets participants build both their qualification and professional experience at the same time.
By the time Mohammad completes his studies, he’ll also have several years of experience working in the profession.
Could you take the same pathway?
If you’re interested in accounting but aren’t convinced full-time university is the right next step for you, BDO’s High School Leavers Program gives you another option to consider.
Applicants need to have completed high school-level mathematics and meet the program’s other eligibility requirements.
Applications for BDO’s 2027 High School Leavers Program are now open and close Sunday 20 September 2026.
Learn more about BDO’s High School Leavers Program, explore the available opportunities and find out how to apply.
