Honesty the best policy for up-and-coming accountant

What makes your day at work?

My daily objective is to either secure or improve our clients' financial position. I love the work we do because it is relationship-based - the majority of my clients own their own businesses or are key managers.

I like the variety, although there's a lot of pressure to keep up-to-date on things like tax laws.

How did you get where you are today?

I'd always wanted to be a partner in a big accounting firm. I was 29 when I was admitted to the partnership - that was very young - but you'll find that if you make the client happy and they keep coming back for more services, then a firm has no choice but to make you a partner.

It's hard work in a professional firm, providing quality advice, services and getting on well with both my clients and colleagues would be the key factors.

What's the most important lesson you learnt on your way up?

Again, honesty, both to my clients and myself, would be the most important lesson. I'm pretty straight with my clients, they know I won't just tell them what they want to hear.

I'll tell them what I believe - and often it's not the short-term fix but the best medium to long-term strategy for their business, even if they don't like it.

How have you dealt with any pitfalls you have come across in your career?

Initially I thought I was expected to immediately know the answer to any question given to me.

I learnt the hard way, from a tough senior partner, when I tried to talk my way around a particular issue I was not totally knowledgeable about.

Since that day, I will not answer a question until I know it 100 per cent. [Clients] appreciate it if I say: "Let me look it up, and I'll call you back in 5 minutes."

What advice would you give to a young person starting out on a business career?

I deal with a lot of new graduates entering the workforce. Many are focused on chasing short-term financial rewards, as opposed to developing themselves.

Communication and management skills are essential these days, your technical ability should be a given, but at the higher levels they are hiring people with that "X" factor, that ability to get on with the staff, clients and colleagues that make up the culture of the organisation.

What is the biggest challenge for you and your organisation? For the New Zealand economy?

Keeping a balance in life between work and family is probably the biggest personal challenge.

For the economy, New Zealand must stay competitive from an international perspective and remember that we are a land of small/medium-sized businesses.

Businesses should also take care to plan well enough. [They] should have a detailed, thorough plan for the future that has various options - it makes them proactive, not reactive.

If a business heads out into the future without a plan, it's likely to end up on the rocks.

What one thing would have done differently in your career?

I was admitted into the partnership in a relatively short period of time.

To achieve this, I was engrossed in my career in New Zealand, but in hindsight, I wish I had pursued overseas secondment with the firm for a few years.

What other ambitions do you have?

Ultimately, I would one day like to hold a leadership position within our firm as I enjoy the professional environment, the work is challenging, and we have a great team.

How do you relax?

I've got a two-year-old son, Shasa, and outside of work I spend most of my time with him and my wife Tracey.

Every morning I go for a power-walk with Shasa in the pushchair and weekends usually include "Jumping Beans" and the zoo.

Cars are my other passion!

ROBBIE GIMBLETT

Position:Partner, assurance/business advisory services, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Auckalnd.

Age:33 years


* Robbie Gimblett spoke to Dita De Boni.