Telling a story with the numbers: Jade’s Accounting journey

Anytime she’s asked what drew her into the world of Accounting, Jade Magsanay will list three reasons:

1. It aligns with her detail-oriented nature and love for Excel. 
2. It’s a passion that she shares with her mother. 
3. It’s a chance for her to tell stories using numbers.

“Throughout my time at Melbourne Polytechnic, I learned a deeper understanding of what accounting really is,” she recalls, “beyond the surface, there is a thrill, the challenge of looking at a report and getting to say this happened or that happened or this will happen - it’s so powerful!”

Moving from the Philippines, Jade completed her Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping FNS40222 before proceeding to the Diploma of Accounting FNS50222 and then on to earn her Bachelor of Accounting.

“I found the three course pathway really helpful for me. It let me adjust to being in a new environment, build momentum and create a steady routine for study.”

The certificate level prepared her for the diploma which in turn, prepared her for the bachelor's
and ultimately for the job she is in now.

“Melbourne Polytechnic helped me to build really good study habits and get into the routine of independent learning,” she says. “The staff and lecturers were really patient, which I think is important, they were always ready and willing to offer us support.”

She adds, “I think the most valuable thing I learned was how to learn! What I mean is, how to ask the right questions and when to ask for help and think critically. Everything is learnable but you have to know how to learn it.”

Jade now spends her days as an Accounts Officer for a Logistics provider company in Keilor Park.

“One of my main hobbies is reading so I get my fill of words there, and then my job is numbers. My favourite thing is how both words and numbers can map out a journey or timeline of events.”

While she loves her current role and the success she has achieved so far, the sky's the limit for where Jade’s journey will take her next.

“Next would be to take the CPA or CA,” she says, “which is great because Melbourne Polytechnic is accredited by those professional bodies, so it would help me achieve that goal in the future, but for now, I’m quite happy with where my story is.”

For future students, Jade encourages trusting the process, enjoying the process and being unafraid to accept new challenges.